In A Heartbeat

What In A Heartbeat does

In A Heartbeat is a Connecticut-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2015 by Mike Papale, a sudden cardiac arrest survivor diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, to prevent death from cardiac events in children, teens, and young adults. The organization delivers five interconnected programs: a Cardiac Screening Program that provides free electrocardiograms (EKGs) with expert interpretation and follow-up care; an AED Program that donates Automated External Defibrillators and helps recipient organizations build trained-responder teams, Emergency Action Plans, and maintenance protocols; a CPR/AED Training Program that delivers American Heart Association-certified instruction; a Heart Safe School Program delivered in partnership with Project ADAM; and a Patient Support Program for survivors and families. Programs are offered at no cost to beneficiaries and operated across Connecticut and the broader Northeast, with at least one documented international deployment to Dingle, Ireland.

The organization does not develop proprietary software or AI technology; its core delivery relies on standard EKG acquisition equipment, Defibtech-manufactured AED hardware (supplied through a Platinum sponsorship), AHA-certified curriculum, and a volunteer network that includes medical professionals. Cumulative reported impact includes 995 AEDs placed, 12,002 EKGs provided, 8,929 people trained in CPR/AED, and 83 lives saved through combined programs.

The business model is donation-driven: In A Heartbeat is funded through individual donations, foundation grants, and a tiered corporate sponsorship program (Platinum, Gold, Premier, Heartbeat) with named Platinum sponsors including Microboard, Exposure, Defibtech, Quinnipiac University, and Post University Athletics. Revenue also comes from annual fundraising events such as the 11th Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for September 21, 2026. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors led by Mike Papale (President & CEO) and Joan Papale (Vice President), with the founder's personal survival story serving as the central brand and fundraising asset.

Name

In A Heartbeat

Legal name

In A Heartbeat, Inc.

Website

https://inaheartbeat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

In A Heartbeat is a Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that provides free cardiac screenings, AED donations, CPR/AED training, and patient support to prevent sudden cardiac arrest and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, primarily serving youth and schools in the Northeast US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cardiac Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Cardiac Rehabilitation & Secondary Prevention (HLAKABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cardiac Diagnostic Centers (Echo/Stress Testing/Holter) (HLAFAKAE), Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Education (CPR/First Aid/Disaster Readiness) (EDAAAFAJ)

Keywords

• Cardiac screening services
• AED donation programs
• CPR AED training
• Sudden cardiac arrest prevention
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy awareness

Headquarters

HQ city

Wallingford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, In A Heartbeat operates primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization runs an annual fund campaign and accepts donations through its secure donation portal.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: The organization receives financial support from corporate sponsors at various tiers (Platinum, Gold, Bronze, Premier, Heartbeat), including companies like Microboard, Exposure, Defibtech, Quinnipiac University, and Post University Athletics, as well as foundations such as Cuno Foundation, Tinty Foundation, and Town Fair Tire Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

In A Heartbeat is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that delivers five interconnected cardiac health programs free of charge: the Cardiac Screening Program (free EKGs for youth), the AED Program (donating defibrillators and supporting complete AED program setup), the CPR/AED Training Program (American Heart Association certified instruction), the Heart Safe School Program (school cardiac emergency preparedness with Project ADAM), and the Patient Support Program (peer support for cardiac survivors and families). The organization primarily serves Connecticut and the broader Northeast U.S.

Product overview

In A Heartbeat is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that offers a portfolio of five interconnected cardiac health programs: the Cardiac Screening Program (providing free EKGs to youth), the AED Program (donating and setting up AEDs with trained responders and emergency plans), the CPR/AED Training Program (American Heart Association certified instruction), the Heart Safe School Program (partnering with Project ADAM for school cardiac emergency preparedness), and the Patient Support Program (connecting cardiac survivors and families with peer support). The organization operates primarily in Connecticut and the Northeast, with demonstrated impact including 995 AEDs placed, 12,002 EKGs provided, 8,929 people trained, and 83 lives saved.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cardiac Screening Program Provides free electrocardiograms (EKGs) to children, teens, and young adults in Connecticut and the Northeast, including high-quality EKG acquisition, expert EKG interpretation, and timely follow-up care. As of 2026, 12,002 EKGs have been provided and 76 lives saved.
• AED Program Helps organizations set up complete Automated External Defibrillator (AED) programs including AED donations, trained responders, emergency action plans, and maintenance plans. AED donations are primarily limited to Connecticut organizations. 995 AEDs have been placed and 7 lives saved through the program.
• CPR/AED Training Program Provides American Heart Association certified CPR and AED instruction classes including Heartsaver First Aid, Heartsaver CPR/AED (Adult, Child, Infant), and Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED courses for groups or individuals. Blended learning options are available with online coursework plus in-person skills testing. 8,929 people have been trained.
• Heart Safe School Program Partners with Project ADAM to provide templates, resources, and one-on-one consultation to support schools in becoming prepared and preventing sudden cardiac death through AED placement and emergency response planning across Connecticut and the Northeast.
• Patient Support Program Offers personal support, compassion, friendship, and a safe place for individuals and families affected by cardiac issues, sudden cardiac arrest survivors, or those living with heart disease or implanted defibrillators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83 lives saved through combined programs (76 through cardiac screening, 7 through AED program)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• MicroboardflagshipOthersPlatinum sponsor of In A Heartbeat. Microboard provides support as a top-tier corporate sponsor.
• ExposureflagshipOthersPlatinum sponsor and website developer. Exposure built and maintains the In A Heartbeat website.
• DefibtechflagshipOthersPlatinum sponsor and AED manufacturer. Defibtech produces the AEDs that In A Heartbeat donates through its program.
• Quinnipiac UniversityflagshipOthersPlatinum sponsor. In A Heartbeat founder Mike Papale attended Quinnipiac University and worked there as Director of Basketball Operations. Quinnipiac School of Nursing also partners for community engagement.
• Post University AthleticsflagshipOthersPlatinum sponsor. Post University Athletics supports the organization.
• Cuno FoundationcoreOthersGold sponsor. Cuno Foundation provides financial support as a gold-tier sponsor.
• Tinty FoundationcoreOthersGold sponsor. Tinty Foundation supports the organization through gold-tier sponsorship.
• Town Fair Tire FoundationcoreOthersGold sponsor. Town Fair Tire Foundation provides gold-tier sponsorship support.
• Project ADAMflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn A Heartbeat partners with Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillation in Adam's Memory) to deliver the Heart Safe Schools Program across Connecticut and the Northeast. Project ADAM provides program templates, resources, and one-on-one consultation to help schools become prepared for cardiac emergencies and prevent sudden cardiac death.
• Tufts Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn A Heartbeat has donated funds to Tufts Medical Center for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) research: $6,000 in 2016, $8,000 in 2017, and $10,000 in 2018. Tufts Medical Center is a source for HCM information and resources on the organization's website.
• The Jackson LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn A Heartbeat donated $1,000 to The Jackson Laboratory in 2018 for HCM research. Dr. Travis Hinson from The Jackson Laboratory/UConn Health appears as a video source on the HCM resource page.
• American Heart AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn A Heartbeat provides AHA-certified CPR/AED training classes. Founder Mike Papale and his family became volunteers and spokespeople for the AHA after his survival, and they lobbied for Connecticut legislation mandating defibrillators in public schools.
• Korey Stringer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorey Stringer Institute (KSI) at UConn Health is listed as a resource partner. In A Heartbeat has donated 8 AEDs to KSI's innovATe Program. Dr. Martin S. Maron from Tufts Medical Center serves as a resource expert for HCM information.
• YMCAminorOthersPremier sponsor. The YMCA supports In A Heartbeat as a premier sponsor.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation: National nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and increasing survival rates through education, AED access advocacy, and survivor support—comparable mission scope.
• Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to cardiomyopathy in children, funding research and raising awareness—overlapping focus area with In A Heartbeat's HCM awareness and research grant program.
• Simon's Fund: Nonprofit providing free cardiac screenings to children and teens, along with AED placement and research funding for sudden cardiac arrest prevention—near-identical program model to In A Heartbeat's screening and AED initiatives.
• Parent Heart Watch: National nonprofit network of parents and families affected by sudden cardiac arrest, focused on prevention through AED placement, youth cardiac screening, and CPR education—directly comparable mission and program mix to In A Heartbeat.
• Project ADAM: National nonprofit that prepares schools and communities for sudden cardiac emergencies through Heart Safe School designation; In A Heartbeat is a Project ADAM affiliate partner, making it a directly comparable peer in the same school-focused prevention niche.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association: Patient advocacy nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, providing education, resources, and research funding—directly comparable to In A Heartbeat's HCM research donations to Tufts Medical Center.

Others

• Defibtech: AED manufacturer that is also In A Heartbeat's Platinum sponsor and AED hardware supplier—an adjacent ecosystem partner enabling the organization's AED donation program rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• American Heart Association: Largest US nonprofit focused on heart disease and stroke; In A Heartbeat delivers AHA-certified CPR/AED training and Mike Papale has served as an AHA spokesperson, making AHA a broad incumbent in the same awareness/training category.

Emerging players

• Heart Rhythm Society: Professional society for cardiac electrophysiology, with public-facing sudden cardiac arrest and arrhythmia awareness initiatives that overlap with In A Heartbeat's EKG screening scope (detecting Long QT, WPW, HCM).

Regional players

• Korey Stringer Institute: UConn-based athlete safety and sudden death prevention institute; In A Heartbeat has donated 8 AEDs through KSI's innovATe Program, making it a regional peer with overlapping sports-focused cardiac emergency work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/In_A_Heartbeat_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYDwOL-PdlvafWBGTYjAtAw?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/inaheartbeatfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/inaheartbeatfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about In A Heartbeat