Bolt for the Heart

What Bolt for the Heart does

Bolt for the Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 in Carmel, Indiana, by Pierre Twer. Its mission is to expand access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across Indiana, addressing the public-health problem that sudden cardiac arrest kills approximately 335,000 people annually in the United States, with survival rates declining 7-10% per minute without defibrillation. The organization was originally established as HeartReach Carmel, an extension of Heart Reach Michiana (founded by Dr. Walt Halloran in 2004), and has since been renamed Bolt for the Heart. Operations are volunteer-run with one paid employee, and the geographic footprint is concentrated in Indiana.

The organization operates four interlocking programs that collectively form what it calls an "AED Access Ecosystem": the Family 5K Run & Walk Program (the primary fundraising mechanism through annual races in Carmel and La Porte, Indiana); the Hometown Hero Program (a $1,500 tax-deductible donation that funds placement of an AED in a law enforcement vehicle of the donor's choice); the Heart Safe Community Program (which installs SaveStation 24/7 weather-protected outdoor AED enclosures in high-traffic public spaces); and the Rescue Ready Race Program (a 2026-launched certification that equips endurance events with strategic AED coverage and emergency-response planning). The technology backbone consists of AEDs procured from exclusive supplier partners ZOLL Medical Corporation and Heart Reach Medical, SaveStation outdoor enclosures, and PulsePoint app integration that alerts CPR-trained citizen responders to nearby cardiac emergencies and surfaces AED locations.

The business model is entirely donation- and sponsorship-driven. Revenue is generated through corporate presenting sponsorships (Indiana University Health, Performance Services, Franciscan Health Michigan City), individual donations, 5K race registrations ($30 individual entry, $40 half-marathon, $99 Play for Jake package), and Hometown Hero AED donations ($1,500 each). Since founding, Bolt for the Heart has raised over $5.8 million and placed more than 3,500 AEDs across Indiana, including 700+ units deployed with the Indiana State Police, with documented outcomes of more than 20 lives saved. Distribution occurs through direct donations to law enforcement agencies (police departments, sheriff offices, state police), public-space SaveStation installations, and race-day AED coverage, with marketing primarily driven by the annual 5K events, media partnerships (Current Publishing), newsletters, and organic social media.

Name

Bolt for the Heart

Legal name

Bolt for the Heart

Website

https://boltfortheheart.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bolt for the Heart is an Indiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that expands AED access through community 5K fundraisers, the Hometown Hero law enforcement donation program, SaveStation public enclosures, and the Rescue Ready Race endurance-event certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Cardiac Emergency Response

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Preparedness, Risk Reduction & Early Warning (DRR) (BPAGAAAB)

Keywords

• Automated external defibrillators
• Cardiac emergency response
• Community AED programs
• First responder equipment
• Sudden cardiac arrest prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Carmel

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization raises funds through corporate sponsorships (Presenting Sponsors like Indiana University Health, Performance Services), individual donations, and foundation support. Funds are used to purchase AEDs for donation to law enforcement and first responders.
2. 5K Race Registrations: Annual 5K run/walk events including the Thanksgiving Day 5K in Carmel and Play for Jake 5K in La Porte, Indiana. Race registrations serve as the primary fundraising vehicle, with net proceeds going toward AED purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bolt for the Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that expands access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across Indiana through community fundraising events (5K runs), direct donations of AEDs to law enforcement vehicles (Hometown Hero program), public 24/7 SaveStation outdoor AED enclosures (Heart Safe Community), and endurance event safety certification (Rescue Ready Race). The organization procures AEDs from manufacturers such as ZOLL Medical Corporation and routes them to first responders and public spaces.

Product overview

Bolt for the Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of community health and safety programs centered on expanding access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The core offering consists of the Family 5K Run & Walk Program, which serves as the primary fundraising vehicle through annual races in Carmel and La Porte, Indiana. This is complemented by the Hometown Hero Program (individual AED donations to law enforcement), the Heart Safe Community Program (SaveStation outdoor AED installations), and the Rescue Ready Race Program (endurance event safety certification). The organization procures AEDs from suppliers like ZOLL Medical Corporation and Heart Reach Medical, and installs permanent SaveStation outdoor enclosures for round-the-clock public access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hometown Hero: Program to equip law enforcement patrol vehicles with lifesaving AEDs
• Heart Safe Community
• Rescue Ready Race
• Family 5K Runs

Products and services

• Family 5K Run & Walk Program Annual community 5K run/walk events held in Carmel, IN (Thanksgiving Day) and La Porte, IN (Play for Jake) that serve as the primary fundraising mechanism for purchasing and donating AEDs to first responders. Includes half marathon, family, and virtual race options.
• Hometown Hero Program A donation program allowing individuals or businesses to contribute $1,500 (tax-deductible) to place an AED in a law enforcement vehicle of their choice, with a window cling recognizing the donor displayed on the vehicle. Equips law enforcement patrol vehicles with lifesaving AEDs to reduce time to defibrillation.
• Heart Safe Community Program A community preparedness initiative that installs SaveStation 24/7 outdoor AED enclosures in high-traffic public spaces (parks, trails, gathering areas) to expand 24/7 access to lifesaving defibrillators for cardiac emergencies.
• Rescue Ready Race Program An endurance event preparedness and certification program designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities for sudden cardiac arrest by implementing strategic AED placement along race courses, trained response personnel, and coordinated emergency communication systems.
• Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) Portable medical devices (procured and donated) that analyze heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock during sudden cardiac arrest. Features include voice activation, Rescue Ready reliability, simplicity for lay users, and text screens for noisy environments.
• SaveStation Outdoor AED Enclosures

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,500 AEDs placed across Indiana since 2010
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.

• ZOLL Medical CorporationcoreTechnology or Integration · 22 May 2026ZOLL Medical Corporation is the Exclusive AED Provider for Bolt for the Heart and powers the Rescue Ready Race program. ZOLL provides world-class AEDs strategically placed throughout race courses and partners on the 'Anyone Can Help' campaign for cardiac emergency preparedness.
• SaveStationcoreTechnology or IntegrationSaveStation is the Exclusive SaveStation Provider for Bolt for the Heart, providing 24/7 outdoor AED enclosures installed throughout Carmel and along race courses for permanent public access to lifesaving equipment.
• Indiana University HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndiana University Health is a Presenting Sponsor of Bolt for the Heart events and major funding partner, having donated over $100,000 towards AED placements including IMPD patrol car equipping and Thanksgiving 5K presenting sponsorship.
• Performance ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance Services is a Presenting Sponsor of Bolt for the Heart and board member Tim Thoman (President/CEO) actively participates. They organize AED Drive-Thru Events for Indiana County Sheriff Departments and have funded multiple AED donations.
• Franciscan Health Michigan CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranciscan Health is the presenting sponsor for Bolt for the Heart events in LaPorte County, including the annual Hallowrun and Family 5K/Half Marathon. They contribute funds and heart scan services for participants.
• Orangetheory FitnessnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrangetheory Fitness has been a 5-year partner, raising over $19,241 in 2024 alone through gym challenges to purchase AEDs for local law enforcement. Seven OTF studios participated in equipping seven Hometown Heroes with AEDs.
• Play for Jake FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Julie West-Schroeder in memory of Jake West who died from sudden cardiac arrest during football practice. The foundation co-sponsors LaPorte County events, provides heart screenings to students, and works to prevent sudden cardiac death in youth.
• Java House CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee sponsor for Bolt for the Heart events, providing coffee and bakery items for race participants and healthcare hero appreciation events.
• Indiana Sheriffs' AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Indiana Sheriffs' Association is partnered with Bolt for the Heart to place AEDs in sheriff patrol vehicles across all 92 Indiana counties. After completing the Indiana State Police goal, focus has shifted to county sheriff departments.
• PulsePointnotableTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with PulsePoint emergency response app that alerts CPR-trained citizen responders to nearby cardiac emergencies and displays AED locations. Westfield Police AEDs are tied to the PulsePoint system.
• Heart Reach MedicalcoreTechnology or IntegrationHeart Reach Medical is the exclusive AED provider for Bolt for the Heart. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Walt Halloran, it is the parent organization that established HeartReach Carmel (Bolt for the Heart) in 2010. Pierre Twer is associated with both organizations.
• 500 FestivalnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced March 2026 to designate the 2026 IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon as AED Rescue Ready, expanding the Rescue Ready Race program to one of Indiana's largest marathons.
• Hotel CarmichaelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost hotel for Bolt for the Heart events, serving as the host hotel for race packet pickup and lodging for event participants.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/boltfortheheart
• Facebookfacebook.com/boltfortheheart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Bolt for the Heart