For the first time, mobile health startups taking part in next spring’s Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator will be mentored by experts from the University of Kansas Medical Center.

“We are excited to provide mentorship, as mobile health is an important component of the future of health care in the state of Kansas along with the nation,” said Michael Harmelink, chief information officer at KU Medical Center, in a release. “Innovation is a core component of our strategy, and this partnership will lead to better outcomes for the startups, KU Medical Center and patients.”

The 2015 Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator will run from March 9 to June 4. The intensive program for mobile health startups requires participating entrepreneurs to temporarily move to Kansas City to receive highly skilled assistance in growing their businesses. Each of the class members will get $120,000 in funding. Starting this spring, they will also receive an equity back guarantee from Techstars, a partner in the program.

The addition of KU Medical Center specialists as contributing mentors to next year’s program made both educational and geographic sense, said Kevin McGinnis, vice president at Sprint subsidiary Pinsight Media+.

“One of the primary reasons Sprint chose health care for our program was the expertise available right here in the region,” McGinnis said. “KU Medical Center is a hometown supporter of the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator, and we are excited to have their leadership and assistance, which will immensely benefit the participants in our program.”