Banner Health and Arizona State University have officially launched PulseWorks, a health innovation incubator dedicated to accelerating early-stage ventures in AI diagnostics, remote patient monitoring, and hospital data operations. This collaboration gives emerging HealthTech startups unprecedented access to hospital-grade data and clinical testing environments right here in Phoenix.
Mission and Vision
- Mission: PulseWorks aims to de-risk product development by giving startups a direct path from prototype to pilot testing. The goal? To help promising HealthTech ventures validate solutions inside real-world clinical settings far earlier than typical accelerator timelines.
- Vision: The incubator envisions a thriving Phoenix HealthTech corridor, where innovation in diagnostics, patient engagement, and hospital workflow tools spring from local founders leveraging deep clinical partnerships. PulseWorks isn’t just supporting startups, it’s helping establish Phoenix as a national hub for practical, hospital-integrated health tech.
Backing and Institutional Muscle
The significance of PulseWorks extends well beyond its co-founders. Banner Health, a nonprofit system headquartered in Phoenix, operates 30+ hospitals across the Western U.S. and holds a mission of “making healthcare easier, so life can be better,” with a vision centered on coordinated patient experience and clinical excellence. Meanwhile, ASU brings strong research acumen and a growing tech-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem through its Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development. Together, they’re creating a well‑resourced pipeline where startups can scale smart, rather than fast and flawed.
Leadership Team Powering PulseWorks
Leadership makes the difference and PulseWorks is backed by seasoned executives from both organizations:
Banner Health Leadership
- Amy Perry, President and CEO – Leading Banner since November 2021, Perry has prioritized tech-forward strategies in chronic disease management, data integration, and quality care delivery.
- D. Scott Nordlund, EVP, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer – A key figure in steering Banner’s expansion into new clinical and digital arenas.
- Michael Reagin, EVP and Chief Technology Officer – Brings deep experience deploying enterprise and clinical technologies across Banner’s network.
ASU Partnership Leads
- Banner’s Office of Clinical Partnerships (tied into ASU) has a track record of collaboration on simulation-based education, Alzheimer’s research, and data-sharing infrastructure.
- ASU’s entrepreneurship unit provides curriculum, mentorship, and investor access within Phoenix's bustling startup environment.
Why This Matters for Phoenix Founders
- Faster Clinical Validation – Startups can now test early-stage solutions inside Banner hospitals instead of asking hospitals to re-teach use cases. That means speed, collaboration, and prioritized feedback loops.
- Reduced Barrier to Entry – Gone are the days of relocating to Boston or San Francisco for clinical access. PulseWorks enables Phoenix-based entrepreneurs to scale locally, with tangible clinical traction before a full-scale launch
- A HealthTech Ecosystem in Flight – As PulseWorks recruits its first cohort, expect to see increased innovation in digital diagnostics, predictive analytics, and device workflows—attractive to talent, investors, and national media.
What’s Next
PulseWorks plans to unveil its first cohort in Q3 2025, with a structured curriculum including:
- Clinical immersion days in Banner’s hospitals
- Dedicated technical mentorship from ASU faculty
- Pilot prep — from defining KPIs to deploying FDA-compliant workflows
- Access to Banner Health data sets for algorithm development
For Phoenix’s startup community, PulseWorks isn’t just an incubator. It’s a promise: every AI-enabled diagnostic, every workflow automation tool, and every remote patient monitoring device can now start its journey right here.
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