The Health Wildcatters Accelerator is a top-tier program dedicated to healthcare startups with high-impact solutions. Based in Dallas, Texas, it provides early-stage healthcare companies with $30,000 in seed funding, access to 200+ mentors, and a chance for follow-on investments up to $380,000. Whether you’re working on a digital health platform, a medical device, or a healthcare SaaS solution, this accelerator could be the launchpad to your startup’s success.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the program, from eligibility and application tips to the investment structure and what makes a successful applicant.
Health Wildcatters Program Overview
📍 Location: Dallas, Texas (Pegasus Park)
🕒 Program Duration: 10-12 weeks (September to November)
💰 Initial Investment: $30,000
📈 Total Potential Investment: Up to $380,000 (including convertible notes)
📊 Equity Taken: 8%
🩺 Industry Focus: Healthcare (MedTech, Digital Health, Diagnostics, SaaS, Pharma, etc.)
🧑🏫 Mentors: 200+ from healthcare and business sectors
🌐 Format: Hybrid (in-person + virtual participation)
Who Should Apply? Eligibility Criteria
✅ Health Wildcatters Accelerator Focus: This program is exclusively for startups innovating in healthcare. Accepted verticals include:
- Digital health & mobile health apps
- Healthcare SaaS platforms
- Diagnostics & devices
- Biotech, pharmaceuticals, and therapeutics
✅ Early-Stage Companies: Whether you’re pre-revenue, have a prototype, or already have early traction, you can apply. There are no hard rules on revenue or funding.
✅ U.S.-Based or U.S.-Ready: Most accepted companies are from the U.S. or can participate fully in U.S.-based programming.
✅ Team Commitment: Founders must be fully engaged during the 10–12 week program. Hybrid format allows some flexibility, but participation is key.
Health Wildcatters Accelerator Investment Terms
💸 Seed Investment: $30,000 in cash provided upon acceptance.
📊 Equity Stake: 8% equity in return for funding and program access.
💰 Follow-on Investment: Additional convertible notes possible, bringing total support up to $380,000.
🎁 Perks: $200K+ in in-kind resources including legal services, marketing tools, and office space.
💡 Why it matters: The investment structure not only gives you early runway but also aligns the accelerator’s long-term interest with your success.
Application Process: Step-by-Step
📅 Timeline:
- Applications Open: Spring
- Deadline: Typically end of April
- Selection Interviews: Summer
- Quick Pitch Day: Finalists present in-person in Dallas
- Program Starts: September
📋 How to Apply:
- Create an F6S Profile: Applications go through F6S.com.
- Fill Out the Application: Provide company details, market focus, team bios, traction, and goals.
- Upload Materials:
- A clear pitch deck
- Company overview
- (Optional but recommended) a 1-2 minute intro video
- Interviews: If shortlisted, you’ll have calls with the HW team and mentors.
- Quick Pitch Event: Final decision is often based on this live pitch session in Dallas.
🔍 What They’re Looking For:
- A clear healthcare problem with a novel solution
- A coachable, driven founding team
- Market potential and pathway to scalability
- Visibility and credibility in the healthcare space
Health Wildcatters Accelerator Benefits
🎯 Mentorship
- Access to 200+ expert mentors
- Weekly check-ins, workshops, and office hours
- Industry-specific insights and fundraising guidance
🤝 Networking
- Direct connections to investors, hospitals, health systems, and regulators
- Introductions to potential pilots and customers
- Over 40 million media impressions annually
🏢 Resources & Support
- Office space at Pegasus Park (if in-person)
- In-kind perks: marketing, legal, prototyping, and software tools
- Support from ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub (national-level exposure)
🚀 Growth & Investment
- Pitch at Demo Day in front of top investors
- Eligibility for follow-on funding
- Join a portfolio of 118+ startups that have raised $350M+
Tips for a Winning Health Wildcatters Application
📚 1. Do Your Homework
Before you begin your application, take time to thoroughly research Health Wildcatters Accelerator. Read through their mission, explore their portfolio of alumni companies, and review news articles and blog posts featuring past cohorts. This will give you a solid understanding of what types of startups they support and how they define success. Familiarize yourself with their focus on healthtech, medtech, and digital health solutions. Then, tailor your messaging and application responses to reflect alignment with their values, goals, and areas of interest. A well-researched application demonstrates your seriousness and commitment to the program.
💡 2. Be Problem-Focused & Patient-Centric
Start with a clear, concise definition of the healthcare problem you’re solving. Who does it affect, and how big is the issue? Use real-world examples and statistics if possible. Explain how your innovation improves patient outcomes, reduces costs, enhances access to care, or fills a critical gap in the healthcare system. Emphasizing the patient benefit and systemic value of your solution will resonate with reviewers who are looking for startups that can make a real-world impact.
📊 3. Demonstrate Traction or Validation
Even if you’re in the early stages, it’s essential to show some level of progress or market validation. Examples include:
- Letters of intent (LOIs) from hospitals, clinics, or payers.
- Completed or upcoming clinical pilots or partnerships.
- Early product-market fit indicators, such as MVP testing data, user engagement, or initial revenue.
- Testimonials or case studies from early adopters or clinicians.
Quantifying your traction with metrics—no matter how modest—demonstrates momentum and credibility.
🎤 4. Perfect Your Pitch Deck
Your pitch deck is your storytelling tool. It should quickly and clearly convey your startup’s potential. Make sure it covers:
- Problem – What challenge are you solving?
- Solution – What’s your product or service, and how does it work?
- Market Size – How big is the opportunity, and who are your target customers?
- Business Model – How do you make money or plan to?
- Traction – What have you accomplished so far?
- Competitive Landscape – Who else is solving this problem, and how are you different?
- Team – Why are you the right team to succeed?
Visual clarity and brevity are key. Keep it under 15 slides and avoid jargon.
🎥 5. Share a Video Introduction
Health Wildcatters Accelerator often requests a short video to get to know the founders behind the startup. Use this opportunity to:
- Introduce your founding team and their backgrounds.
- Share why you’re passionate about solving this healthcare problem.
- Highlight your mission, vision, and what motivates you.
- Express what you hope to gain from the Health Wildcatters program.
Keep the video under 2 minutes, but make it engaging and authentic. Don’t worry about high production quality—clarity and sincerity matter most.
📣 6. Show You’re Coachable
Investors and mentors look for founders who are eager to learn and open to feedback. Show self-awareness in your application by acknowledging areas where you’re still learning or challenges you’ve faced. Share examples of how you’ve adapted based on feedback. Being coachable doesn’t mean lacking confidence—it means you’re committed to continuous improvement and willing to collaborate with advisors to make your startup stronger.
🧑🤝🧑 7. Highlight Team Strength
A strong team is often the deciding factor in an application. Highlight your team’s relevant experience in healthcare, technology, product development, or startups. Include:
- Bios of core team members
- Experience with healthcare systems or regulatory pathways
- Relationships with clinicians, hospital networks, or research institutions
- Previous entrepreneurial experience or successful exits
If you’re a solo founder, emphasize your network of advisors, part-time contributors, or consultants.
📍 8. Demonstrate Fit with Dallas & the Program
Health Wildcatters is based in Dallas, and while the program is hybrid, showing that you can build local connections is a bonus. If you have any ties to Texas—such as potential hospital partners, pilot opportunities, academic collaborations, or personal/professional roots—mention them. If you don’t, explain how you plan to leverage the Dallas healthcare ecosystem and contribute to it. Demonstrating geographic alignment strengthens your case and shows you’re invested in becoming part of their community.
Health Wildcatters by the Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Portfolio | 118 Companies |
| Total Funding Raised | $350M+ |
| Seed Investment | $30K |
| Equity Taken | 8% |
| Mentors | 200+ |
| In-Kind Perks Value | $200K+ |
| Demo Day Exposure | Millions in investor reach |
FAQs
❓ Does HW take equity?
Yes, 8% equity in exchange for the $30K investment and program access.
❓ Is the program fully in-person?
It follows a hybrid model. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged, especially for networking and quick pitch events.
❓ Do I need a working prototype to apply?
It helps, but it’s not required. Early-stage concepts with a solid plan and team can be accepted.
❓ Can international startups apply?
The program mainly serves U.S.-based startups, but exceptions may be made if the team can engage virtually and eventually enter the U.S. market.
❓ What happens after the program?
Startups pitch at Demo Day and receive ongoing support. Many secure additional investment and partnerships post-program.
Final Thoughts: Is Health Wildcatters Right for You?
If you’re building a healthcare startup with bold ambitions and a real-world impact, Health Wildcatters could be your growth partner. From seed capital and expert mentorship to long-term investor support and national exposure, the program offers everything an early-stage healthcare venture needs to level up.
Apply with a clear plan, a committed team, and a focus on solving one of healthcare’s biggest challenges. The Health Wildcatters Accelerator doesn’t just prepare you for investors—it helps you build a company that matters.
📌 The 2025 application window is now open—submit your application today on F6S and take your healthcare startup to the next level.
