"Academia is a great area and fosters innovation, but then taking that science and translating it into something that can actually impact human health has a number of challenges. So trying to understand what those barriers are and how we can help bridge them is something that we have been able to do at ADDF and in collaboration with StartUp Health." In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, we chat with Laura Nisenbaum, PhD, Executive Director of Drug Development at the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery F...
Aug 09, 2024
Join StartUp Health NOW for a powerful episode recorded live at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC)! We explore the exciting inflection point in Alzheimer's research fueled by AI and machine learning. Hear directly from passionate founders in the StartUp Health Alzheimer's Moonshot Community: Catherine Bornbaum, PhD, CBO at RetiSpec, fresh off the company's $10M Series A, unveils a groundbreaking AI-powered device that analyzes the retina for insights into brain health. K...
Aug 01, 2024
Transforming diabetes management with DCB: On this week's StartUp Health NOW, we chat with Greta Ehlers from Diabetes Center Berne (DCB) at the 2024 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. DCB's mission? Revolutionize diabetes management with a unique global innovation challenge that attracts 100+ innovative startups. In this episode, we explore: Cutting-edge trends: Discover how AI and non-invasive monitoring are simplifying daily life for people with diabetes. A supportive launchpad...
Jul 25, 2024
The heart of AgeTech, according to Mary Furlong: "Baby Boomers want a vision of the future, not a memory of the past." In this week's StartUp Health NOW podcast episode, we dive into the booming longevity market with Mary Furlong, a legendary figure in AgeTech (senior innovation). In this excerpt from a Masterclass held for members of the StartUp Health community, Furlong shares her practical wisdom gained from more than 30 years in the industry, raising over $300 million for senior-focused busi...
Jul 19, 2024
This week on StartUp Health NOW, we explore youth wellbeing in the digital age with Katya Hancock, Founding Executive Director of Young Futures and a member of StartUp Health's Health Moonshot Impact Board. After 10 years as part of the StartUp Health executive team, Hancock brings her experience to this innovative non-profit focused on helping young people thrive online. We'll move beyond the "screen time villain" narrative and explore real solutions for navigating the digital world's tensions....
Jul 11, 2024
This episode of StartUp Health NOW features a special guest host, Steven Krein, CEO & Co-founder of StartUp Health. Earlier this week, Steve led a Masterclass with Harry Leider, MD, a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 25 years of experience. Dr. Leider offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs, sharing his expertise across various sectors – from biotech to the world of retail pharmacy giants like Walgreens. Get ready for tactical advice on understanding your customers, launching mi...
Jun 20, 2024
Virta Health is one of the greatest success stories in health tech today. Join us for an insightful StartUp Health NOW episode featuring Sami Inkinen, the visionary CEO & Founder of Virta Health, a pioneering company focused on the reversal of Type 2 diabetes. In this Masterclass, originally recorded in front of a virtual audience of entrepreneurs in the StartUp Health community, Inkinen – also a member of the community – shares his journey and the innovative strategies behind Virta Health's suc...
Jun 14, 2024
Breaking Down Silos for Alzheimer's Innovation: A Conversation with Aishu Sukumar of Gates Ventures This episode of StartUp Health NOW welcomes Aishu Sukumar of Gates Ventures in another in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board. A champion for collaboration: Explore Sukumar's vision for leveraging data and fostering collaboration among Alzheimer's innovators. From research scientist to moonshot leader: Discover Sukumar's unique career path that bridges science, b...
Jun 07, 2024
This episode of StartUp Health NOW challenges your perception of Alzheimer's in another in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board. This week's guest is Craig Ritchie, MD, PhD, CEO & Founder of Scottish Brain Sciences and a Professor at University of St. Andrews. A new view of Alzheimer's: Discover the distinction between what Dr. Ritchie calls Alzheimer's disease vs Alzheimer's dementia. The invisible threat: Learn how Alzheimer's can exist without noticeable symp...
May 31, 2024•34 min
Hope on the Horizon: A New Era of Alzheimer's Innovation This episode of StartUp Health NOW dives deep into the fight against Alzheimer's disease in the second in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer's Moonshot Impact Board. Join us as we chat with Kristina Malzbender, the Associate Director, Health & Life Sciences, at Gates Ventures. Hear from this key leader about the concrete realities behind the optimism in Alzheimer's innovation. A century of relentless pursuit: Learn how the tide...
May 23, 2024•23 min
This episode explores how MindCo Health, a company in the StartUp Health community, is leveraging "psychologist arbitrage" to make mental healthcare more accessible. Join us as we chat with Health Transformer Emilio Goldenhersch, CEO & Co-founder of MindCo Health to find out more about how his company is making mental healthcare more affordable with global talent. You'll learn about: How MindCo connects patients with highly-trained therapists from Latin America. The role of AI in making therapy ...
May 17, 2024•17 min
This episode of StartUp Health NOW shines a light on respiratory health with guest Sathya Elumalai, CEO & Co-founder of Aidar Health – a long-time member of the StartUp Health community. The power of breath: Explore how Elumalai's company, Aidar Health, is revolutionizing respiratory health with their innovative MouthLab device. More than just a breathalyzer: Discover how MouthLab measures over 10 vital signs, opening doors for future biometric applications. Combating COPD: Learn how Aidar Healt...
May 10, 2024•20 min
This StartUp Health NOW episode features two key members of StartUp Health's Health Moonshot Impact Board: Kimmi Grewal and Chuck Henderson. Kimmi Grewal, Microsoft: Learn how Microsoft helps startups scale globally, tackle security challenges, and leverage AI. Discover how Kimmi's experience informs StartUp Health's approach to supporting early-stage healthcare ventures. Chuck Henderson, American Diabetes Association: Explore how Chuck's leadership is shaping StartUp Health's vision for tacklin...
May 01, 2024
Think crowdfunding isn't for healthcare? Think again. Join us for a Masterclass with Jim Iversen, CEO & Co-founder of Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical. A long-time member of our StartUp Health community, Iversen reveals how he raised over $3 million through platforms like Red Crow and WeFunder. In this episode, you'll learn: Crowdfunding platforms best suited for health startups Strategies for launching a successful campaign Creative investor incentives, including fractional patent royalties Building a co...
Apr 26, 2024•19 min
Tired of overblown claims about AI in healthcare? This episode dives into the real, impactful ways AI is transforming patient care. Join us as we chat with founders in the StartUp Health community who are using AI to improve healthcare for patients and providers: Jerrod Ullah, HealthTalk A.I.: Hear how his experience as an ICU nurse fueled an AI platform that boosts engagement for both patients and providers. Kavi Misri, Hibiscus Health: Discover how their end-to-end solution empowers people wit...
Apr 19, 2024
In this week's StartUp Health NOW episode, we’re talking about work. Specifically the digital health workforce, and we’re talking with the one and only Polina Hanin, Senior Principal & Head of Development at Aequitas Partners. Here at StartUp Health, we had the pleasure of working with Polina for several years, and it's unlikely anyone has a better grasp on the digital health ecosystem. She’s worked with hundreds of founders and executives across healthcare. When she moved over to Aequitas, an e...
Apr 10, 2024
As a healthcare startup, you can have the best idea in the world, but if you don’t have the capital to hire the right people, build your product, and survive a long sales cycle, you’re unlikely to have a huge impact. To put it simply, raising funds has been challenging for health startups over the last couple years. In this StartUp Health NOW episode, we dive into the realm of funding challenges – and despite the hurdles, we bring you tales of hope and inspiration from two founders who successfu...
Apr 04, 2024
On today’s StartUp Health NOW episode we're bringing you an excerpt from a recent StartUp Health Masterclass featuring Lee Shapiro, the managing partner at 7wireVentures. Very few people, if any, have the experience and market understanding that Lee Shapiro has. As we’ll get into in the conversation, he’s been an investor as well as an operator, guiding Allscripts and then Livongo. More than that industry expertise, however, we appreciate Lee’s ability to put work and life in perspective. He’s b...
Mar 28, 2024
This week on StartUp Health NOW, we have again handed over the microphones to two members of our Health Moonshot Impact Board and having them interview each other. At one end of the table we’ve got Margaret Laws, CEO & President of HopeLab, former Director of Innovations for the Underserved at CHCF, and Founder of the CHCF Health Innovation Fund, and at the other end of the interview table is Shirley Bergin, Senior Advisor at ARPA-H, Former CMO/COO of TEDMED, and Advisor to Ellipsis Health and C...
Mar 22, 2024
Welcome back to StartUp Health NOW! We think it’s fair to say that when people think of StartUp Health, they think about entrepreneurs and founders. Over the last 12 or 13 years we’ve supported more than 500 health tech startups and nearly 1000 founders, many of whom have been featured on this show. Perhaps less well known is what happens behind the scenes at StartUp Health. In this episode we pull back that curtain a little bit, particularly as it pertains to our Health Moonshot Impact Board. W...
Mar 08, 2024
Because of the nature of the work we do at StartUp Health, we’re often dealing with bleeding-edge ideas and technologies. Just last week on the show we talked to a founder creating what could be the smallest implantable devices on the market. Others are working on molecules that could cure diseases. But there’s another kind of innovation that we’re equally passionate about at StartUp Health. That’s the kind of business model innovation that brings the best care and technology already available t...
Feb 23, 2024
When it comes to health technology, often the next big thing is really, really small. Our guest on the show this week, Dr. Will Hendren, has seen personally that when it comes to implanting a medical device in the body, size matters. Dr. Hendren spent decades as a surgeon working with rescue devices like pacemakers, which themselves have evolved from being the size of a pack of cigarettes to being smaller than a triple A battery. It doesn’t take a degree in biomechanical engineering to appreciat...
Feb 16, 2024
At StartUp Health, we get the pleasure of talking with many, many founders of healthcare startups. It’s a perk of the job, because each founder, each new idea, inspires us and gives us hope that we’re on the cusp of some major breakthroughs. Then reality sets in, and we’re reminded just how hard it is to go from an idea – even a brilliant one with validation – to commercialization and broad use. It’s one thing for a founder to find a single clinic to use their platform or device, but a common qu...
Feb 09, 2024
In January, StartUp Health launched the Alzheimer’s Moonshot with support from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and Gates Ventures. The Alzheimer’s Moonshot is an invitation to Health Transformers, Alzheimer’s funders, foundations, advocates, and innovators, as well as leading startups and research teams, to unite in pioneering comprehensive, collaborative approaches to Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community is powered by StartUp Health and our Health Transformer...
Feb 02, 2024
Welcome back to StartUp Health NOW, the podcast where we hear directly from the entrepreneurs and innovators who are transforming health. Typically on this show we talk to founders of startups. We’re all about understanding what’s new and next in health, and that often means talking to the people who are in the early days of creating a product or business. Most early-stage startups – healthcare or otherwise – have one thing in common. They need money. It takes a long time to get a healthcare bus...
Jan 26, 2024
This week, we're talking about gamification in healthcare. Gamification has been a popular buzzword in tech and in health, but it just means using elements we associate with games in non-game contexts. It means capitalizing on the motivations we find in games through things like progress updates and level-up badges to change behaviors and get us to do things that are going to be good for our health. Today on the show, we're talking to two founders who are gamifying the healthcare experience in t...
Jan 12, 2024
Since 2020, Charles "Chuck" Henderson has led the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as CEO. In 2023, he joined StartUp Health's Health Moonshot Impact Board, a unique, multi-disciplinary group of stakeholders passionate about advancing health innovation. On the Health Moonshot Impact Board, Henderson joins top thought leaders like Dr. Toby Cosgrove (former CEO, Cleveland Clinic) and Sue Siegel (former CEO, GE Ventures). In this StartUp Health NOW episode, StartUp Health's Logan Plaster sat dow...
Jan 04, 2024
On this week’s StartUp Health NOW episode, we're talking about the future of gut health with Jeff Glueck, CEO & Co-founder of Salvo Health, and Swathi Arulguppe, CEO & Founder at BetterMeal AI. There's no doubt gut health is having a moment. For a long time, health issues in the gut, like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease, were met with outdated pamphlets about diets. The result was millions of people suffering in silence with painful, life-limiting conditions. It's not that GI doctor...
Dec 15, 2023
Ten years ago, Irem Rami became one of the first Fellows to join StartUp Health. In her role she helped vet the very first companies to join our community. That was back when it seemed very audacious indeed to have a goal of supporting 1000 healthcare startups. A few years later and we’ve now welcomed 500 startups into the community and are still going strong. In that time Rami moved on, went to business school, and is now a principle health investor at Norwest, a $3B multi-stage fund. We called...
Dec 07, 2023
On this StartUp Health NOW episode, we’re talking about wasteful spending in healthcare. This is one of those topics that’s hard to put in perspective. The institute of medicine says that 30% of healthcare spending could be categorized as wasteful, putting the total tab north of $750 million. It could be a trillion dollars. Health insurance premiums are up 7% year over year, according to Health Affairs. Analysts point to inflation as a strong cause, but this nearly trillion dollars in unnecessar...
Nov 30, 2023
