Louisiana Launches Rural Tech Catalyst Fund to Advance Rural Health Care Innovation

BATON ROUGE, La. — The State of Louisiana announced the launch of the Rural Tech Catalyst Fund (RTCF), a new whole-of-government initiative between Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Department of Health designed to strengthen rural health care systems, expand access to quality care and accelerate health care technology deployment across Louisiana’s rural communities.

Supported through the Rural Health Transformation Program, a more than $1 billion federal investment over five years, the initiative will connect health care providers, entrepreneurs, investors, universities and technology companies to help address challenges facing Louisiana’s 1.1 million rural residents. Through those partnerships, RTCF will support new care models, modernize health care infrastructure and create opportunities for startup growth and private investment in rural regions across the state.

“Louisiana’s rural communities deserve access to high-quality, affordable and sustainable health care solutions close to home,” Governor Jeff Landry said . “The Rural Tech Catalyst Fund will help drive innovative care models, strengthen health care access in underserved areas, and improve outcomes for patients and families across rural Louisiana.”

Louisiana is one of only a handful of states to establish a health care-focused catalyst fund through its Rural Health Transformation Program, positioning the state among national leaders using technology and public-private collaboration to advance rural health care.

“Louisiana has an opportunity to lead the nation in reimagining how rural health care is delivered by building on the strengths of our rural communities and accelerating innovation,” LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein said. “Through the Rural Tech Catalyst Fund, we are bringing together providers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to create smarter, more sustainable systems of care for rural Louisianans.”

The initiative will be managed through Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), a division of LED that oversees the state’s early-stage technology investment and startup support efforts.

In 2025, Louisiana Innovation helped drive record growth in startup capital deployment across the state, with more than $50 million invested in Louisiana startups and a 100% year-over-year increase in capital deployment. Through its innovation and investment strategy, LA.IO has helped position Louisiana as a destination for entrepreneurs, investors and high-growth companies capable of solving major industry challenges, including health care.

“This initiative is yet another example of how our whole-of-government approach is strengthening Louisiana’s competitiveness and positioning our state to lead in emerging industries,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “Being one of only a handful of states selected for this opportunity — and the only one in the Gulf South — reinforces that Louisiana is building the partnerships and innovation ecosystem needed to compete and win.”

The Rural Tech Catalyst Fund will focus on:

• Expanding workforce capacity in rural health care
• Supporting startup growth and private investment
• Strengthening health care technology infrastructure
• Creating pathways for companies to pilot and scale solutions in rural Louisiana
• Building partnerships among government, health care providers, and industry leaders

Applications for the RTCF are now open and can be submitted here.

Additional details regarding the Rural Tech Catalyst Fund, including partnership opportunities and program timelines, will be announced in the coming months.

About Louisiana Department of Health
The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all state residents. The Louisiana Department of Health includes the Office of Public Health, Office of Aging and Adult Services, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Economic Stability, Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability, Office on Women’s Health and Community Health, and Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid). To learn more, visit ldh.la.gov.

About Louisiana Innovation <LA.IO>
Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO) is a division of Louisiana Economic Development dedicated to strengthening and modernizing the state’s core industries through innovation. LA.IO supports high-potential, tech-enabled startups by connecting founders to capital, fostering partnerships across accelerators, universities, investors, and industry, and advancing transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced automation. Learn more at LA.IO.

About LED
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state’s business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy. LED cultivates jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana, and promotes business opportunity for employers of all sizes. For more information, visit OpportunityLouisiana.com.