For 2026, Heal.LA focuses on three core areas: 

• Female Health – maternal and infant health, reproductive care, menopause, and women’s cancers 
• Mental and Cognitive Health – neurodevelopment, trauma, depression, dementia, and addiction 
• Chronic Disease Prevention and Management – diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory illness

Heal.LA is designed to meet each Fellow where they are. Programming is highly individualized and tailored to your company’s specific stage, goals, and challenges, ensuring you receive the most relevant support throughout the nine months. 

Fellows gain access to: 

• Personalized mentorship – one-on-one guidance customized to your commercialization pathway, with mentors matched to your specific needs across clinical, regulatory, business, and market development 

• Group workshops covering discovery, market entry, regulatory strategy, fundraising, pitch deck development, and IP strategy 

• Visibility through Larta’s Ecosystem Action Network (EAN) 

• Potential catalytic funding via the Larta Impact Fund 

• Access to Larta’s national network of experts and alumni innovators 
  

Participation in Heal.LA is completely free and non-dilutive. We take no equity and charge no fees. Fellows receive full access to accelerator programming, mentorship, and ecosystem resources thanks to public and philanthropic support. 

Applications for the 2026 Cohort 2 are now open. The process is designed to be straightforward and accessible: 

1. Submit your application – Complete the online application form here, including a brief overview of your innovation, team, and target market 
2. Initial review – Our team reviews all submissions for eligibility and alignment with Heal.LA’s challenge areas 
3. Interview round – Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a brief interview with the Heal.LA selection team
4. Review committee – Select mentors and experts from the Heal.LA program review all application materials 
   
5. Selection and onboarding – Final Fellows are notified and begin onboarding ahead of the December 2026 program launch 
   

Application Timeline: 

• Application open: June 22 

• Application deadline: July 22 — applications submitted after this date will not be considered 

• Review period: July 23 through July 31 

• Interviews: August through September 

• Onboarding begins: November 

Fellows are selected through a competitive review process evaluating: 

• Innovation potential – the strength, novelty, and feasibility of the solution 

• Community relevance – alignment with the health needs of Los Angeles communities 

• Team capacity – the team’s ability to execute and grow during the program 

• Stage readiness – readiness to meaningfully engage with and benefit from the program’s resources 

• Commitment – willingness to actively participate and contribute to the Heal.LA cohort community

   

We aim to build a cohort that is diverse across innovation type, health focus area, and founder background. 

Heal.LA is a nine-month program. Cohort 2 runs from December 2026 through August 2027. Programming is primarily delivered remotely, giving Fellows the flexibility to participate from anywhere in the United States. There may also be opportunities for in-person engagements in Los Angeles throughout the program. 

Fellows should expect to dedicate approximately 100 hours over the nine months, averaging 10 to 12 hours per month, though engagement will vary. A typical month includes a 90-minute workshop and advisor meetings, with heavier periods around program deliverables and Demo Day. 

Programming is designed to be high-value and respectful of your time as a founder. 

The Heal.LA program is designed with flexibility in mind. The majority of program activities are conducted virtually, allowing Fellows to participate from anywhere in the United States. 

Throughout the program, select hybrid and in-person events are offered in Los Angeles, providing opportunities to engage directly with the Larta team and connect with Larta’s Ecosystem Action Network (EAN). 

Graduating from Heal.LA means joining the Larta ecosystem for good. Fellows become lifelong members of a growing community of innovators, and our relationship does not end when the program does. 

As alumni, companies can expect: 

• Continued ecosystem access – ongoing connection to Larta’s national network of experts, mentors, and fellow innovators 

• Ongoing opportunities – we actively share relevant funding opportunities, partnerships, and resources to support your continued growth 

• Visibility and recognition – we celebrate and elevate alumni successes across our ecosystem, helping amplify your story and impact 
• Community engagement – opportunities to give back as mentors, collaborators, or thought leaders within the Larta and Heal.LA community 
  

Yes. Heal.LA thrives on collaboration. We welcome mentors, community organizations, investors, and civic partners to share expertise and amplify the impact of Fellows’ innovations. 

Our network includes LA County DEO, LAEDC, BioscienceLA, and AltaMed Health Services (an FQHC). If you’re interested in getting involved, contact us here. 

The Larta Impact Fund, supported by the California Jobs First (CJF) program, provides catalytic capital to help Heal.LA Fellows validate, pilot, and scale their innovations in Los Angeles County.

Fellows may be eligible for Innovation Awards—non-dilutive funding for pilot, demonstration, or validation projects—ranging from $75,000 to $150,000.

The Fund uses low-interest loans, recoverable grants, and convertible notes to accelerate community-based deployment and measurable local impact.

With support from CJF/GO-Biz, CalOSBA, and philanthropic partners including The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and Gilead Sciences, the Fund helps position Heal.LA as one of the region’s most recognized and community-driven life science organizations focused on accelerating innovations in the sector.

CJF is a program of the State of California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). It supports inclusive economic growth and job creation through regionally driven initiatives.

Through CJF, Heal.LA leverages catalytic capital to advance health innovation, workforce development, and community resilience across Los Angeles County.

We’re happy to help. If you didn’t find the answer you were looking for, reach out to us directly by filling out our contact form here. A member of the Heal.LA team will get back to you as soon as possible. 

You can also stay connected and up to date by following Larta on LinkedIn and signing up for our newsletter here.