Sprint (NYSE: S) has a clear message for wireless startups: work with us. The carrier said that in 2016, the Sprint Accelerator, powered by Techstars, will expand its scope from just mobile healthcare to all kinds of mobile technologies as Sprint looks to provide funding for startups. The carrier and Techstars said that startups from around the United States and the world are welcome to apply to the 2016 program and the carrier plans to pick 10 startups to back. Sprint said it welcomes startups in a wide variety of categories to apply, including wearables, mobile advertising, digital services, mobile commerce, enterprise services, in-home convergence, government solutions and analytics.
The Sprint Accelerator, based in Kansas City, was started three years ago, and is a three-month, mentor-driven program for startups. Participating companies relocate to Kansas City for the duration of the program to build and strengthen their businesses and each company receives up to $120,000 in funding. The 2016 session will begin Feb. 22 and will conclude with a "Demo Day" on May 24. Release