Sprint Accelerator opens applications, dons new name
August 31, 2015 | Bobby Burch
Kansas City’s top business accelerator is now accepting applications for a wider applicant pool after a recent — albeit minimal — name change.
The Sprint Mobile Accelerator — formerly the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator — lightened up its name to better reflect its broader focus on boosting mobile-centric startups. Led by Boulder-based Techstars, the accelerator is welcoming applicants for its three-month, Kansas City-based program, which takes place Feb. 22 through May 24.
“We’re all very excited to see what types of companies apply,” said John Fein, managing director of Techstars. “Sprint will provide amazing resources and this is the only Techstars program focused solely on mobile tech, so we expect the application process to be very competitive. (We) can’t wait to meet some awesome mobile startups.”
Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure announced in May that the accelerator will have a broader focus than its previous mobile health target. As a result, Claure hopes to highlight the top companies’ products or services in Sprint stores around the nation. Fein said that Techstars is working with Sprint now to figure out how that agreement will work.
Fein said that the broader mobile focus will change his approach for attracting companies from around the world. He added that he hopes many local firms will apply.
“Now that we’re open to almost any startup, it presents us with a lot more opportunities for recruiting,” he said. “We plan to recruit heavily in the KC and greater Silicon Prairie area and will also partner with select events in other areas of the U.S. … Techstars and Sprint are all about building the local community so when we select the ten best companies for 2016, we’d love for KC to be represented.”
Fein said that examples of mobile companies that should apply include: wearables; consumer apps; digital services such as advertising, commerce or in-home; Internet of Things; and big data or analytics.
The application period for the accelerator’s third class in Kansas City opens today and closes on Nov. 22. Click here to apply.
Featured Business
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Fishtech Labs invests $3M in Overland Park security firm
Tech accelerator Fishtech Labs on Thursday announced its first major investment in Foresite, an Overland Park-based managed security provider. Founded by serial entrepreneur Gary Fish, the Kansas City-based accelerator is investing $3 million in Foresite, which offers cyber security and compliance services for businesses. Unlike most managed service providers, Foresite uses a “white label” approach…
Digital divide initiative could help 9,000 Kansas City households
More than 9,000 Kansas City households are among the potential beneficiaries of a new national digital divide initiative. Comcast recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ConnectHome initiative, marking the largest expansion to Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. Now all Kansas City households within a Comcast service area that receive HUD housing…
New Startland reporter wants to immerse herself in KC’s culture of innovation
Two months ago today, I packed up the last of my belongings in my Columbia, Mo. apartment. And to be frank, I was slightly embarrassed to be moving back in with my parents in Independence, Mo. A recent graduate from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, it seemed that almost everybody I knew was…
Exclusive: John Fein departing Techstars to lead new $7M Midwest venture fund
After three years with the Kansas City-based Sprint Accelerator, John Fein is moving on to lead a venture fund that has ambitious Midwestern plans. Fein, who’s served as the managing director at the Techstars-led accelerator since 2014, will serve his last day with the organization on July 31. With decades of fast-paced startup experience, Fein…