Future Hub – the destination at Annual Scientific Session for everyone interested in emerging technology – was a bustling, active locus that engaged a broad audience at ACC.19. In just one year from its launch, it doubled in capacity – a testament to this truly being a home for innovators and users alike.

Positioned to help cardiovascular practitioners network, learn and experience hands-on technology applications, it was also the site of the Future Hub Theater for lectures and talks, as well as the Vascular Shark Tank (see April Cardiology to read about the competition and winner).

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC, kicked off the Future Hub program with his Keynote titled The Future of Health Technology and Innovation. In another lecture, C. Michael Gibson, MD, FACC, reflected on the merits of the Apple Heart Study and presented the nuts and bolts of Johnson & Johnson's HEARTLINE study.

The TED-style talks and panels reflected on the personalization of heart failure diagnostics; advances in genomic medicine; merits of virtual medical visits; and artificial intelligence. Other talks focused on developing academic innovation programs, entrepreneurship and the lean start-up method to help provide some knowledge and skills for aspiring innovators.

Many exhibiting companies, large and small, such as Johnson & Johnson, MyoKardia, Heart Sciences and cliexa (and others, see box) had their innovation and future-focused team members stationed at their booths in the Future Hub to network with other innovators, connect with colleagues and gain valuable feedback on their technology solutions from cardiovascular professionals. It was a unique experience for those businesses and meeting attendees to interact in a meaningful way that enabled learning from each other.

Future Hub at ACC.19 had the distinct feel of a welcoming community of tech enthusiasts, innovators, entrepreneurs and clinicians, all in one area. Throughout the day there was always an engaging speaker or lively discussion at many of the interactive exhibits, meeting spaces or pitch events. Many industry-connected cardiologists frequented the Future Hub to connect with colleagues and network with other clinicians, academics and technology innovators.

This year, the ACC version of Shark Tank, an entrepreneurial pitch event, featured some incredible innovators in the digital health, artificial intelligence and medical device space. The innovative companies competed for the prize of AngelMD syndication along with booth space at ACC.20 in Chicago.

We are always working to make the Future Hub a true nexus for innovators and clinicians to network, see new ideas put into development, and to work together to fulfill the ACC mission of transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health. Have ideas or wish to participate in the Future Hub? Contact Lindsey Santamaria (lsantamaria@acc.org) to get involved!

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Keywords: ACC Publications, Cardiology Magazine, Entrepreneurship, Malus, Inventions, Biomedical Technology, Awards and Prizes, Artificial Intelligence, Heart Failure, Genomics, Resin Cements, ACC19, ACC Annual Scientific Session

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