Tag Archives: Health Moonshots

Can taking a selfie be good for your health?

Selfie Health? Hibiscus Health Uses Facial Scans to Detect Diabetes Risk



Can taking a selfie be good for your health?

This week on StartUp Health NOW, we explore a revolutionary new approach to health screening with Kavi Misri, CEO & Founder of Hibiscus Health. Misri is a long-time Health Transformer; after his first StartUp Health portfolio company – Rose Health – was acquired, he launched Hibiscus Health and rejoined the StartUp Health Community.

Discover how Hibiscus leverages smartphone selfies to analyze facial blood flow and identify potential risks for diabetes and other conditions:

  • Easy, intuitive screenings designed for broad adoption
  • Works with existing smartphone cameras and webcams
  • Unlocking the potential of selfies for health screening

Plus, learn about StartUp Health’s Cardiometabolic Health Moonshot Community and how it helps innovative companies accelerate growth.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of healthcare, preventive medicine, and leveraging technology for better health outcomes.

Listen now and see if your selfie can unlock your potential health risks!


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 StartUp Health’s 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.


Robert Garber, 7wireVentures

Robert Garber of 7wireVentures: I’m Afraid of Incrementalism



Struggling to secure funding for your healthcare startup? A top health tech investor from 7wire says: Let’s stop “nibbling at the edges” and collaborate on true Health Moonshots.

Join StartUp Health as we unlock the fundraising secrets from a top health tech investor, Robert Garber.

In this Masterclass held live for members of StartUp Health’s Health Moonshot Communities, Garber, a partner at 7wireVentures, shares his 30 years of investing, advising, and operating experience in a discussion on negotiating term sheets that not only close deals but also create long-term value for startup founders.

Hear him discuss:

  • Why “incrementalism” is a fundraising killer
  • The importance of intellectual honesty for founders
  • Striking gold with contract-market fit instead of just product-market fit
  • Red flags investors see in early-stage companies

Plus, get tactical insights from live audience Q&A with founders!

This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur in healthcare seeking funding to take their innovation to the next level.

Listen now and gain a competitive edge!


 

Are you ready to join a Health Moonshot Community and attend Masterclasses live? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. 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.


Are You Ready to Join a Health Moonshot Community?



Want to be part of the StartUp Health community? This special episode of StartUp Health NOW goes behind the scenes here at StartUp Health as we unveil new health moonshot community offerings!

Join host Logan Plaster as he talks with the co-founders of StartUp Health, Steven Krein and Unity Stoakes, on the evolution of StartUp Health’s global community.

Discover:

  • An exciting new offering for the StartUp Health community
  • Exclusive events and a new member app fostering deeper connections
  • The unifying idea that fuels community success
  • How YOU can qualify for a health moonshot community and apply

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of healthcare innovation and the power of community in driving change.

Listen now and learn how you can get involved!


 

Are you ready to join a Health Moonshot Community? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. 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.

 


An Insider’s Perspective on the Near Future of Alzheimer’s Care



“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 Foundation (ADDF). Organizations like ADDF are working to translate scientific research into real patient impact, particularly in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, by funding innovative ventures and supporting startups in the biotech space. Dr. Nisenbaum talks with us about new Alzheimer’s tests and therapeutics and pulls back the curtain on how ADDF supports startups.

Key Insights:

  • We are at a tipping point in Alzheimer’s. Our ability to predict and detect – and then treat – Alzheimer’s disease is growing faster than ever.

  • Dr. Laura Nisenbaum was involved in the launch of StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot, a collaboration with The Gates Foundation and ADDF, which is important for advancing research in the field of Alzheimer’s disease.

  • Academia fosters innovation, but translating scientific work into real patient impact poses challenges that need to be understood and bridged.

  • Venture philanthropy model enables funding for innovators who may not receive funding from for-profit companies, allowing for more risky endeavors.

  • The Diagnostics Accelerator challenges the research community to develop cutting-edge biomarkers and explore novel diagnostic technologies that will aid in Alzheimer’s diagnosis and clinical trial design.

  • The potential for AI to revolutionize Alzheimer’s research and diagnosis is evident in the funding and support for innovative companies in the field.

  • Focusing on the biology of aging, including inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, could be key in developing novel therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.

  • The field of Alzheimer’s research and care is at an amazing point with the first demonstration of some efficacy for drugs and a huge innovation curve from a biomarkers and diagnostics perspective.

  • We can now detect amyloid in the brain through blood tests, marking an amazing point of innovation in the field of Alzheimer’s research.

  • Pursue innovative ideas with great gusto and perseverance, and take advantage of the incredible network of mentors and collaborators to thrive in the biotech and startup space.

  • The momentum is building in the field of Alzheimer’s research, thanks to the support from organizations like ADDF.

 


 

Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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

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Inside the Impact Board: How Katya Hancock Supports Youth Wellbeing in the Digital Age



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. We’ll discuss Young Futures’ first million-dollar funding challenge, tackling loneliness, social connection, and wellbeing. Inspired by the Surgeon General’s call to action, they’re empowering youth-led efforts alongside established organizations.

  • Focus on Youth Wellbeing: Young Futures aims to improve youth wellbeing and mental health, especially in marginalized communities. The organization seeks to shift the narrative from focusing on challenges to providing practical solutions.
  • Innovative Support for Nonprofits: The organization hosts funding challenges to support innovative nonprofits working to improve youth well-being. The first challenge, called The Lonely Hearts Club, focused on addressing loneliness and social connection.
  • Building a Collaborative Ecosystem: Like StartUp Health, Young Futures brings together grantees in an ecosystem to collaborate and support each other. This approach helps create a stronger network of organizations working towards common goals.
  • Real-World Applications: Examples of supported organizations include Hip Hop Into Learning, which helps kids express themselves and find community through hip hop, and Sesame 3G, which connects seniors, teens, and preschoolers for mentoring and social-emotional learning.
  • Challenges and Opportunities: Hancock emphasizes the importance of addressing the digital tension young people face and providing them with the tools to navigate the digital world healthily. She also discusses the need for nonprofit leaders to adopt practices from the for-profit startup world, such as long-term goal setting and effective communication with funders.
  • Supporting StartUp Health: Hancock expresses her commitment to ensuring young people are part of the conversation in healthcare. She appreciates StartUp Health’s model and media presence, which can help raise awareness about youth mental health and integrate it into broader health discussions.
  • Personal Insights and Future Goals: Hancock shares her personal journey and how her work with StartUp Health and Young Futures has influenced her views on technology and parenting. She envisions Young Futures becoming more of an entertaining media company to engage and support young people effectively.

Join us for a dive into the future of youth and technology!



If you’re interested in the latest on how to help teens thrive in the digital age
, follow the Young Futures Newsletter and their LinkedIn page. 

Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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

FundersBecome a Health Moonshot Champion


Taking a Breath of Fresh Air: Innovation in Respiratory Health



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 Health’s technology tackles chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a debilitating lung condition.

This episode is for you if:

  • You’re interested in healthcare innovation.
  • You’re curious about the future of respiratory health.
  • You want to learn about the power of breath in health monitoring.

Get ready to be inspired by the future of lung health!


Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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

FundersBecome a Health Moonshot Champion


AI in Healthcare: Separating Hype from Reality on the Front Lines



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 with metabolic conditions to take control of their health.

This episode is for you if:

  • You’re curious about the practical applications of AI in healthcare.
  • You want to hear inspiring stories from healthcare entrepreneurs.
  • You’re eager to learn how AI can improve patient outcomes.

Get ready for a refreshing take on AI in healthcare!


Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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

FundersBecome a Health Moonshot Champion


Phyllis Ferrell Named Chief Impact Officer for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot



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 University, an entrepreneurial mastery program and lifelong learning community for ambitious founders and funders who are solving the biggest health challenges of our time.

That brings us to our podcast guest this week. Phyllis Ferrell, DrPH, will serve as the Chief Impact Officer of the Alzheimer’s Moonshot and lead its Impact Board. Ferrell has three decades of related experience, most recently serving as the Global Head of Alzheimer’s and Neurodegeneration at Eli Lilly and Strategic Advisor to the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative. The Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board will also include representatives from the ADDF, Gates Ventures, and a diverse group of stakeholders from industry, clinical medicine, academia, investment and patient and caregiver communities.

As we will discuss in the episode, shortly after Ferrell transferred from a marketing and sales role at Lilly to leading their Alzheimer’s division, her father was diagnosed with the devastating disease. She threw herself into the work and eventually became a leading voice in Alzheimer’s research and drug development. She’s served as a strategic advisor to multiple high-profile Alzheimer’s organizations, and now she’s marshaling her experience to lead StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot. We caught up with her to get a better understanding of where she sees this initiative going and why this is such a unique moment in time for Alzheimer’s innovation.

Enjoy the episode and then learn more about StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot at startuphealth.com/alzheimers.


Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our Alzheimer’s Moonshot.
Passionate about Type 1 diabetes? Learn how you can join our T1D Moonshot.

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

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Gamification in Healthcare: How Two Founders Are Using Games to Heal



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 two unique ways.

The first conversation is with Raj Amin, CEO & Co-founder of Arcade Therapeutics, a company that has been in the StartUp Health community since TK. They are a science-first game studio developing games that act like medicine, focusing on mental health. We’ll hear exactly what they’re building and why clinical research is key to their approach.

Then we’ll hear from Farhaneh Ahmadi, PhD, CEO & Co-founder of eddii, a company that is part of our T1D Moonshot. She and her team are using mobile gaming elements to help young people with their Type 1 diabetes management. Her company uses a character named eddii that talks to the user, tells them stories, and plays games with them – making it more relatable and more enjoyable to manage diabetes.

Listen in to learn more about these innovative approaches to improving health.

 


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

Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Contact us to learn how you can join our Alzheimer’s Moonshot.
Passionate about Type 1 diabetes? Contact us to learn how you can join our T1D Moonshot.
Looking to break down health barriers? Contact us to learn how you can join our Health Equity Moonshot
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Why the CEO of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Joined StartUp Health’s Health Moonshot Impact Board



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 down with Henderson to learn about his priorities in leading the ADA and why it was important to him to join StartUp Health’s moonshot community.


FundersBecome a Health Moonshot Champion
Want more content like this? You can subscribe to the podcast as well as other health innovation updates at startuphealth.com/content.
Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

Looking to break down health barriers? If you’re an entrepreneur or investor, contact us to learn how you can join our Health Equity Moonshot.
Passionate about Type 1 diabetes? If you’re an entrepreneur or investor, contact us to learn how you can join our T1D Moonshot.