Startup Prize: Focus on Health Hosts Record-Breaking Qualifying Event in Shreveport
SHREVEPORT, La. — Startup Prize: Focus on Health, a national competition for early-stage health startups organized by the Prize Foundation, hosted its largest-ever in-person Qualifying Event June 20–22 in downtown Shreveport. Backed by generous support from Louisiana Economic Development, the event attracted 41 startups from 15 states, representing a broad spectrum of health innovation from both emerging markets and major metros like Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Austin, and New Orleans.
The weekend-long event provided mentorship, networking, and business development opportunities for startups working to advance innovation in healthcare delivery, accessibility, and outcomes. Participants engaged in one-on-one sessions with subject-matter experts, collaborative roundtables, and direct conversations with investors — all part of Startup Prize’s distinct model that prioritizes strategic growth over traditional pitch competitions.
“This year’s Startup Prize Qualifier, and the spirit and energy in the room, showed that Startup Prize is a required stop for anyone looking to gain wisdom, guidance and direction for themselves and their companies,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Executive Director of the Prize Foundation. “It’s been amazing watching this event grow into one of the country’s preeminent health-focused entrepreneur events.”
A Focus on Real-World Impact
Startups were divided into two competition tracks — FDA and Non-FDA — based on their regulatory requirements for bringing products to market. The competition charges no entry fees, takes no equity, and offers mentorship and commercialization support from nationally recognized partners including MassChallenge, Health Wildcatters, and Harvard i-Labs.
The unique format, which de-emphasizes formal pitches, is designed to help founders overcome real-world barriers and accelerate their go-to-market strategies.
Finalists and Awards
In late July, five finalist companies will be selected to return to Shreveport for the Startup Prize Final Final, taking place in late August. There, finalists will present their refined business models to an Investor-Judge panel and undergo in-depth questioning on feasibility and market potential.
Two grand prize winners—one from each track—will be awarded $10,000 in cash, with additional opportunities for direct investment or continued mentorship from the judging panel.
About Startup Prize: Focus on Health
Startup Prize: Focus on Health is one of the nation’s only entrepreneurial competitions solely dedicated to improving health and healthcare delivery. Operated by the Prize Foundation, a Shreveport-based nonprofit, the competition aims to create meaningful impact by supporting scalable, innovative ideas that can transform lives.
To learn more, visit startupprize.com.