From the veteran using the device in their hands to access a network of support during a crisis, to the rural patient receiving texts connecting them to lifesaving medical care, CTIA Wireless Foundation’s Catalyst program supports mobile-first innovations making a real impact.
Innovations developed by Catalyst alumni have touched 30 million lives, meaning nearly 1 in 12 Americans have been impacted by the mobile-first innovations supported through the signature grants program.
Catalyst is CTIA Wireless Foundation’s competitive grants program for social entrepreneurs using leading-edge wireless to address pressing challenges in American communities. The Foundation has invested more than $1 million in over 30 social entrepreneurs bringing real impact to education, health and wellness, veterans’ services and community & economic development.
“CTIA Wireless Foundation is having a tremendous impact accelerating the work of social entrepreneurs using wireless-enabled technologies to better their communities,” said Ajit Pai, President of CTIA Wireless Foundation and President & CEO of CTIA. “The Catalyst program is a celebration of American ingenuity and gives the entrepreneurs who are leveraging wireless the chance to succeed with both financial and other support.”
CTIA Wireless Foundation plays a key role in ensuring that groundbreaking ideas receive the support needed to scale and transform communities.
“CTIA Wireless Foundation has been instrumental in accelerating wireless innovations that create lasting solutions in communities across the country,” said Dori Kreiger, Executive Director of CTIA Wireless Foundation. “Our impact numbers show the power of mobile-first tools to bring solutions to millions.”
Health & Wellness
Through mobile-first health and wellness applications, Catalyst advances wireless powered solutions that are bridging the rural healthcare divide, developing innovative wearables and improving patient outcomes. The Foundation has enhanced the health and wellness of more than 20 million people.
Take Catalyst 2022 Winner OxiWear, an ear-wearable pulse-oximeter for continuous oxygen monitoring and low-oxygen alerting. When OxiWear received the Catalyst award, they just had a prototype of their device. Now, it’s the first wearable pulse oximeter in the market to get FDA clearance for continuous blood oxygen measurements for still and active people.
Education
The Foundation powers wireless-driven educational tools to provide immersive experiences, tutoring and 24/7 support, while closing the digital divide for hundreds of thousands of Americans.
The Catalyst grants go beyond funding. Grantees receive a video profiling their wireless solution, opportunities to meet government officials and wireless industry experts and access to an alumni community of social entrepreneurs.
For Catalyst 2024 Winner Healthy Hip Hop, an app that harnesses hip hop to create interactive educational content for elementary school children, the video created pivotal storytelling opportunities.
“The storytelling was just incredible and game changing,” said Roy Scott, Founder & CEO of Healthy Hip Hop. “To be able to see the actual work being done and have that curated in such a way that the story was told so incredibly, really gave us more opportunity to make an impact and reach more people.”
Veteran Support
Today, more than 400,000 veterans are benefiting from wireless-driven access to critical mental health support, thanks to the work of the CTIA Wireless Foundation.
The first Catalyst Winner, Objective Zero, a mobile app connecting service members, veterans and their families and caregivers to a nationwide network of peer and civilian support through text, voice and video chat, used the connections provided by the award recognition to bring live-saving technology to more Americans.
“Not only did we get the Catalyst funding that allowed us to help more people, but we were also able to connect with people within the wireless community, policymakers and the FCC,” said Betsey Mercado, Co-Founder of Objective Zero Foundation. “It wasn’t just the funding; it was the ability to amplify our voices and the voices of the people we served.”
Community & Economic Development
Catalyst accelerates wireless powered tools that enhance communities and transform access to key resources that improve American lives. Through mobile-first solutions, the Foundation is helping more people own homes and combatting food insecurity. Four million lives have been impacted by Catalyst Alumni in community and economic development, including 2025 Winner, Rooted.
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These stories are just a glimpse into the impact created when social entrepreneurs use wireless technology to solve pressing issues. CTIA Wireless Foundation is committed to continuing to create lasting impact in American communities through wireless for good.
Catalyst 2026 just launched and is accepting applications. Social entrepreneurs using wireless to create impact across the country are encouraged to apply. With wireless, the possibilities are endless.
