Work is underway for 10 Sprint accelerator companies
Tuesday turned into a workday for the second class of business startups at the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator in Kansas City.
Ten companies from around the country and abroad arrived Monday in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District to spend three months together. They’ll work with one another, mentors and Sprint Corp. to quicken their own progress.
The day began with a trip to Sprint’s headquarters in Overland Park and then it was back to the accelerator workspace, where presentations kept them busy past 5 o’clock.
Among the companies, Alcohoot, based in New York, has developed a police-grade breathalyzer that uses mobile technology to help users drink responsibly.
Chief executive Chris Ayala came aboard the 3-year-old company last August and has worked to expand the company’s focus beyond consumers to include businesses.
“It plays really well in both markets,” Ayala said during a break Tuesday.
Hidrate from Minneapolis has a “smart” water bottle that syncs with a smartphone. Rex Pet Health out of Houston built an app that lets pet owners shop veterinarians for prices, reviews and services.
Each of the companies combines mobile technology with health care. Each also receives up to $120,000 in funding and is building toward a pitch to potential investors at the end of the three months.
The accelerator program is run by Techstars, a leading startup program operator based in Colorado.
Teams arrived Monday at the accelerator in 15-minute intervals, each arriving to the hollers and hoots of those who arrived before them. Techstars’ John Fein announced the company teams as they climbed the stairs to the second-story workspace, where the other teams’ members and accelerator employees greeted them with hugs and high-fives.
To reach Mark Davis, call 816-234-4372 or send email to mdavis@kcstar.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter at mdkcstar.
2015 Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator companies
▪ Alcohoot, from New York, is a police-grade personal breathalyzer that leverages mobile technology to help you be more responsible when consuming alcohol.
▪ HealthID Profile, from Cranston, R.I., is a mobile platform that assigns unique Health ID codes via a card or wristband and enables users to manage and share personal health information.
▪ Hidrate, from Minneapolis, is a unique smart water bottle that syncs to your phone to help keep you hydrated.
▪ iDoc24, from San Francisco, provides convenient and expert dermatology consultation for your skin concerns via your mobile device.
▪ Jolt, from Boston, makes wearable multisport head impact sensors to help young athletes play smarter and safer.
▪ Ovatemp, from Newton, Mass., is a cutting-edge mobile app and thermometer that allows women to take control of their fertility.
▪ Oxie, from Tel Aviv, Israel, is the first smart, wearable air purifier enabling users to breathe clean air and receive real-time air quality information.
▪ Rex Pet Health, from Houston, is the first all-in-one app that enables pet owners to compare vet pricing, reviews and services. It also allows owners to schedule appointments for their pets.
▪ SocialCode, from San Francisco, is an online support community that improves the patient’s health via social connections, behavior change and a greater understanding of their illness.
▪ Triomi, from New York, is a portable 12-lead EKG that saves lives, costs and time.
This story was originally published March 9, 2015 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Work is underway for 10 Sprint accelerator companies."