Category Archives: Business

How Purpose-Driven Investing Is Transforming Health | Vishal Vasishth, Obvious Ventures

Investing with Purpose: A Conversation with Vishal Vasishth of Obvious Ventures

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In this special episode of StartUp Health NOW, recorded in front of a live virtual audience of StartUp Health community members, Unity Stoakes sits down with Vishal Vasishth, Co-founder & Managing Director of Obvious Ventures. Listeners get to hear not only Vishal’s insights on purpose-driven investing but also questions from community members who joined the conversation in real time.

Vishal shares how Obvious Ventures backs founders building companies that align human, planetary, and economic health. From pioneering startups reversing Type 2 diabetes to biotech companies harnessing AI to decode biology, he explains why the most valuable businesses of tomorrow will be those solving humanity’s biggest challenges.

This conversation goes beyond capital, digging into the role of optimism, authenticity, and creativity in fueling sustainable innovation. If you want to understand how values-based investing is reshaping healthcare and the economy, this is a must-listen.

Tune in to learn:

  • How Obvious Ventures integrates purpose into early-stage investing
  • Why healthcare innovation is central to systemic change
  • How AI and generative science are accelerating new solutions
  • The future of outcomes-based models and sustainable growth

Whether you’re an investor, founder, or changemaker working to improve health, you’ll come away with fresh insights on building with purpose. And if you join the StartUp Health community, you can attend Fireside Chats like this one in real time and ask your own questions directly.

 

Do you want to participate in live conversations with industry luminaries? When you join the StartUp Health Network – a new private community for investors, buyers, and industry leaders to connect year-round with top health entrepreneurs – you are invited to a full calendar of interactive Fireside Chats with the most influential leaders shaping health innovation. Come with questions, learn what is working right now, and connect with industry icons.
» Learn more and join today.

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Introducing the StartUp Health Network: A New Era of Collaboration

Why We Opened the StartUp Health Network to the Ecosystem

Business, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, Startups, , , , ,

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An insider interview with StartUp Health co-founder Unity Stoakes on our new membership that invites the world’s leading investors, buyers, industry experts, and policymakers to our exclusive member community dedicated to health innovation and achieving health moonshots.

We flipped the script. In this special episode of StartUp Health NOW, our regular host Unity Stoakes sits in the guest chair while Logan Plaster leads the interview. Unity shares why StartUp Health is opening the StartUp Health Network to a broader community of investors, buyers, and industry leaders, and how a curated, 24/7 platform helps builders connect with the people who can help them scale.

The conversation gets personal and practical. Unity explains his “5 to 80 rule” for communicating ideas that resonate across ages, plus a story about bringing kids into professional spaces to remind us who we serve. You will hear how our online community ties together Health Moonshot groups like brain health, women’s health, diabetes, access to care, and longevity, and why a vetted, niche network can cut through the noise of generic platforms.

Unity also breaks down how the membership model removes friction for both founders and the wider ecosystem. For industry and ecosystem members, the StartUp Health Network is a vetted, paid membership that acts as a smart filter, with simple, inexpensive monthly or annual dues. Members get 24/7 access to the online community, curated intros to founders across Health Moonshots, private roundtables and fireside chats with industry leaders, real-time trend discussions, and VIP access to meetups at major gatherings like JP Morgan, HLTH, and ViVE. Investors can compare notes and share deal flow in a trusted forum. Buyers and operators can scout solutions faster, pressure test needs with peers, and shorten the path from first meeting to pilot. Founders continue to have dedicated membership plans with peer circles, weekly office hours, and a robust perks platform that can deliver meaningful savings on tools and services. Unity explains why the membership model removes friction by eliminating equity and complex legal lift, making it simple to participate whether you are pre-seed or scaling globally.

What is the StartUp Health Network?
A private global community for visionary decision makers, thought leaders, funders, and innovators transforming the future of health. If you are a healthcare executive, operator, investor, or industry stakeholder who wants to stay connected to the people and ideas driving what is next, this is your place to collaborate with:

  • Healthcare executives and operators – leaders inside health systems, payers, and pharma who are shaping the future of care delivery

  • Investors – venture firms, strategics, angels, and family offices backing transformative ideas

  • Mission-driven stakeholders – clinicians, researchers, policy makers, educators, nonprofit leaders, technologists, and ecosystem builders across the health landscape

  • Founders and entrepreneurs – the backbone of our community, building breakthroughs in digital health, biotech, medtech, and life sciences, with dedicated membership plans designed for entrepreneurs

Stay to the end for a VIP thank you that unlocks a special rate on Network membership. You can use the code LOGAN at checkout for a VIP rate on an annual StartUp Health Network membership.

 

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Ribon, Rafael Rodeiro

The Future of Health Fundraising: How Ribon Is Revolutionizing Philanthropy

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Transforming Healthcare Fundraising: A Revolutionary Approach

In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, discover how Rafael Rodeiro, CEO & Founder of Ribon Health, is revolutionizing nonprofit healthcare fundraising through an innovative platform that’s changing the game. From a modest start in Brasilia to developing a groundbreaking “reverse matching gifts” system, Rafael’s journey showcases the power of reimagining traditional giving methods.

The episode explores how Ribon’s unique approach provides free donation tickets to individuals, removing financial barriers and fostering a natural sense of generosity. This innovative system not only transforms how people give but also creates lasting engagement within healthcare communities.

Rafael also shares his personal growth story and his experience as a member of the StartUp Health community, including how he improved his pitch from a 6.5 NPS score to an impressive 9.5 through persistence and continuous refinement. His StartUp Health membership evolved from initial skepticism to valuable partnerships, demonstrating the importance of community support in healthcare innovation.

Key Highlights Include:

  • The concept of “reverse matching gifts” allows donors to engage with health projects without the pressure of traditional fundraising, making giving more joyful and accessible.  
  • Building long-term relationships with donors can create a positive cycle of giving, enhancing community engagement and fostering a culture of altruism.  
  • Community feedback and training can lead to significant improvements, as demonstrated by Rafael’s pitch journey and collaborations.

Ready to be inspired by a fresh perspective on healthcare fundraising and entrepreneurial resilience? Tune in to hear how one founder’s vision is reshaping the future of giving in healthcare.

 

Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot PRO Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and apply today.

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Collaborative Innovations: Navigating Digital Health Fundraising with Lee Shapiro of 7wire Ventures

Business, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, Startups, , , , , , , ,

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Healthcare Investment Landscape: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

On this episode of StartUp Health NOW, dive into a compelling conversation with Lee Shapiro, managing partner of 7wire Ventures, as he unravels the complexities of digital health investment in today’s challenging market. Discover how successful healthcare startups are adapting to a landscape marked by IPO stagnation and reduced funding streams.

In this interactive Fireside Chat with members of the StartUp Health community, Shapiro generously shares his wisdom and answers real-world questions from participants. 

Key highlights include:

  • The critical importance of demonstrating ROI in healthcare offerings
  • Strategies for founders to secure funding in a tight market
  • The vital role of scientific evidence in business strategies
  • The importance of long-term thinking in achieving health moonshots

The discussion offers valuable insights into how entrepreneurs can thrive despite economic uncertainties and regulatory challenges. From leveraging strategic investors to building sustainable business models, learn how innovative companies are reshaping healthcare delivery.

Want to understand how to navigate the evolving healthcare investment landscape and build successful partnerships in digital health? Listen to this interactive episode for actionable insights from industry veterans.

Do you want to participate in live conversations with industry luminaries? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Fireside Chats, Expert Office Hours, and Peer Circles are benefits of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To get involved, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and apply today.

Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

From Diabetes to Data: The Life-Changing Power of Food as Medicine

Feeding Health Equity: How EntreVita Is Using AI to Bring Personalized Nutrition to the People Who Need It Most

Business, Food as Medicine Moonshot, Health, Innovation, Startups, , , , , , , , , , ,

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From Personal Tragedy to Transformation: Cory Mitchell’s Food as Medicine Mission with EntreVita

In this powerful episode of StartUp Health NOW, Unity Stoakes sits down with Cory Mitchell, D.Bioethics, CEO & Founder of EntreVita and a founding member of StartUp Health’s Food as Medicine Health Moonshot Community. Cory shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey — from growing up in poverty, losing family to diet-related illnesses, and serving in the Navy, to becoming a public health researcher and now a visionary entrepreneur tackling cardiometabolic diseases and food insecurity with tech-driven precision.

Hear how Cory’s lived experience and research background led to the creation of EntreVita, a platform combining AI with real-time meal recommendations to help patients manage chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes.

Learn how Cory is thinking beyond software — envisioning a future with robotic kiosks delivering personalized, healthy meals directly in food deserts, gas stations, and eventually even outer space.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cory’s transformative personal and professional journey

  • Why EntreVita blends AI + real-time nutrition guidance

  • The systemic barriers to healthy food access — and how to solve them

  • The role of mission-driven community and the power of the Food as Medicine movement

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and reimagining health equity through food. Don’t miss it.

Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and apply today.

Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

Encore: Unity Stoakes on How to Use Storytelling to Scale Your Business

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We’re taking a short break while we work on our new season, but in the meantime, we’ve got a special encore episode from our archives with Unity Stoakes, President & Co-founder of StartUp Health, to discuss the power of branding and storytelling.

In this insightful conversation, you’ll learn:

  • The importance of a strong brand identity for startups
  • Lessons learned from building StartUp Health’s brand that has become synonymous with health innovation
  • How to leverage media and storytelling to amplify your message
  • The benefits of our Health Moonshot Community Membership program

This episode is a must-listen for any founder looking to build a successful and impactful healthcare company.

Tune in now and gain valuable insights from a seasoned entrepreneur and storyteller.

Stay tuned, and we’ll be back soon with more fresh content!

 

Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and apply today.

Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

ENCORE: From Caregiver to Changemaker, Becoming a Voice for Alzheimer's

Encore: From Caregiver to Changemaker – A Look Inside the Impact Board with Meryl Comer on Fighting Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's Moonshot, Business, Health, Innovation, Startups, , , , , , , , ,

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We’re taking a short break while we work on our new season, but in the meantime, we’ve got a special encore episode from our archives where we chat with a powerful force in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease: Meryl Comer, a member of our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board.

Driven by personal experience watching her husband battle the disease, Comer transformed from award-winning journalist to passionate advocate. She is the Co-founder & Board Member of UsAgainstAlzheimers; the U.S. Representative for the Global Brain Trust; and Vice-Chair of WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters).

Hear her story:

  • Witnessing the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s firsthand
  • Taking action through co-founding UsAgainstAlzheimers
  • The critical role of advocacy and policy change
  • The emotional and physical burden of caregiving

Comer also shares her insights on:

  • Destigmatizing Alzheimer’s diagnosis
  • Anchoring innovation in the realities of care
  • Treating the source of the disease

This episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by Alzheimer’s, passionate about healthcare innovation, or inspired by the power of advocacy.

Stay tuned, and we’ll be back soon with more fresh content!

 

Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and apply today.

Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

Food as Medicine: Scaling the Future of Nutrition-First Health

Food as Medicine: Expanding Access and Impact with Epicured’s Rich Bennett

Business, Food as Medicine Moonshot, Health, Innovation, Startups, , , , , , , , , ,

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The phrase “Food as Medicine” has moved beyond buzzwords to become a powerful force in health tech and digital health. From dedicated pavilions at major conferences like HLTH to a growing understanding of its profound impact to StartUp Health’s newly-launched Food as Medicine Health Moonshot Community, the concept is clear: what we eat plays a crucial role in preventing and managing chronic diseases – often more so than medication alone. Nutrition is not just about sustenance or weight management; it’s a vital tool in fighting disease and fostering overall wellbeing.

Beyond its direct health benefits, treating food as medicine offers a unique advantage: it connects us. Sharing meals builds community and belonging, essential elements for human health and thriving that a pill simply cannot replicate.

In this episode, we speak with Rich Bennett, CEO & Co-founder of Epicured, a true standard-bearer in the Food as Medicine movement. Epicured delivers medically-tailored meals directly to individuals’ homes, offering personalized nutrition plans designed by a team of expert nutritionists and Michelin-starred chefs, catering to a range of health conditions.

We delve into Epicured’s exciting recent developments, including their groundbreaking partnership with Medicaid in New York State. This significant move expands access to their life-changing service to a wider population, particularly those who may not have had the means to benefit previously.

Bennett also shares his insights on joining as a founding member of StartUp Health’s Food as Medicine Health Moonshot Community, highlighting the collaborative efforts driving innovation and growth in this vital field.

Epicured is one of the exciting growth stories in digital health today, and they are at a fascinating inflection point. Join us as Bennett discusses their recent successful fundraise and their ambitious plans to scale up production at their “healing food” facilities. This is a pivotal moment for Epicured and the entire Food as Medicine movement. Tune in to hear how they are revolutionizing healthcare, one delicious and nutritious meal at a time.

Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and apply today.

Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

NeuroEM: Taking on Alzheimer’s With Radio Waves

Radio Waves, Real Results: Inside NeuroEM’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot

Alzheimer's Moonshot, Business, Health, Innovation, Startups, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, we dive into one of the most fascinating innovation stories in health tech. Our guest is Chuck Papageorgiou, CEO of NeuroEM Therapeutics, a company that’s part of StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community and is making waves with a radically different approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease — using radio waves.

What started as a research study to prove that cell phones cause brain cancer led to an unexpected breakthrough: the very same radio frequencies used in phones appeared to improve brain health in mice with Alzheimer’s. The discovery sparked a scientific journey that has since included promising human trials, FDA Breakthrough Device designation, partnerships, and progress towards bringing this non-invasive, affordable, at-home therapy to millions.

Papageorgiou shares how NeuroEM’s wearable headset is helping untangle the brain’s toxic proteins, the science behind this counterintuitive tech, and why the impact could rival — or even surpass — that of current Alzheimer’s drugs.

If you’re looking for an inspiring story about accidental genius ideas, bold leadership, and breakthrough innovation in brain health, this one’s a must-listen.

Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and apply today.

Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

AI in Healthcare: Hallucinations, Hybrid Models, and Accuracy

The Opportunities & Challenges of AI in Healthcare with Cristian Pascual of Mediktor

Business, Health, Innovation, Startups, , , , , , , , , ,

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AI has been quietly transforming healthcare for years, but the arrival of ChatGPT changed the game. Suddenly, everyone—from patients to investors—could see the real-world impact of AI in making healthcare more efficient and accessible.

One company leading this transformation is Mediktor, a pioneer in AI-powered symptom assessment. Before AI had its cultural moment, Mediktor—a member of the StartUp Health community since 2016—was already using it to help stratify patients and guide them to the right level of care. Now, they’re growing rapidly and shaping the future of AI in healthcare.

In this episode, we chat with Cristian Pascual, CEO & Co-founder of Mediktor, to discuss:

  • The evolution of AI in healthcare and why it’s accelerating now
  • How Mediktor’s AI-driven symptom assessment is improving patient care
  • The challenges of AI in healthcare, including LLMs, “black-box” models, and hallucinations
  • Why a hybrid AI approach—combining automation with human safeguards—is the future

As AI continues to shape healthcare, companies must balance innovation with accuracy. Pascual shares insights on how to harness AI’s power while ensuring reliability and trust.

Tune in to explore the next wave of AI in healthcare—and what it means for patients, providers, and the industry at large.

Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and apply today.

Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.