Sprint partners up with Techstars to launch mobile health startup accelerator
Written by Alyssa Clark
Sprint in undergoing a new project with Techstars, a startup accelerator within the mobile health industry, and announced its launch of the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator in Kansas City. This program from Sprint will promise three months of mentoring and up to $120,000 in capital to mobile health startup companies around the nation.
Now known as a hub of companies involved with animal health, life sciences and healthcare technology, crop science and pharmaceutical industries, Kansas City seemed like a great place to kick-this-off with its private and university laboratories and community of healthcare innovation.
"Wireless innovations are helping people around the world by improving health care, empowering people with disabilities and promoting wellness," Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint, noted in a statement.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Kevin McGinnis, vice president-Development at Sprint, is taking a leadership role in expanding and strengthening the company's work with entrepreneurial startups. He believes the Sprint Accelerator will make a vital contribution to the region's success.
"Kansas City increasingly is gaining recognition on the national level as an emerging entrepreneurial technology center," McGinnis said. "Sprint has been expanding its work with startups and other ventures that are developing intriguing innovations. The Sprint Accelerator will act as a catalyst for growth in this market."
Sprint gives M2M solutions for multiple industries such as fleet management, as well as healthcare. Sprint is banking on maintaining a 2G network over the long-term as AT&T moves to scrap 2G; most M2M devices currently rely on 2G for communications anyway. Opening business in 2007, Techstars firm has yet to spawn a billion-dollar company; Techstars recently told Dani Frankhauser of Mashable.com that is has several companies in its greenhouse that could break $1 billion very soon. Two of the possible billion-dollar superstars include Dropbox and Airbnb.
According to Frankhauser, Techstars accepts only the top one percent of applicants to its program. "We save the VC community time and make seed deals flow more efficiently for them," explained David Cohen, Techstars’ founder and CEO.
One of the selected entrepreneurs who is accepted into Techstars program has a better chance at getting in touch with a venture capital firm. Techstars also effectively and actively markets some of its startups, promoting its program in the process.
Sprint’s Accelerator is accepting applications for admission through Dec. 6th; finalists will be notified at the beginning of early January 2014, after the three-month accelerator program starts in March. More information is available to interested parties, as well as submitting applications, at sprintaccelerator.com.
About the Author
Alyssa Clark is the Editor of Healthcare Global