CTIA Wireless Foundation Awards Catalyst 2025 Winners

Rooted, a start-up using wireless for mortgage readiness, receives top grant of $100,000

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CTIA Wireless Foundation announced the Catalyst 2025 Winners: Rooted, Uprooted Academy, CareHome Health Solutions and CareMessage. Catalyst is a competitive grants program for social entrepreneurs using 5G and leading-edge wireless to address pressing challenges in American communities.

"The wireless industry fuels innovation across the United States. Through the Catalyst program, the Foundation is advancing positive impact powered by mobile-first technology," said Ajit Pai, President of CTIA Wireless Foundation and President & CEO of CTIA. "We are proud to celebrate the Catalyst 2025 Winners, a group of innovative social entrepreneurs using wireless solutions for healthcare, education and financial readiness."

The top grant prize of $100,000 was awarded to Rooted, a mobile platform for mortgage readiness, built to help individuals become first-time homebuyers. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the Rooted platform connects users to expert coaching via SMS text messaging to drive gains in financial stability, homeownership and wealth creation.

Catalyst also awarded finalists Uprooted Academy with a $50,000 grant, and CareHome Health Solutions and CareMessage each with $25,000 grants. Uprooted Academy is a mobile platform and AI-powered SMS text message coaching system for college admission counseling of low-income students. CareHome Health is a remote automated medication dispenser for medication management and CareMessage is an AI-enhanced SMS text messaging system to improve health outcomes for low-income populations.

"The Catalyst 2025 Winners are bringing innovative mobile-first solutions to millions of Americans across pressing issues," said Dori Kreiger, Executive Director of CTIA Wireless Foundation. "Now in our sixth year, I am thrilled to welcome Rooted, Uprooted Academy, CareHome Health Solutions and CareMessage to our dynamic Catalyst Alumni."

Three additional finalists – Alva Health, My First Nest Egg and Novobeing – were each awarded Honorable mention grants of $10,000.

Catalyst 2025 marks the sixth year of the Foundation signature initiative, with more than $1 million awarded in unrestricted funding to more than 25 early-stage organizations. This year the program saw record applications, with an over 80% increase in program applications from 2024.

Thank you to our Catalyst 2025 sponsors: Qualcomm, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Assurant, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, American Tower, Ellipsis Productions and Wiley Rein.

30 Years of Wireless Social Innovation

For more than 30 years, CTIA Wireless Foundation has been at the forefront of wireless-driven social innovation, leading initiatives to address societal challenges such as public safety, domestic violence, children's health, mental health and distracted driving. Our mission is to fuel positive social impact by using innovative wireless technology in American communities.

About CTIA Wireless Foundation

CTIA Wireless Foundation (www.wirelessfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing positive social impact fueled by innovative wireless technology in American communities. CTIA Wireless Foundation was formed by CTIA^® member companies in 1991. Follow CITA Wireless Foundation on LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Foundation