Health Wildcatters, the Dallas-based seed accelerator for early-stage healthcare startups, recently hosted the 8th annual Texas Healthcare Challenge Hackathon at Pegasus Park in Dallas to unlock new answers to healthcare’s most pressing problems.

TXHCC received a record number of more than 230 applications. Of those, 120 participants were selected to compete in an immersive, 48-hour innovation sprint.

Dr. Hubert Zajicek, co-founder, CEO, and partner of Health Wildcatters, said the future of healthcare “isn’t solved in theory, it’s built through action.”

“The TXHCC Hackathon weekend demonstrated the power of our ecosystem, bringing together innovators to transform bold ideas into real, impactful solutions,” he added in a statement.

Participants working in interdisciplinary teams had 48 hours to turn early-stage concepts and functional prototypes into actionable solutions “to improve health outcomes, expand access, improve patient experience, and drive system-wide efficiency,” Health Wildcatters said.

One of the winning teams at the 8th annual Texas Healthcare Challenge Hackathon. [Photo: Health Wildcatters]

Tackling healthcare’s biggest challenges

The 2026 hackathon was supported by a network of 20 exceptional mentors from across clinical care, artificial intelligence, product development, venture strategy, healthcare leadership, and healthcare operations. Mentors offered hands-on support, pivotal insight, and real-time feedback to teams throughout the weekend.

The Texas Healthcare Challenge aims to create real-world healthcare solutions by bringing together multidisciplinary minds to address pressing industry problems. This year’s hackathon was supported by presenting sponsor Texas Health Resources, along with key sponsors including the SMU Cox School of Business Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Polsinelli, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Gaotharra LLC, Children’s Health, and Wells Fargo, as well as additional support from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Protoboard by Delta Robotics, and Biotech+ at Pegasus Park.

One of the winning teams at the 8th annual Texas Healthcare Challenge Hackathon. [Photo: Health Wildcatters]

This year’s Texas Health track, themed “Improving the Health of Our Communities: Advancing Outcomes, Access, Sustainability, and Experience,” challenged participants to develop innovative, data-driven solutions to such critical health issues as maternal mortality, chronic disease, healthcare access, food insecurity, and preventive screenings.

“Innovation is a key part of Texas Health’s commitment to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Brandon Pope, senior vice president, strategy and analytics, Texas Health Resources. “Collaborating with Health Wildcatters in the Texas Healthcare Challenge is a way we support and engage the broader healthcare community in DFW to develop innovative solutions for health improvement.”

A final pitch presentation at the 8th annual Texas Healthcare Challenge Hackathon. [Photo: Health Wildcatters]

Hackathon prize winners

A total of 13 teams formed during the challenge and competed across three primary tracks: the Texas Health Resources Track, the MedTech Track powered by Protoboard by Delta Robotics, and the Open Track, which welcomed transformative solutions across the healthcare landscape.

Texas Health Resources Track

First Place – SurgeReady Health: AI platform for surgical preparedness and coordination

Second Place – Price Pulse: Crowdsourced healthcare pricing transparency platform

Third Place – TrueStep: AI-driven discharge planning tool Honorable Mention – Trust Root Health: Platform advancing trust in underserved communities

Open Track

First Place (Tie) – ColonOwl: AI-enabled colorectal screening follow-up system; Mind Bridge: AI mental health support companion

Pre-Hacking Track

First Place – Scalpel.ai: AI platform for healthcare quality and operations

MedTech Track (Led by Protoboard by Delta Robotics)

First Place – Promptly: AI platform for patient-provider communication

Second Place – Tomato Roll: Mobility solution for rehabilitation and independence

Third Place – Foot Forward: AI-powered diabetic foot ulcer detection

Honorable Mention – Clarity: Smart assistive glasses for cognitive support

The hackathon culminated on Saturday evening, when finalist teams presented their solutions to a distinguished panel of judges representing leading healthcare and innovation organizations, including Texas Health Resources, the SMU Cox School of Business Spears Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, BioNTX, and Pegasus Park.

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