NXTUS Inc. of Wichita, Kansas, along with HTA, formerly HealthTech Arkansas, on Monday introduced HealthCatalyst NWA, an innovation program designed to expand opportunities for early-stage companies and make northwest Arkansas a leader for health technology.
The Walton Family Foundation awarded NXTUS a $500,000 grant to fund the HealthCatalyst NWA 2026 pilot program, aiming to close a gap in Arkansas’ economy: too few pathways for the region’s nonprofits to access and implement the health- and community-tech tools offered by startups.
The program will aim to help regional community partners and health care providers solve costly problems while helping the participating startups with market feedback and commercial traction.
The HealthCatalyst NWA program will be based on the Kansas-focused NXTSTAGE Community Health and Vibrancy Pilot Competition, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, which has prompted more than 77 health and economic vibrancy innovation projects since 2021.
“This unique program can help Northwest Arkansas continue to build its reputation and reality as a thriving region and a great place to grow a business,” Mary Beth Jarvis, president and CEO of NXTUS, said in a press release. “HealthCatalyst NWA will pair local providers with leading innovators offering solutions for their most pressing challenges. With this, the region grows as a hub for promising technology tools, helping startups thrive and driving improved population health and economic-growth outcomes.”
The program aims to attract both Arkansas-based and global startups to participate.
“In addition to addressing community health challenges through funded and facilitated pilots, one goal of the HealthCatalyst program is to continue attracting talent to Northwest Arkansas,” Jeff Stinson, Director of HTA, said in the press release. “Startup companies conducting pilot projects here will be required to maintain a presence here, which contributes to our ever-expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
HealthCatalyst NWA community partners include Arisa Health, the Arkansas Department of Health, the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Community Clinic, Havenwood, Mercy, Our Blood Institute, Spring Creek Food Hub, UAMS and Washington Regional Medical System.
Applications for startups to compete in HealthCatalyst NWA open Jan. 1. In the spring, select contenders will be matched with community organizations. Pilot agreements will be finalized over the summer, with projects launching in the fall, placing startup staff on site in northwest Arkansas to implement and scale their solutions.
Pilot outcomes — including community impact, job creation, and service enhancements and expansions — will be tracked to provide insights into the regional impact.
“The Health Catalyst NWA program will be instrumental in connecting visionary startups with local healthcare and community partners,” Yee-Lin Lai, senior program officer of the Walton Family Foundation, said in the release. “By supporting NXTUS, we are investing in innovative solutions that will improve lives and expand the region’s entrepreneurial capacity.”
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