Media Center
VelocityTX Announces Inaugural Cohort for Community Health Accelerator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Collaboration with Methodist Healthcare Ministries Will Advance Health Equity
SAN ANTONIO (August 22) – VelocityTX announced today the cohort of companies that will participate in its upcoming Community Health Accelerator, which kicks off September 9 and is presented in partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM). Designed to advance companies with innovations that promote health equity, this first-of-its-kind program brings together five groundbreaking startups that are working to develop innovations to address the social determinants of health, a broad term used to describe the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes.
The accelerator will take a deep dive into the fundamentals of business with discussions around key market strategy, pitching, and fund raising, among others. The program will conclude with a public “demo day” event on October 10, where the cohort companies will compete for a chance to deploy their innovations through a pilot study within Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ network of services in the Rio Grande Valley.
“We are excited for this program, which will propel innovation and sustainable solutions at the intersection of business and community impact. Together, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and VelocityTX intend to create a hub of innovation that launches improvement in the social determinants of health for years to come,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.
Selected Participants for the Community Health Accelerator:
DoktorConnect (El Paso, Texas)
DoktorConnect is transforming healthcare delivery from the current diagnose-and-treat model to an approach that emphasizes preventative care, pioneering a digital platform that offers robust wellness functionality. The company’s FDA- and CE-certified IoT devices provide tailored solutions for a healthier life, enhanced vitality, and increased longevity.
Yumlish (Dallas, Texas)
Yumlish provides tech-enabled, culturally affirming programs aimed at diabetes prevention in low-income communities, with a strong focus on Spanish-speaking populations. Their approach addresses health disparities and promotes better health outcomes through accessible and culturally relevant education and resources.
BobiHealth (San Antonio, Texas)
Bobi, Inc. (DBA BobiHealth) is revolutionizing pregnancy care with intelligent monitoring solutions. Utilizing the latest advances in AI and machine learning, BobiHealth identifies and predicts adverse events early, offering timely information for healthier outcomes and more meaningful conversations with providers. Their ultra-available, proprietary solutions leverage off-the-shelf smartphones and wearable devices, providing unlimited opportunities for impact.
Tabiat (Toronto, Ontario)
Focusing on early detection, Tabiat delivers clinically relevant insights to prevent readmissions and reduce acute events, potentially saving hospitals $383 billion annually. Their platform offers health monitoring and proactive care at home, leveraging AI and passive sensing to predict health changes days in advance, facilitating earlier intervention.
VitalFlo (Raleigh, North Carolina)
VitalFlo is a proactive respiratory health company offering a spirometry, software, and analytics platform to help measure, monitor, and predict lung health. VitalFlo’s solutions enable patients and doctors to measure and track chronic respiratory conditions over time with flexible, easy-to-use tools for both in-person and virtual care.
“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional startups to our Community Health Accelerator,” said Rene Dominguez, President and CEO of VelocityTX. “Each company brings a unique and innovative approach to solving critical health challenges, and we are excited to support their growth and success as they work to improve health outcomes in our communities.”
“Our mission is ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ and we fulfill that mission by working to improve the health & wellness of the least served across the 74-counties we serve. By supporting this accelerator, we are investing in innovative solutions that have the potential to transform healthcare delivery and make a lasting impact on community health,” Wesolowski added.
###
About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
About VelocityTX
Formerly known as the Texas Research & Technology Foundation, VelocityTX is a nonprofit organization established in 1984 to promote sustainable economic and community growth. In carrying out this mission, the organization seeks to advance San Antonio’s life sciences industry through the development of a state-of-the-art bioscience innovation campus on the city’s near east side. Based out of the former Merchants Ice & Cold Storage complex, the master planned development will bring together established bioscience companies, healthcare startups, and military medical research organizations in an inclusive community where ideas collide to spur medical breakthroughs. VelocityTX also promotes workforce development through its Step Into STEM program, and provides entrepreneurial support services designed to accelerate the commercialization of emerging medical technologies. Learn more at velocitytx.org.
| Brian Peters | Teno Villarreal |
| Director of Marketing and Communications VelocityTX | Public Relations Specialist Methodist Healthcare Ministries |
| brian@velocitytx.org, (210) 904-5984 | avillarreal1@mhm.org, (210) 787-6757 |
VelocityTX to add key leadership amid transition
In a move expected to boost its connection with the Department of Defense and military medical research, VelocityTX has named Patricia Geppert as its new director of innovation. Her primary role will be to oversee military medical and startup support programming at the East Side San Antonio campus. Geppert has a robust technical background and extensive experience working with the military …
Funding critical to East SA innovation hub expansion, new TRTF CEO says
The Texas Research & Technology Foundation’s vision for converting underutilized real estate near downtown into a new innovation district anchored by its VelocityTX campus could ignite East San Antonio’s economy.
But that plan represents a heavy lift and will require additional funding support from a variety of potential stakeholders to bring it to fruition, according to Rene Dominguez, who …
TRTF lands new corporate HQ for East SA innovation campus
The Texas Research & Technology Foundation and TransPecos Bank have struck a partnership that will result in the redevelopment of a multistory structure on the VelocityTX campus east of downtown into a new corporate headquarters for the financial institution. TransPecos will take most of the space in the former Merchants Ice & Cold Storage building. The East Houston Street structure spans four floors and 63,000 square feet … Click here to continue reading >
East SA on cusp of becoming a major military medical research hub
The Texas Research and Technology Foundation’s vision for turning part of its VelocityTX campus and an emerging innovation district around it into a hub for collaborative medical research involving the U.S. military and private sector companies is gaining traction.
If that plan pans out as envisioned, what was a mostly abandoned warehouse area could become a prime landing spot for companies …
TRTF Community House acquisition to fuel innovation district expansion
The Texas Research & Technology Foundation has closed a second deal through its nonprofit subsidiary TRTF Community House, acquiring Quality Fence & Welding, a 43-year-old company undergoing its own expansion.
The transaction is expected to funnel more revenue into the ongoing build out of TRTF’s VelocityTX campus and a larger innovation district immediately east of downtown San Antonio.