Rural Tech Catalyst Fund (RTCF)
Louisiana is building the nation’s leading rural health innovation ecosystem by connecting healthcare, technology, investment, and economic development to improve outcomes for rural communities.
The Rural Tech Catalyst Fund (RTCF) is a segment of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The RTCF is a partnership between the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), a division of Louisiana Economic Development (LED). The partnership is designed to support innovative companies, entrepreneurs, healthcare organizations, and partners working to improve healthcare access, delivery, and sustainability across rural Louisiana.
More than 1.1 million Louisianans live in rural communities. RTCF is focused on helping rural healthcare providers, communities, and innovators work together to improve outcomes, strengthen workforce capacity, expand preventive care, and build sustainable models of care that put rural patients first.
Key Federal Requirements
- The company has been in operation for less than 10 years
- The company has raised less than $50m
- The company is a U.S.-based entity
What We’re Building and Why Now
Louisiana is bringing together healthcare transformation, technology innovation, workforce development, and economic growth in a coordinated statewide effort. RTCF creates an opportunity for providers, startups, investors, and communities to align around shared rural health goals and scale solutions that deliver measurable impact.
The RTCF is designed to:
- Accelerate rural healthcare innovation
- Support deployment of healthcare technology solutions
- Strengthen healthcare workforce capacity
- Expand partnerships between providers, startups, and investors
- Create opportunities for companies to pilot and scale in Louisiana
- Improve healthcare access, quality, and sustainability in rural communities
This initiative is part of Louisiana’s broader Rural Health Transformation Program efforts and reflects a whole-of-government approach to healthcare modernization and economic growth.
Why Louisiana
Louisiana is uniquely positioned to lead rural healthcare innovation.
Through Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), the state has built a growing startup and investment ecosystem focused on attracting and scaling high-growth companies solving major industry challenges.
In 2025:
- Louisiana startups received more than $50 million in investment
- Capital deployment increased 100% year-over-year
- Public investment helped attract significant private-sector participation
Louisiana offers:
- Real-world rural deployment environments
- Strong healthcare and public-sector partnerships
- Access to providers and community stakeholders
- Growing investor and innovation networks
- Statewide collaboration across healthcare and economic development
We are building an environment where companies can launch, validate, and scale solutions that improve rural healthcare outcomes.
Who Should Engage
We are interested in connecting with:
- Health technology startups
- Rural healthcare innovators
- Investors and venture partners
- Healthcare providers and systems
- Universities and research institutions
- Community and rural health organizations
- Strategic partners focused on healthcare transformation
Download the Application Guide here.
Stay Connected
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Together, we are building the future of rural healthcare innovation in Louisiana.