HealthTech Invest

Real growth investing creates durable outcomes when disciplined capital allocation is matched with operator-level rigor and clear value creation. In this episode, Joe Kaiser, CEO and Managing Director at Mercato Partners, shares how his experience at Blackstone and in operating roles, including scaling Vivint Solar from zero to $200M in revenue through an IPO and a $5B exit, shaped his “show me” m...

Strong decision-making systems are built when data quality, human behavior, and trust are treated as inseparable. In this episode, Ken Fine, CEO of Affinity, shares how his career path from naval engineering and physics to enterprise SaaS leadership shaped his thinking about data, systems, and decision-making. He reflects on designing high-stakes systems in the Navy, applying behavioral economics...

What if treating tremor meant personalizing therapy to your exact physiology, every single day? In this episode, Deanna Harshbarger, CEO of Cala Health, discusses how precision neuromodulation is transforming care by measuring each patient’s unique tremor and tailoring therapy in real-time. She explains why millions of essential tremor and Parkinson’s patients are left undertreated under today’s p...

What if the future of health starts not in a pharmacy, but in the food we eat? In this episode, Dr. Ilias Tagkopoulos, chairman and founder of PIPA, professor at UC Davis, and director at the USDA AI Institute, talks about how academia shaped his pursuit of long-term, high-impact innovation and how that led him to build AI platforms reshaping food, nutrition, and health. He shares a personal story...

The most valuable breakthroughs in drug development come from finding the right direction before picking up speed. In this episode, Viwat Visuthikraisee, Co-Founder and COO of Auransa, discusses his journey from studying theoretical physics in Japan to building an AI-driven biotech company in the Bay Area. His early fascination with computers led to a career in software and, ultimately, to applyin...

Scientific integrity, mission-driven purpose, and great teams are the true drivers of innovation. In this episode, Dr. Chris Murphy, CEO and founder of Ocular Services on Demand, a distinguished veterinary ophthalmologist and serial healthcare entrepreneur, shares his journey from veterinary ophthalmology into entrepreneurship and medical innovation. He describes how his early curiosity about rapt...

The future of innovation depends not just on breakthroughs in research but on the ecosystem that translates them into impact. In this episode, Michael Lemcke, Associate Director of the Venture Catalyst program at UC Davis, shares how the university helps turn research into viable startups. He explains how initiatives like proof-of-concept funding, incubators, and investor networks support innovati...

The future of personalized medicine hinges on developing high-resolution, home-based biosensors that provide the continuous, high-fidelity data needed to power foundational AI models. In this episode, Rich Yang, CEO of Biolinq, shares his 27-year journey in diabetes and biosensing, beginning with the first FDA-approved CGM and leading to his current role. He describes the ambitious goal of buildin...

The best venture capitalists combine strong business strategy with smart financial discipline, an increasingly vital mix in today’s AI-driven world. In this episode, Brian Flucht, Head of the US Region for Global Brain, reflects on his 20-year venture capital journey, comparing his strategic corporate VC experience at Nike with his current financially-driven global role. He shares how his investme...

Combining a lifelong passion for science and business with personal experiences can fuel groundbreaking innovations in cancer therapy.  In this episode, Brad Niles, CEO of ARIZ Precision Medicine, shares his entrepreneurial journey, from quirky early ventures like breeding mice and wedding pigeons to co-founding a biotech company. Motivated by a personal connection to cancer, he discusses ARIZ’s d...

Nitric oxide is crucial for oxygen delivery and blood vessel relaxation, impacting overall health. In this episode, Dr. Nathan Bryan discusses the role and therapeutic potential of nitric oxide and the challenges in its therapy development, explaining how chronic diseases can stem from missing molecules or toxins and how to naturally restore nitric oxide production. Dr. Bryan also shares insights...

The future of healthcare lies in emerging opportunities in point-of-care diagnostics and retail healthcare settings. In this episode, Glenn Snyder delves into the distinctions between operational and strategy consulting, emphasizing the crucial role of strategy in directing business operations. He highlights the significance of alignment in the MedTech industry, particularly in adapting to the evo...

Market validation is crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly in solving unmet clinical needs. In this episode, Dr. Ankit Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of Imbed Biosciences, shares his journey from engineering to business, highlighting the role of the Kauffman Fellowship program in his entrepreneurial success. He discusses the importance of timing, market validation, and solving unmet clinic...

Trust is the cornerstone of successful business relationships. In this episode, Paul Leschiner discusses the 340B program and healthcare technology, emphasizing its critical role in reducing medication costs for low-income patients. He explores challenges within the 340B space, such as legal battles and sustainability concerns, while stressing the significance of patient-focused pricing and trust...

Imagine a future where virtual reality is as ubiquitous as smartphones while maintaining a distinct boundary between the virtual and the physical realms. In this episode, Philipp Wehn dives into the convergence of virtual reality and AI and their impacts on our daily lives. He discusses the nuanced relationship between our physical world and the burgeoning virtual landscapes we're creating. So, pl...

Infusions, patches, and mists -  the future of medicine is not just in the pills we swallow.  In this part two episode with Jason Novak, he dives deeper into the intricate world of pharmaceuticals and the balance of life and ethics in health tech. Tom and Jason delve into nebulizing medicine and its significance in drug administration. They discuss the future of pharmaceuticals, where continuous d...

The three primary areas of practice in intellectual property law – litigation, preparation and prosecution, and transactions – profoundly influence a company's strategy in managing its intellectual property. In this episode, Jason Novak, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, unravels the complexities of IP law and breaks down the three key areas of IP practice: litigation, prosecution, and transaction...

DispatchHealth delivers high-acuity care at patients' homes, preventing ER visits and hospitalizations, improving outcomes, and lowering healthcare costs. In this episode, Mark Prather explores the challenges and innovations in healthcare, the impact of technology, and the transformative potential of providing high-acuity care in patients' homes. He recognizes the need for alternative care models...

Imagine a transformative force in clinical settings, demonstrating proven efficacy by accelerating healing and combating infections. In this episode, Ulrike Sailer, the CEO and managing partner of neoplas med, is back to explore the spectacular promise and proven efficacy of their company’s technology, delving into how it's transforming the treatment of chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers and...

It’s time to uncover cold plasma technology's medical applications and neoplas med's strategic efforts to integrate it into clinical workflows. In this episode, Ulrike Sailer, the CEO and managing partner of neoplas med, dives into the remarkable realm of cold plasma technology and its groundbreaking applications in wound care.  She explores the challenges of building a medical device company in t...

Embracing innovation, transparency, and adaptability is key in order to thrive in the dynamic world of healthcare transformation. In this episode, Anisha Sood talks about the transformation of First Choice Health over 35 years from a network to a third-party administrator in the healthcare sector. She navigates TPAs' role in custom healthcare for self-insured employers, delving into COVID-19's imp...

In the healthcare industry there are 10, 20, and $30 million niches that can be great investment opportunities. In this episode, Jenny Hopkins delves into the intricacies of successful company spin-offs, citing Agilent Technologies' $3 billion public spin-off from HP as a significant example. She underscores the critical importance of a well-defined strategy and execution for successful spin-outs,...

Let’s explore the breakthroughs, challenges, and untapped opportunities within the realm of health tech. In this episode, Bill Reichert talks about the challenges impeding rapid adoption in the healthcare industry like regulatory processes and the time required for scientific advancements to manifest. He stresses realistic expectations and shares insights from his diverse background in healthcare,...

Merging engineering prowess with healthcare innovation will bring transformative opportunities for the industry. In this episode, Dirk Schapeler, SVP & President of Niterra Ventures and the Business Creation company at NGK Sparkplugs, talks about NGK's strategic move into the healthcare sector with Niterra Ventures and the convergence of healthcare, medical devices, and technology. He highligh...

The healthcare landscape has changing dynamics that need to be reexamined through the lens of technology in the post-pandemic world. In this episode, Sam Reynolds provides a comprehensive exploration of the challenges, opportunities, and strategic considerations within the evolving healthcare ecosystem. He discusses pivotal healthcare trends, private equity, the potential of AI, transitioning care...