Events and Recognition
Celebrating our journey, milestones, and the partnerships driving kidney wellness innovation
Awards and Achievements
AWS AI Pitch Competition at Maryland Innovation Center — 1st Place
VitalGuardian won 1st place at the Amazon Web Services AI Pitch Competition hosted by the Maryland Small Business Development Center at the Maryland Innovation Center, taking home a $50,000 award in professional services. The prize was presented by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. VitalGuardian's AI-powered kidney health platform stood out for its clinical impact, scalability, and commitment to early detection for underserved communities.
Women's AI Pitch Competition — Winner
VitalGuardian won the Women's AI Pitch Competition hosted by the Association of Black Women in Project & Program Management, in partnership with AWS and Softchoice, at Morgan State University's Earle Graves Business Center. Competing against innovative AI-powered solutions, our kidney health platform was recognized for its clinical rigor, equity focus, and real-world impact potential.
Johns Hopkins Ward Infinity Pitch Competition — Winner
Vital Guardian was selected as the winning team from the Johns Hopkins Ward Infinity Pitch Competition for our innovative approach to kidney wellness. The award supports continued product development, pilot preparation, and clinical validation.
Press & Media
Interview with SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator James "Jim" Spencer
VitalGuardian founder sits down with James "Jim" Spencer, U.S. Small Business Administration Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, to discuss the platform's mission, the AWS AI Pitch Competition win, and how federal small business resources are helping fuel kidney health innovation.
Watch on YouTubeRealLIST Startups DC & Maryland 2026
VitalGuardian was selected as one of Technical.ly's RealLIST Startups DC and Maryland 2026 — an annual spotlight on startups making an outsized impact across the region.
Read the feature
JHWI Ventures Recognized on Technical.ly's RealLIST
"A special shoutout to WearableDose, HealthLink360.ai, Regenova Pharma, and VitalGuardian — building at the intersection of health, technology, and real-world impact. Congratulations to these founders for raising the bar."
Accelerators and Programs
Johns Hopkins Ward Infinity
Selected for the Johns Hopkins Ward Infinity accelerator, receiving non-dilutive program support to advance product development and clinical readiness.
Luby Idea Track
Finalist in the Luby Idea Track Showcase for innovative healthcare solutions.
Partner With Us
Interested in joining our mission to transform kidney wellness? We're always looking for innovative partners who share our vision.
Get in Touch