AI • Cardiology • Oncology • Reproductive & Women’s Health • Neuroscience
200+ ATTENDEES | KEYNOTES | EXPERT PANELS | INNOVATION SHOWCASE | NETWORKING |
200+ ATTENDEES | KEYNOTES | EXPERT PANELS | INNOVATION SHOWCASE | NETWORKING |
Where Healthcare Innovation, Investment & Access Come Together
October 30, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Boston University Questrom School of Business
595 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
The 2026 BU Health & Life Science Conference, featuring the Big Tree ACORN Summit, brings together 200+ healthcare and life sciences executives, investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and innovators for a dynamic day of connection, insight, and innovation.
Presented through a collaborative partnership between Boston University Questrom School of Business and Big Tree Innovation Fund & Start-Up Academy, ACORN focuses on five of healthcare’s most important areas of innovation and investment:
ACORN = AI • Cardiology • Oncology • Reproductive & Women’s Health • Neuroscience
Explore the innovation, investment, policies, partnerships, and solutions shaping the future of healthcare and expanding access to historically underfunded healthcare priorities.
One Day. Five Critical Sectors. 200+ Healthcare Leaders & Innovators.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Hear from an exceptional group of leaders representing healthcare, life sciences, investment, academia, policy, and entrepreneurship.
Speakers to be announced Soon!
WHAT TO EXPECT
A highly interactive day designed to connect leaders from across the healthcare and life sciences ecosystem.
Executive Networking
• Connect with healthcare executives, investors, founders, researchers, academics, policymakers, and emerging leaders.
Thought-Provoking Keynotes
• Hear perspectives from influential leaders on the future of healthcare innovation, policy, access, investment, and collaboration.
ACORN Spotlight Panels
• Explore emerging opportunities and challenges across AI, Cardiology, Oncology, Reproductive & Women’s Health, and Neuroscience.
Investor Perspectives
• Hear directly from investors about where capital is moving, what they are looking for, and the technologies and healthcare sectors capturing their attention.
Innovation Showcase
• Discover breakthrough companies and technologies addressing important unmet needs across the ACORN sectors.
Founder Perspectives
• Hear directly from healthcare entrepreneurs about the opportunities, challenges, and lessons behind bringing innovation from concept to impact.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The ACORN Summit is designed for leaders and innovators working across the healthcare and life sciences ecosystem, including:
• Healthcare & Life Sciences Executives looking to identify emerging technologies, partnerships, and market opportunities.
• Investors & Strategic Partners seeking innovative companies and insights into emerging healthcare sectors.
• Entrepreneurs & Founders building the next generation of MedTech, Digital Health, Biotech, Therapeutics, and Diagnostic solutions.
• Researchers & Academic Leaders interested in translating scientific and clinical innovation into real-world impact.
• Healthcare Professionals & Policymakers helping shape the future of healthcare delivery, access, and innovation.
• Students & Emerging Leaders looking to connect with executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators shaping the future of healthcare.
ACORN SUMMIT AGENDA
Arrival & Executive Networking: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
• Meet fellow attendees from across healthcare, life sciences, investment, academia, and the innovation ecosystem.
Welcome & Opening Remarks: 10:00 – 10:30 AM
• Setting the stage for ACORN 2026 and the opportunities ahead.
KEYNOTE | The Future of Healthcare Innovation: 10:30 – 11:00 AM
• Connecting Academia, Industry, Policy & Capital
KEYNOTE | From Innovation to Impact: 11:00 – 11:30 AM
• Policy & Healthcare Access
KEYNOTE | Investing for the Rest of US: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• A look at investment opportunities beyond traditional private funding mechanisms and how to unlock access for the rest of us.
Lunch & Networking: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
ACORN SPOTLIGHT | The Investor Panel Perspective: 1:00 – 1:30 PM
• Leading investors discuss the healthcare sectors, technologies, and opportunities shaping their investment strategies.
ACORN SPOTLIGHT | AI & the Future of Healthcare Panel: 1:30 – 2:00 PM
• Exploring how AI is transforming healthcare—from discovery and clinical decision-making to operations, patient engagement, and new models of care.
ACORN SPOTLIGHT | Reproductive & Women’s Health: 2:00 – 2:30 PM
• Examining innovation, investment, access, and unmet needs across reproductive and women's health.
Break: 2:30 – 3:00 PM
ACORN INNOVATION SHOWCASE: 3:00 – 3:45 PM
• Founder breakthroughs Across AI, Cardiology, Oncology, Reproductive & Women’s Health, and Neuroscience
THE FOUNDER PERSPECTIVE:3:45 – 4:30 PM
• ACORN Founders share their experiences building companies, navigating the healthcare ecosystem, raising capital, and translating innovation into impact.
Closing & Networking:4:30 – 5:00 PM
• Connect with speakers, investors, founders, executives, and fellow attendees as ACORN 2026 concludes.