One annual partnership covers the NEXT Awards Champion Sponsorship and a HealthStream Track inside Nashville's healthcare accelerator, with year-round introductions, events, and content between them. In return: a steady supply of companies for the HealthStream platform, a public role in Nashville healthcare as HealthStream becomes a platform company, and a visible stake in founders who are nurses and clinicians.
Vetted companies building what HealthStream's customers ask for, each one a candidate for the platform.
Companies introduced · companies in the Track · pilot and platform conversations opened
Scheduling and credentialing, where EC's founders concentrate and the platform has the most room. Selected by operating stage, not funding history: MVP and early validation, where a HealthStream relationship can still shape the product.
Current founders, members, and alumni across Project Healthcare, InFlight, LIGHT, and EC membership, whenever a fit turns up. Already in motion with Seek Health and Yeji X.
HealthStream receives a qualified shortlist, not the applicant pool. Any company HealthStream recommends enters the shortlist. Companies HealthStream passes on may still join Project Healthcare or another EC program.
A Track company that arrives before its Project Healthcare sprint receives EC membership until it starts. Introductions to HealthStream begin on arrival.
HealthStream in front of the investors, health systems, and peers it wants to be seen by.
Events held and attendance · who was in the room · content published and reach
Startups raising capital meet investors in HealthStream's meeting rooms the day before each Nashville Entrepreneur Day, with HealthStream's name on the day. First one December 2, 2026.
Track companies pitch in their own block, in front of investors, health systems, and HealthStream's peers. HealthStream may announce investments or platform partnerships there; that is HealthStream's decision. The block closes with the $5,000 HealthStream Health Tech Award, open to any health tech company pitching that day. EC sets the rubric and runs the judging; HealthStream holds a seat on the panel.
A HealthStream Track landing page on ec.co, a profile of every Track company, and four videos a year featuring HealthStream executives and Track founders. A demo event at EC during VIVE week in March, and EC's presence at HLTH. Other conferences by mutual agreement, at HealthStream's cost.
HealthStream backing founders who came from the clinical floor, in front of the people who use its products and the systems that buy them.
Scholarships awarded · clinician-founded companies supported
For companies with at least one founder who is a nurse or clinician. Additional clinician-founded companies join at standard tuition.
The profiles and videos in the year's content start with the founders HealthStream's scholarships put in the room.
Any of the 14 seats HealthStream opens go first to Track and clinician founders.
Track companies pay Project Healthcare tuition. The partnership funds the Track, the year-round program, and the two scholarships. It is not investment capital.
A track inside Project Healthcare, on a model EC has already run.
EC ran this structure in spring 2026 as the Project Healthcare Commercialization track, with Launch Tennessee and Life Science Tennessee. Five companies commercialized. A sponsor-named track inside the broader cohort, a sponsor executive meeting with every company monthly, co-branded marketing throughout.
Any investment, acquisition, or commercial relationship between HealthStream and a company is negotiated directly between the two parties, separate from the program.
Project Healthcare's national pipeline, HLTH, InFlight, LIGHT, EC membership, and alumni. HealthStream refers inbound companies it wants developed.
The healthcare curriculum, plus a HealthStream-specific set of sessions and connections for Track companies. Companies emerge understanding the platform, its integration requirements, and go-to-market.
Neither is committed across the Track. Founders are told so at the start. Front-end vetting against HealthStream's own priorities is a positive indicator, not a promise.
One invoice a year. Two reports. One review.
The $60,000 funds the Track, standing introductions, Investor Rounds, the Nashville Entrepreneur Day block and award, the VIVE-week demo, content, and two Clinician Founder Scholarships.
Renews annually after that unless either party gives 60 days' notice. Year one: $40,000 on invoice in October 2026, $60,000 by January 15, 2027. Each year after: $100,000 invoiced October 1.
Companies introduced. Companies in the Track. Pilot and platform conversations opened. Events held and attendance. Content published and reach. Scholarships awarded. December and June, with a renewal review each August where HealthStream sets priorities for the year ahead.
This proposal establishes terms. On agreement, EC issues a contract stating scope and fee. EC responds within 2 business days on anything HealthStream sends back.
Confirmation of terms. EC issues the NEXT Awards invoice now and the contract on agreement.
Sam Davidson, CEO, Nashville Entrepreneur Center — sam.davidson@ec.co