This article is sponsored by MITRE.
MITRE, a nonprofit renowned for tackling the nation’s most complex challenges, is breaking new ground with its latest initiative, MITRE RISE.
This six-month accelerator is designed to help tech founders of color turn their innovative ideas into viable, real-world solutions, through hands-on mentorship, cutting-edge resources, and an extensive network of health and technology experts.
Their inaugural 2025 cohort is dedicated to accelerating the development of health IT solutions.
Applications for the 2025 program close on October 31, 2024.
Innovation through collaboration
Kike Oduba, founder of WellnessWits, a digital health company helping people manage chronic diseases, knows first-hand the value of MITRE’s collaborative approach.
“Working with MITRE is a rare opportunity that any startup founder building a solution for healthcare should jump at,” Oduba shares.
Oduba founded WellnessWits in 2018 after her journey with thyroid disease and experiences of finding community and connection online.
Kike Oduba, WellnessWits Founder
“I realized that many chronically ill patients rely on social media for support and information, often leading to medical misinformation, lack of trust, and poor adherence to treatments,” Obuda explains. “This realization drove me to create WellnessWits, where I focus on improving patient-provider relationships through what I call ‘Medical Group Hugs,’ or Group Therapeutics™.
Working with MITRE’s multidisciplinary team of experts helped Obuda validate her ideas for product development, data analytics, and AI modeling, bridging the gap between clinical knowledge and technical innovation.
Navigating Complex Healthcare Regulations
For health tech startups, navigating regulations can be one of the biggest challenges, and Oduba describes MITRE’s guidance in this area as “invaluable.”
Sheena Gill, President and CEO of CognitiveCare Americas, couldn’t agree more: “What truly sets MITRE apart is its distinctive position at the crossroads of industry, government, technology, and research, enabling it to offer exceptionally rich and interdisciplinary mentorship to companies.”
Gill’s background in science, public health, and law and her experience of preventable pregnancy losses drove her to join the founding team at CognitiveCare. The company uses AI to tackle healthcare disparities, improve access, and optimize resource allocation for vulnerable populations.
Sheena Gill, President & CEO, CogntiveCare Americas & Founding Team Member
“A business is like a multifaceted gem, with each facet needing to shine brightly for true success,” says Gill. “MITRE provides the interdisciplinary mentorship necessary to nurture every aspect—be it research and innovation, revenue generation, or navigating the complexities of the regulatory landscape.”
From Ideas to MVPs
Beyond mentorship, MITRE RISE provides founders access to state-of-the-art labs, allowing them to develop and test their minimum viable products (MVPs).
Participants also gain access to MITRE’s Software Wellness Center, Innovation Toolkit, and educational resources, including courses and workshops designed to refine both technical skills and health domain insights.
“MITRE has over 60 years working in the public interest, with over 20 years addressing health challenges,” shares Titilayo Ogunyale, Head of Corporate Social Innovation at MITRE.
“Through the MITRE RISE program, we support founders of color in transforming their ideas into impactful solutions, driving better health outcomes, stronger communities, and a more inclusive, diverse innovation ecosystem.”
MITRE RISE’s 2025 program will run from January 29 to July 17, 2025. Applications close on October 31, 2024.
