Sprint Accelerator to Partner with Providence Health & Services

When the second class of the Sprint Accelerator starts work next year, its participating startups will be collaborating with one of the country’s largest health care organizations, Providence Health & Services.

The accelerator works with companies that focus on mobile health solutions, making the program an ideal partner for Providence, which operates 34 hospitals in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Montana.

“Through Providence, startups participating in the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator in 2015 will enjoy valuable opportunities to interact with a dynamic, innovation-oriented health care institution, including the possibility of piloting their solutions in a number of different clinical settings,” said Kevin McGinnis, vice president of Sprint’s Pinsight Media+.

The collaboration will be under the umbrella of Providence Ventures, the organization’s venture capital unit. Techstars, the nationally known accelerator program, is also a partner in Sprint’s initiative.

“Providence can provide early-stage companies access to our world-class clinicians and experts who work across the continuum of health care,” said Aaron Martin, senior vice president of strategy and innovation at Providence Health & Services. “Through this collaboration with Sprint and Techstars, we can help mobile health startups understand how to refine and develop a product that truly meets the need of health care consumers, ultimately creating better health outcomes.”

The application deadline for next year’s Sprint Accelerator class is Dec. 14. Ten startups from around the world will be chosen.

The class will meet from March 9 through June 4. The selected startups receive mentoring, coaching and up to $120,000 in funding.