Fayetteville-based Startup Junkie has revealed the launch of its first cohort focused entirely on healthcare technology and innovation through the Fuel Accelerator. Beginning in April, the spring cohort will bring together a diverse range of solutions that are transforming the healthcare industry.
Launched in 2018, the Fuel Accelerator has included accelerators focused on supply chain and artificial intelligence, and now is expanding into health innovation by facilitating the first cohort centered around health tech startups. Like its previous cohorts, Fuel is dedicated to providing these startups with resources such as mentorship, continued education and access to other startup founders.
“As the Fuel Accelerator continues to grow in both impact and scope, we see the opportunity to better serve our region by adding a focus on health-related innovations and technologies,” said Caleb Talley, Startup Junkie Foundation executive director. “Before long, people will think about Northwest Arkansas as a healthcare hub just as they currently do with retail or supply chain. We believe we can leverage the Fuel program to contribute to that regional effort by bringing effectual, innovative startups and world-class talent to Northwest Arkansas.”
The program has been funded in part by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission as well as the Walton Family Foundation, with support from congressional Community Project Funding awarded with the assistance of U.S. Rep. Steve Womack.
Eight startups will be taking part in the accelerator program from April to June, with specialties ranging from AI platforms to detect diabetes to improving the quality of life for elders to streamlined mechanisms for medical exams, data, and analytics. The companies and their locations of operation are:
- Ainnovatech – San Jose, Costa Rica
- Gheorg – Sydney, Australia
- Glooma – Braga, Portugal
- Lineus Medical – Fayetteville, Arkansas
- MatchRite Care – Kansas City, Missouri
- Momentum Health – Montreal, Québec
- Nytia Labs – Waterloo, Ontario
- Zemplee – Los Gatos, California
“Each company in this cohort has unique value to bring to Northwest Arkansas’ health systems with their innovative tech, and it’s great to promote the collaboration between these companies and the local movers and shakers in the health sector we already see emerging,” said Matthew Ward, who served as director of the program from October 2021 to March 2023. “This year’s program is a step out of our comfort zone, and the Fuel team is excited to build on the success of the past two years and to contribute to solving relevant problems.”
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