Sprint and Techstars have partnered to launch a mobile health accelerator in Kansas City, according to the Techstars blog. Beginning in March 2014, the three-month intensive mentorship program will assist companies that already offer a service in the health industry, but don’t necessarily have a mobile offering.
The Sprint Mobile Accelerator will provide select entrepreneurs mentorship and guidance from Sprint’s leading
technology professionals and tech leaders based in Kansas City and from across the country. While each company will come to the table with their service and offering, the accelerator will give startup founders the added resources and tools to strengthen their business plan.“I couldn’t be more excited about launching this program in Kansas City,†said David Cohen
, Techstars founder and CEO, in the blog post. “It’s an obvious ‘next’ place that has an up and coming tech community to rival other top geographies. The presence of leaders in the mobile health space makes this the perfect home for the accelerator. We have been watching Kansas City from afar, seeing it come together, and now we’re excited to join the community and help it grow.â€Applications are being accepted from now until
December 6, and finalists will be notified in early January 2014. Startups will receive up to $120,000 in combined funding, a reported $20,000 upfront and the option to accept a $100,000 convertible debt mode funded by Sprint.With burgeoning tech markets popping up nationally, Sprint chose the region where its headquarters are based given its emerging technical ecosystem, said Kevin McGinnis, vice president of development at Sprint. “The Sprint Accelerator will act as a catalyst for growth in this market.â€
This isn’t the first time Techstars teamed up with a company to launch an accelerator. The accelerator program partnered with Nike+ earlier this year. The program was aimed at startups that Nike+ technology and data to help people be more active.