Category Archives: Healthcare

EqualityMD’s Pre-Insurance Strategy to Reduce Care Avoidance and Lower Healthcare Costs

Access to Care, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, Startups, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:45 — 27.0MB)

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In this Health Moonshot Update, StartUp Health community member Justin Ayars of EqualityMD explains how the company is redefining employer healthcare through a pre-insurance model designed to resolve health needs before insurance is triggered.

EqualityMD delivers culturally competent virtual primary care, mental health support, urgent care, and prescription access without generating insurance claims. New research shows the platform can resolve up to 80 percent of employees’ diverse health needs pre-insurance, saving employers 20 to 30 percent in health claim and administrative costs and reducing employees’ out-of-pocket expenses by 40 to 70 percent.

Ayars shares why traditional telehealth often increases claims volume, how claim prevention changes the cost equation, and why rethinking healthcare upstream may be key to rebuilding trust and affordability in the system.

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, journal, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Membership. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and join today.

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Sana Health Clears a Major Milestone in the Fight Against Chronic Pain

Access to Care, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, Mental Health & Happiness Moonshot, Startups, , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:22 — 26.3MB)

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StartUp Health community member Richard Hanbury of Sana Health joined Unity Stoakes for a Health Moonshot Update just prior to achieving a major regulatory milestone: an FDA De Novo grant for neuropathic pain, establishing a new class of audio-visual neuromodulation.

Hanbury reflects on decades of neuromodulation research, shares why credibility in healthcare is built “one rung at a time,” and explains how Sana’s pivotal data demonstrated a significant reduction in pharmacologic dependence. The conversation also covers DoD-backed PTSD research, VA trials, international expansion in Israel, and why the future of pain and mental healthcare must move toward multimodal, scalable models of care.

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, journal, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Membership. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit.
» Learn more and join today.

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Sami Inkinen of Virta Health on AI-Native Healthcare and Reversing Metabolic Disease

Access to Care, Cardiometabolic Health Moonshot, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, Startups, , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:28 — 19.7MB)

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In this Apollo House 2026 fireside chat, StartUp Health community member Sami Inkinen, CEO & Founder of Virta Health, shares how a personal diagnosis of pre-diabetes led him to build one of the fastest-growing companies in metabolic health.

Virta Health is proving that Type 2 diabetes and obesity can be reversed with nutrition, supported by technology and AI. Inkinen discusses how Virta has built one of the largest longitudinal biomarker datasets in metabolic disease reversal and is deploying AI agents, supervised by clinicians, to support patients every day.

He offers blunt insight into the current standard of care, explains why he believes disease reversal must become the common-sense approach, and shares how Virta became AI-native across every function, from hiring to board strategy.

This episode covers:

• The future of AI in healthcare operations and patient care
• Why food as therapy creates a complex, software-driven challenge
• The tension between GLP-1 drugs and root-cause treatment
• Scaling a B2B2C healthcare company to sustainability
• Advice for founders building in the age of AI

As a live recording, the audio reflects the energy of the room rather than a studio setting.

Do you want to participate in live conversations with industry luminaries? When you join StartUp Health – a private community for founders, investors, buyers, and industry leaders to connect year-round – 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.

Vinod Khosla on AI Interns, Trust, and Health Moonshots in the Age of Superintelligence

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:56 — 25.6MB)

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Recorded live at Apollo House 2026, this fireside chat captures a candid, in-the-room conversation between StartUp Health’s Unity Stoakes and entrepreneur, investor, and technologist Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures on AI’s accelerating impact on healthcare.

Khosla explains why he believes AI is a platform shift larger than the internet or mobile, and how that shift could unlock access to high-quality care for billions. The conversation explores his “AI intern” model for healthcare, why copilots often underperform in complex clinical work, and why trust, supervision, and fit-for-purpose guardrails are essential. A live exchange with Esther Dyson adds perspective on empathy, communication, and the enduring human dimensions of care.

As a live recording, the audio reflects the energy of the room rather than a studio setting.

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.

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

The Caregiving Front Door: How CAREgivers Insight Is Rewiring Home-Clinic Connections

Business, Caregiving Moonshot, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:31 — 20.6MB)

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In this Health Moonshot Update, StartUp Health community member Christopher Jue of CAREgivers Insight joins Unity Stoakes to share how empowering caregivers can prevent crises and save the system money. Christopher draws on his own family experience and fresh pilot data to explain why caregivers should be treated as essential members of the care team.

In this episode, they talk about:

  • What four preventable hospitalizations taught him about the cost of underused caregiver insight

  • How Caregiver Views turns everyday observations into clear, shareable trend lines

  • Why pilots with Cancer Services of Midland achieved an 85% recommendation rate

  • The strategic shift from a B2C mindset to payer and Medicare Advantage partners

  • An AI roadmap that starts with summaries and moves toward real coaching for untrained caregivers

  • How the Caregiving Health Moonshot is becoming a doorway into every Health Moonshot at StartUp Health

This is a must listen for anyone building in value-based care, supporting an aging population, or caring for a loved one at home.

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.

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

2026 Apollo House panel podcast

Live from Apollo House: Building the Modern Health Stack in the Age of Superintelligence

Access to Care, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:39 — 20.7MB)

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What does it really take to achieve Health Moonshots in the Age of Superintelligence?

Recorded live at StartUp Health’s Apollo House during JPM Healthcare Week, this panel brings together leaders operating at the intersection of healthcare delivery, diagnostics, cloud infrastructure, and AI. Moderated by Angela Shippy, MD, of Amazon Web Services, the conversation explores how AI is moving from point solutions to foundational infrastructure across the modern health stack.

Together, the panel examines why clean, connected data is essential, how agentic workflows can reduce burnout and improve clinician and patient experience, and what it will take to move healthcare from transactional to truly person-centered care. The discussion also tackles trust, governance, and why collaboration across startups, health systems, and big tech is critical to delivering real-world impact.

This is a grounded, forward-looking conversation about how purpose-driven leadership can turn exponential technology into practical outcomes that matter.

Featured Guests

  • Angela Shippy, MD
    Senior Physician Executive and Clinical Innovation Lead, Global Healthcare and Nonprofit, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

  • Brian Caveney, MD, MPH
    Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Labcorp

  • Rasu Shrestha, MD
    EVP, Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer, Advocate Health

  • Chelsea Sumner, PharmD
    Translational Health and AI Strategy Leader, NVIDIA

  • Mark Andrews
    Senior Principal, AGI, Product Leader, Amazon

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.

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

Indira Paharia, PsyD of VIBEcare

Making Behavioral Health Work in Primary Care: A Conversation with Indira Paharia, PsyD, of VIBEcare

Access to Care, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, Mental Health & Happiness Moonshot, , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:49 — 29.1MB)

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Behavioral health conditions are rising, providers are burned out, and primary care is carrying the load. In this episode, Unity Stoakes sit down with StartUp Health community member Indira Paharia, PsyD, CEO & Co-founder of VIBEcare, to explore how virtual, integrated behavioral health can transform care delivery at scale.

Drawing on her experience as a clinical psychologist, payer executive, and health tech founder, Indira explains why primary care is the most powerful entry point for behavioral health and how VIBEcare is building practical solutions that actually fit into real-world workflows.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Why behavioral health so often shows up first in primary care

  • The collaborative care model and why reimbursement changed everything

  • How virtual care removes barriers like stigma, transportation, and childcare

  • Addressing the national behavioral health provider shortage with scalable staffing models

  • What it takes to build solutions designed by clinicians, for clinicians

  • Why Indira is optimistic about the future of behavioral health access

This conversation is a must-listen for founders, providers, payers, and health system leaders working to make behavioral health more accessible, effective, and human.

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.

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

From Evidence to Adoption: How datosX Is Redefining Digital Health Validation

Access to Care, Business, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, Startups, , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:30 — 33.4MB)

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Digital health is moving at AI speed, but evidence generation is still stuck in the past.

In this episode, StartUp Health co-founder Unity Stoakes sits down with StartUp Health community member Robin Roberts, CEO & Founder of datosX Digital Health Labs, to explore how validation can become a catalyst for real-world adoption rather than a bottleneck. Drawing on his experience building the Novartis Biome and spinning datosX out of it, Robin explains why traditional CRO models no longer meet the needs of modern digital health and AI-powered solutions.

Together, they discuss how datosX is helping innovators generate regulatory-grade, buyer-credible evidence while unlocking pilots and commercial traction with leading health systems.

In this conversation, you will learn:

  • Why digital health companies cannot afford to wait 18 months for validation

  • How datosX pairs innovators with tier-1 health systems to run validation studies that double as pilots

  • What makes the datosX model 30–60% faster and up to 8–10× more cost-effective than legacy CROs

  • How real-world data and retrospective studies accelerate proof and decision-making

  • Why evidence, adoption, and trust must be built together

  • How the upcoming EVIDIA platform is turning global digital health trial knowledge into AI-powered intelligence

This episode is a must-listen for founders, health system leaders, investors, and partners working to bring validated, trustworthy health innovation to market faster.

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.

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

Inside MUTU System: Clinical Validation, Real Outcomes, and a Global Mission to Transform Core & Pelvic Health for Women

Access to Care, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, Startups, Women's Health, , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:56 — 24.7MB)

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Pelvic health conditions affect millions of women, yet most are told to simply cope.

In this conversation, StartUp Health community member Wendy Powell shares how she built MUTU System into a clinically validated digital platform that improves pelvic floor function, core strength, and overall quality of life. She explains what clinical validation really required, how MUTU maintains accessibility and equity, and why employers are embracing pelvic health as a productivity issue. You will also hear what is next as MUTU expands through health systems, enterprise partnerships, and new personalized pathways.

A must listen for anyone working in women’s health, digital therapeutics, or workplace wellbeing.

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.

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

Esther Dyson

Term Limits for an Infinite Age: Esther Dyson & Unity Stoakes on Abundance, Power, and Staying Human in an Age of AI

Business, Health, Healthcare, Innovation, , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:35 — 35.9MB)

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In this special year-end episode, StartUp Health Co-founder Unity Stoakes has an intimate chat with Esther Dyson –  investor, thinker, and StartUp Health Impact Board member – about her upcoming book on term limits, the dangers of abundance, and how to protect our humanity in a world of superintelligent tools.

Esther draws on decades in tech, health, and philanthropy to ask uncomfortable questions about power, valuation, and why “too much” rarely serves us. Along the way, she shares stories from Wellville, her unconventional life adventures, and the teachers and caregivers who shaped her more than any Nobel Prize winner.

In this wide ranging conversation, they dig into:

  • Why human finitude and term limits can be a source of comfort, not fear

  • How ultra-processed food, content, and money distort our “fitness functions”

  • What the current AI bubble reveals about power, inequality, and attention

  • Why AI should augment doctors, and why nurses and caregivers are irreplaceable

  • How to think about education, theory of mind, and “theory of business mind”

  • Esther’s practical career advice: always make new mistakes, and never do work you would not do for free

This is a must listen for founders, investors, and curious humans who want to navigate the age of superintelligence with more wisdom, more agency, and a clearer sense of “enough.”

Join us at Apollo House at JPM Healthcare Week in January to continue the conversation.

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.

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