The New Jersey Innovation Institute is calling for applications to participate in the seventh cycle of the successful Health IT Connections program, set to kick off October 6, 2017.

The Health IT Connections program was established in 2014 to grow the health IT cluster in the region by supporting growth-stage health IT entrepreneurs through intensive training and mentoring. In addition, the program helps drive cluster growth by connecting businesses to new customers, strategic partners and suppliers. The program is funded in part from JPMorgan Chase’s Small Business ForwardSM initiative. No fees or equity is required by entrepreneurs to participate.

 Now in its fourth year, the Health IT Connections program has successfully helped 75 companies develop new partnerships and connect to new business opportunities. Reporting companies achieved annualized revenue and job growth of 46 percent and 42 percent respectively. The Health IT Connections program has helped to develop the overall regional cluster by having hosted and sponsored more than 20 events, including a private pitch session for executives at a regional medical center.

 Judith Sheft, Associate vice president of Technology and Enterprise Development at NJII and the recipient of the grant notes, “The primary goal of our program is the growth and development of the Health IT sector in the greater NJ/NY region. As a nonprofit entity funded from outside the industry, we can serve as an honest broker between the healthcare organizations in need of 21st century solutions—hospitals, big pharma, insurers and the entrepreneurs who are developing tomorrow’s innovations.”

 Applications are currently open for Cohort 7 of the Health IT Connections program, slated to meet every other Friday from Oct. 6 to Dec. 15 (no relocation required). For more information visit www.njii.com/healthit   Applications available at https://judithsheft.wufoo.com/forms/z669z3a1j1u3bk/.