BrightEdge LLC, the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) venture capital and impact investment arm, has announced a $5.25 million grant from the Dallas-based Lyda Hill Philanthropies (LHP) to establish an innovation acceleration program hub.

The largest donation to BrightEdge, which was created in 2019, will fund the ACS BrightEdge Texas Accelerator with the aim of addressing key obstacles that hinder advancement of cancer breakthroughs, including the lack of early-stage capital, talent development, and mentorship. To that end, the two-year pilot program will provide milestone-driven, proof-of-concept translational research grant funding that validates and de-risks technologies and pre-seed investments for early-stage oncology start-up companies. In addition, the program will create a network of ACS-affiliated advisors and partners for deal-sourcing, due diligence, and business support.

“This transformational gift establishes our first regional accelerator designed to bring innovative ideas to market faster,” said BrightEdge vice president of innovation and impact investing Alice Pomponio. “By leveraging vibrant cancer research funding across public and nonprofit sectors, we hope to deepen patient-centric impact and drive towards a future where discovery conquers cancer.”

“We are committed to investing in organizations making game-changing and transformational advances in science,” said LHP founder and Giving Pledge signatory Lyda Hill. “Through strategic investments, we aim to catalyze innovations that will not only save lives today but also shape a healthier, more equitable world for generations to come.”

(Photo credit: Lyda Hill Philanthropies)