March 7-11, 2025

SXSW 2025

Innovation in Action:
Connect with Catalyst at SXSW 2025

Catalyst by Wellstar is the first-of-its-kind innovation company and venture firm created by one of the largest health systems in Georgia. We build better healthcare by harnessing problems, creating solutions, and partnering across industries to deploy a true ecosystem of care.

This year at SXSW, our focus was on sustainability in healthcare—an urgent challenge that directly impacts patient care, operational efficiency, and long-term health system resilience.
Our presence at SXSW kicked off with the panel Spurring Innovation – The Power of Local Ecosystems & Public-Private Partnerships, hosted by FINN x Humble House. Patric Rayburn moderated a fascinating discussion with Allyson Eman, Claire Ross and Gareth Evans on how local partnerships fuel healthcare innovation, expanding beyond state borders and driving real impact.
Join our SXSW panel to discover how one of Georgia's largest health systems is driving a more sustainable and healthy future by investing in innovative startups.
Connect with venture analyst Yasho Singh at the Capital Factory House to share your vision for the future of healthcare. We are actively seeking breakthrough ideas, and are investing in, and piloting with, early-stage startups (pre-seed to Series A).
Where else but at SXSW can you explore the intersection of climate and health in a panel that covered everything from onsite energy⚡️, the circular economy♻️, patient + team member engagement 🩺 and learn that bees 🐝 buzz in the key of C?
Watch as Gareth Evans shares the mission of VECKTA at SXSW and how the collaboration with Engage led to a pilot and enterprise contract with Wellstar Health System and a direct investment from Catalyst to increase energy efficiency, resilience, and explore onsite energy systems.
Attend our panel at the Finn | Humble House on Friday March 7th. "Spurring Innovation" brings together founders, investors, and innovation ecosystem leaders to discuss how local ecosystems collaborate to generate innovation in healthcare and beyond.
The Capital Factory Startup Crawl at SXSW lit up Friday night in Austin. Think of it as networking meets a high-energy showcase where founders, investors, and future changemakers connect over bold ideas.
We kicked off Friday at SXSW at FINN x Humble House, diving into the Future of Healthcare. We explored the power of local ecosystems driving innovation in sustainability, AI & Digital Healthcare and more.
The legendary Capital Factory Startup Crawl is next Friday in Austin, and Catalyst will be immersed in the action. Join venture analyst Yasho Singh and the Catalyst team throughout the Capital Factory House events as we search for breakthrough healthcare solutions, make investor connections, and soak up the startup energy.
Part of our Startups Cultivating Sustainability panel at SXSW 2025, VECKTA helps businesses deploy onsite energy solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance resilience. VECKTA is partnering with Catalyst to upgrade energy efficiency at select Wellstar locations. Learn more on our partnership with VECKTA.
Part of our Startups Cultivating Sustainability panel at SXSW 2025, Bee Downtown brings sustainable beekeeping to corporate campuses, fostering environmental and community impact. Catalyst supports this mission by housing hives at Wellstar Vinings Health Park and donating the honey to Open Hand Atlanta. See more on our partnership with Bee Downtown.
One of our Startups Cultivating Sustainability panelists at SXSW 2025, Volo Earth Ventures provides early-stage funding and strategic leadership to climate tech companies driving the energy transition. Through this partnership, Catalyst backs 30+ companies pioneering solutions in clean energy, decarbonization, and resource efficiency. Check out our partnership announcement.

Connect
With Us

Be part of an immersive, multi-day experience where leading minds gather to share creative ideas and cutting-edge innovations across industries.

Friday, March 7, 2025
Future of Health Day
Atelier 1205 | 1205 E Cesar Chavez St.
11:30am-12:15pm

Catalyst, alongside startups, NGOs, corporations, and venture capital leaders, will explore the “Future of Health” at the FINN x Humble House. Through engaging panels and discussions, we’ll spotlight transformative trends in sustainability, public-private partnerships, digital innovation, and AI driving the next wave of healthcare innovation.

Spurring Innovation: The Power of Local Ecosystems & Public-Private Partnerships
Moderator: Patric Rayburn, Head of Engagement, Catalyst by Wellstar
Panelists:
– Allyson Eman, CEO, Venture Atlanta
– Gareth Evans, Founder, VECKTA (Catalyst portfolio company, Wellstar strategic partner, and Engage cohort member)
– Claire Ross, Founder & CEO, MixEatUp

Register here

Startup Crawl
Capital Factory House | 701 Brazos St.
6:00-9:00pm

Startup Crawl has been the biggest party at SXSW since 2011. Over one hundred startups and partners set up tables to demo their products and talk to thousands of potential customers, investors, and employees.

Register here

March 7-11, 2025
Investor Office Hours
Capital Factory House | 701 Brazos St.
Full Day

Calling All Startups at SXSW! Join Catalyst by Wellstar for Investor Office Hours at the Capital Factory. This is a great opportunity to connect with our team, share your vision, and discuss the innovative work you’re doing. We’re excited to meet startups driving change across industries and explore the latest ideas shaping the future of healthcare and beyond. Catalyst by Wellstar venture analyst Yasho Singh will be onsite throughout Capital Factory House looking for breakthrough ideas and founders to invest and pilot with at Wellstar Health System, one of the largest health systems in the Southeast.

Reserve your spot now – we’d love to hear from you!

Sunday, March 9, 2025
Panel: Health System-Backed Startups Cultivating Sustainability
Austin Convention Center | SXSW Expo - Next Stage - Exhibit Hall 4
10:00-11:00am

Discover how one of Georgia’s largest health systems is driving a more sustainable and healthier future by investing in innovative startups.

Moderator: Hank Capps, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Wellstar Health System and President of Catalyst by Wellstar

Panelists:
– Leigh-Kathryn Bonner, Founder and CEO, Bee Downtown
– Gareth Evans, Founder and CEO, VECKTA
– Eric Riesenberg, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, VoLo Earth Ventures

SXSW attendees: Register here

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