Epilepsy Foundation Allocates $250,000 in New Treatments at Shark Tank Competition

Epilepsy Foundation Awards $250,000 at Shark Tank Competition

The Epilepsy Foundation of America has made headlines by awarding a substantial $250,000 in funding during its 2026 Shark Tank Competition, held on June 18, 2026. This event took place during the Foundation's Pipeline Conference in Leesburg, Virginia, showcasing a gathering of innovators with a focus on advancing epilepsy treatment and care.

Spotlight on Innovation

The competition featured five finalists who presented pioneering ideas aimed at improving outcomes for individuals living with epilepsy. These groundbreaking concepts ranged from new therapies to community outreach initiatives designed to provide support to those affected by this chronic brain disorder. The awards, which total $250,000, are intended to bolster the development and commercialization of products and technologies that can significantly aid the epilepsy community.

Evaluations were conducted through a live audience and judge voting process, ensuring an interactive and engaging experience. The competition garnered sponsorship from the Danny Did Foundation, contributing to the event's success and focus on impactful healthcare solutions.

Categories of Excellence

This year, the competition featured two distinct award categories. The Community Award offers winners up to $50,000, while the Investment Prize provides a staggering $200,000 to the most innovative project. The judges, who included a diverse panel of community leaders, physicians, and industry experts, posed critical questions and determined the top projects through a rigorous voting process.

The 2026 Community Award went to Jainu Jogani from Child's Cure Genetic Research Foundation. Jogani is currently investigating allopurinol, a repurposed drug with potential applications for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Brin Freund, MD, from Mayo Clinic Florida, also participated as a finalist, proposing a non-invasive technique using neuromodulation technology to treat drug-resistant epilepsy.

On the other hand, the Investment Prize was awarded to Sydney Cash, MD, PhD, from NeuroWeaves. Cash is developing innovative thin gold-thread EEG electrodes that eliminate the need for glue and can provide hospital-quality EEG readings for over 30 days. This groundbreaking advancement promises improved quality of life for people living with epilepsy, as it allows for extended monitoring without the discomfort typically associated with traditional methods.

Further funding will be contingent upon successful due diligence and execution of necessary agreements. Other noteworthy finalists included Deven Sanon from Mosaica Medicines, who is working on a novel anti-seizure medication, and Andy Gotshalk from Neurologic Solutions, who presented the EpiScalp platform for assessing epilepsy risk based on EEG data.