StartUp Health NOW Podcast

One-third of maternal deaths are linked to malnutrition or lack of nutrition care. StartUp Health community member Emily Sylvester, MS, RD, is determined to change that.

As CEO & Founder of Mother of Fact, Emily is building a future where every pregnant person has access to continuous, reimbursable nutrition care – embedded into women’s health workflows and culturally tailored to each family’s needs.

In this conversation with StartUp Health Co-founder Unity Stoakes, Emily shares:
• Why maternal care must shift upstream
• How Mother of Fact delivers a 2–3x ROI for clinics
• New data showing major...

This week on the StartUp Health NOW podcast, we sit down with Sam Scott, PhD, CEO & Co-founder of Enhance-d, a Switzerland-based company transforming how people with diabetes approach exercise.

Sam shares how his experience working with professional athletes living with Type 1 diabetes inspired a digital coaching platform that integrates CGM and wearable data to personalize workouts and improve glucose control. He also talks about the company’s new clinical pilots with Dexcom, its growing global community of users, and the next generation of AI-powered coaching tools.

Listen in to learn how Enhance-d is helping people wi...

Discover how long-time StartUp Health community member Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical is revolutionizing healthcare through groundbreaking anti-inflammatory solutions that could bridge the critical gap between lifespan and healthspan. In this StartUp Health NOW episode, co-founders Jim and Jackie Iversen share their journey in developing innovative medications targeting inflammation – the hidden culprit behind numerous age-related diseases and conditions

The episode highlights their impressive progress, including:
– Phase two clinical trials at Duke University
– Positive outcomes in COVID patient studies
– 60+ patents in their portfolio
– Novel approach to alcohol-related inflammation
– Promising collaboration with the National Institute of Drug Abuse

For the first time in decades, a major innovation in reproductive health is on the horizon.

In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, StartUp Health community member Dr. Darlene Walley, CEO of NEXT Life Sciences, joins Unity Stoakes to discuss Plan A™, a long-acting, non-hormonal, fully reversible male contraceptive that could reshape how couples share family planning.

Dr. Walley explains how Plan A works as a medical device, the company’s global license for Vasalgel®, and the breakthrough results from 100% successful delivery device trials across two continents. With...

Discover how Suggestic is transforming healthcare by turning food into a powerful therapeutic tool. In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, Unity Stoakes sits down with new StartUp Health community members Shai Rosen and Carver Anderson to unpack their company’s innovative approach to personalized nutrition and wellness technology.

From their unique journeys – Carver’s roots in medical equipment and Shai’s transition from aspiring doctor to tech innovator – the duo shares how they’re bridging the gap between food and medicine through AI-powered solutions. Their pivot to a B2B model reveals a shrewd understanding of how to scale...

Bridging Home, Family, and Health Plans: Avanlee Christine on Caregiver-First Health Innovation

StartUp Health community member Avanlee Christine, CEO & Co-founder of Avanlee Care, joins Unity Stoakes on StartUp Health NOW to share how a pivot from fundraising to customer development unlocked product traction, investor interest, and partnerships with innovative health plans. From Billings, Montana, Avanlee explains why integrating unpaid family caregivers into care workflows improves outcomes, raises satisfaction, and helps Medicare Advantage plans do more with less.

In this episode:

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 to...

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 wi...

Unlocking Innovation: The Alzheimer’s Insights AI Prize and Its Impact on Healthcare

There are currently more than 55 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Recent breakthroughs in new treatments and diagnostics provide hope, but there is potential to accelerate the pace of discovery and development.

Last year, StartUp Health, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s (ADDF) Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) and Gates Ventures, the private office of Bill Gates, launched the Alzheimer’s Moonshot. This initiative breaks down silos and fosters meaningful collaboration between mission-aligned founders, funders, and partners...

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 create...

In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, Unity Stoakes, President & Co-founder of StartUp Health, speaks with Christopher Jue, CEO & Co-founder of CAREgivers Insight, a leading member of our Caregiving Health Moonshot Community. Christopher, a serial entrepreneur with a personal connection to caregiving, shares the story behind his company’s mission to transform how family caregivers manage care and track their loved ones' health. Key highlights of the conversation include: Personal Journey & Inspiration: Christopher discusses his experiences as a caregiver for his father, who suffered from Alzheimer's, and how these challenges led to the creation of CAREgivers Insight. He reflects on ho...

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...

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 backgrou...

In this episode, StartUp Health co-founder Unity Stoakes sits down with Jeff Boyes, founder of Thryvly Health Tech, to explore a crucial challenge in modern healthcare: how do we go beyond breakthrough treatments to truly support patients on their long-term health journeys?

Jeff dives deep into his mission to reimagine how people connect with their health, turning advanced technology into deeply personal experiences. From his early days as a teacher to building a groundbreaking platform, Jeff explains how Thryvly is setting a new standard for patient engagement and long-term wellbeing, especially within the rapidly evolving GLP-1 space.<...

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...

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 devastatin...

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 un...

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 j...

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 P...

We all know light therapy can brighten our mood, especially for those battling depression or seasonal affective disorder. But what if light could do so much more? In this week's episode of StartUp Health NOW, we dive deep into the revolutionary work of StartUp Health community member Mai Nguyen, PhD, CEO & Co-founder of Optoceutics. Forget what you think you know about light therapy. Nguyen and her team are pioneering a new frontier, demonstrating how precisely delivered light, through the eyes, can actually reprogram brain waves. This isn't just about mood enhancement; it's about potentially slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases...

Imagine this: 73 million Americans are over 65. Among them, 10-20% experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a potential precursor to Alzheimer’s. Yet their primary care doctors, with only 14 minutes per patient, lack the time for crucial neurological screenings. This is a critical gap in our healthcare system, especially as groundbreaking Alzheimer's research and therapies emerge, making early detection more vital than ever. That’s where Cx Precision Medicine comes in. In this episode, we sit down with Sid O’Bryant, PhD, and Danguole Altman, the team behind CxPM, a company in the StartUp Health Alzheimer's Moonshot Community working to revolutionize early cognit...

On this episode of StartUp Health NOW, we learn about the power of photobiomodulation, a light therapy that promotes healing at the cellular level. From treating seasonal affective disorder to wound healing, light therapy's applications are expanding. We're joined by Guillaume Blivet of REGEnLIFE, a member of the StartUp Health community who is pioneering research into using photobiomodulation to address Alzheimer's disease. Learn how their unique approach, targeting both the brain and gut, shows promise in reducing inflammation and improving cellular health. We discuss the science, the promising early results, and the potential of this groundbreaking approach. Unveiling Photobiomodulation: Dive...

When your health is on the line, accurate diagnostics are crucial. But many blood tests suffer from false positives, false negatives, and frustrating gray areas. In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, host Logan Plaster sits down with John Forrest, CEO & Co-founder of Veravas, a member of the StartUp Health community, to discuss their groundbreaking solution. VeraBIND: Learn how Veravas' patented technology cleans blood samples to remove impurities, dramatically increasing diagnostic accuracy and eliminating ambiguous results. Transforming Alzheimer's Detection: Find out how VeraBIND results in a test with a single result that says yes, you have the disease, or no...

Are health tech founders building what the market actually needs? At StartUp Health, we see firsthand their biggest challenge: achieving product-market fit. But it's more than just market alignment. Investor Robert Garber of 7wireVentures calls it "contract-market fit"—proof that people will pay. This week, we talk with Robin Roberts, CEO & Founder of DatosX, a company in the StartUp Health community that is helping digital health startups achieve just that. The Problem: Many early-stage health companies struggle with product-market fit. They may be building amazing technology, but the market isn't ready. The Solution: DatosX is a two-sided marketplace connecting health te...

Ever wonder where the next big breakthrough in health will come from? Sometimes, the most innovative solutions arise from the most unexpected places. This week’s podcast episode dives into the fascinating world of a neurosurgeon who's revolutionizing glucose monitoring. Join us as we explore the groundbreaking work of Dr. Casey Halpern, co-founder of SynchNeuro, who is changing cardiometabolic care via the brain. We discuss: The unexpected connection between the brain and metabolism: How a neurosurgeon specializing in Parkinson's disease came across a game-changing approach to glucose monitoring. A non-invasive CGM for everyone: Learn about SynchNeuro's innovative behind-the-ear EEG device th...

This idea called “food as medicine” isn’t new. People have been talking for decades about how the foods we put in our body play a bigger role in preventative health and disease management than any drug or medication we could. But it’s always been on the fringe. Partly because it’s difficult to do the studies that clinically prove that foods can be as effective as medications. And second, which is related, there hasn’t been much funding for this kind of work. So, what’s changed? To answer that question, we sat down with Victor Penev, CEO & Founder of Eda...

What if a single scan could not only diagnose existing health issues but also predict future problems and help prevent them? That’s the groundbreaking vision behind Imaginostics, a startup co-founded by Codi Gharagouzloo, PhD. A new member of the StartUp Health community, Imaginostics creates innovative, non-invasive diagnostic solutions using breakthrough quantitative imaging biomarkers to provide new insight in health and disease. In this episode, StartUp Health co-founder Unity Stoakes interviews Gharagouzloo during JPM Week in San Francisco to explore the science behind Imaginostics and the unique technology they’re developing to revolutionize preventative health. You’ll also hear Gharagouzloo’s fascin...

Can vitamins play a bigger role in preventative health? Vous Vitamin, founded by doctors Arielle Levitan, MD, and Romy Block, MD, thinks so. This physician-led company in the StartUp Health community offers personalized vitamin subscriptions based on science, not hype. Join StartUp Health NOW as we dive deep with CEO Brad Helfand to explore the fascinating intersection of vitamins and technology. They'll discuss how Vous Vitamin is changing the game, including: The evidence-based approach behind personalized supplementation Bringing vitamins into the realm of preventative medicine and primary care Securing a spot on CNET's top 5 vitamin subscriptions Potential insurance and Medicare...

Join Unity Stoakes and Logan Plaster for a special podcast episode dedicated to their experience at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this past week. Hear their insights on: The rise of health tech at the world's largest consumer electronics show Key trends observed in the AARP AgeTech Collaborative and Eureka Park The future of innovation in areas like wearable technology and assistive devices The role of events like CES in advancing health moonshots This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and healthcare. Tune in now to gain valuable insights from CES 2025! Are you ready to...

Empowering Caregivers: Avanlee Care Revolutionizes Senior Healthcare The aging population is rapidly growing. This demographic shift demands a new approach to healthcare, one that empowers family caregivers. Join us for our first podcast episode of 2025 as we chat with Avanlee Christine. A member of the StartUp Health community since 2022, Christine is the CEO & Founder of Avanlee Care, a platform that integrates caregivers into the healthcare of their aging loved ones. For almost every older person with a health concern there is an adult child who is worried and involved. In fact there are around 48 million unpaid family caregivers in the...

On this week's podcast episode, Steve Kraus and Sofia Guerra of Bessemer Venture Partners joined us to discuss the trends and predictions outlined in their second annual State of Health Tech report.  Key takeaways include: AI: Health tech dollars invested in AI-focused companies have increased 1.5x in just two years, reaching 38% in 2024 to date. Private market recovery: Mega rounds of $50M+ for later-stage companies with strong fundamentals, alongside a surge of seed and Series A companies scaling to $1M-$10M ARR within three years. 2025 predictions: Adoption of in-house services-as-software, AI enhancing doctors' capabilities, AI streamlining value-based care, and more companies blendin...

Diagnostikare, founded by brothers Rafael López and Rodrigo López, MD, is revolutionizing healthcare access in Mexico, reaching deep into remote areas. In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, hear how this innovative telemedicine company in the StartUp Health community: Started in Mexico City to bring high quality virtual care to people    Partnered with large insurers and major employers like McDonald's to provide quality telemedicine Provides care to those who may have had very hard time seeing a doctor under the standard system And now, Diagnostikare is: Expanding access to healthcare in underserved rural communities Collaborating with Bayer and the W...

Join host Logan Plaster as he sits down 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 StartUp Health's new Health Moonshot Community PRO 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...

Many patients have access to healthcare programs but don't participate, leading to poorer health outcomes and higher costs. This episode explores a novel solution: Reciprocity Health – a member of the StartUp Health community since 2023 – has developed their platform TheraPay to use financial incentives to encourage healthy behavior. Hear Matt Swanson, CEO & Co-founder, discuss how to design programs that benefit both patients and the healthcare system. Learn: How TheraPay improves patient engagement for better health outcomes The cost-saving potential of proactive care Strategies for closing the healthcare utilization gap This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in improving healthcare access, fina...

Hope and Progress in Type 1 Diabetes Management In honor of World Diabetes Day earlier this week, this podcast episode celebrates the strength of our T1D Moonshot Community and explores innovative solutions for better insulin delivery management. This episode features inspiring conversations with: Ole Kjerkegaard Nielsen, PhD, CEO & Co-founder of GO-Pen: Making insulin pens more affordable and accessible Bill Ervin, CEO & Founder of Bulsai: Revolutionizing injection techniques for optimized results Discover how these groundbreaking ventures are: Empowering patients with better tools and technology Addressing key frustrations in current diabetes management Plus, learn about StartUp Health's Health Moonshot Communities, like the...

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 scre...

Hear the latest groundbreaking news in Alzheimer's research. Sinaptica, a member of StartUp Health's Alzheimer's Moonshot Community, has announced significant results from its Phase 2 clinical trial testing the company's noninvasive, personalized, precise neuromodulation designed to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Ken Mariash, CEO of Sinaptica, joined us in the StartUp Health Studio to break it all down for us. As you’ll hear, the interview took place prior to the release of this data, which became public on October 31. In this exclusive interview, you'll learn: Details on Sinaptica's Phase 2 trial results show significant promise in slowing Alzheimer's progression The s...

Elevate your startup's narrative with Chrissy Farr, a renowned health tech journalist and investor. In this Masterclass, members of StartUp Health’s Health Moonshot Communities had a chance to interact directly with Farr, Managing Director at Manatt Health, and health tech investor, advisor, and author of Second Opinion. Farr has impressive communications savvy and a deep understanding of the health industry and emerging trends, with an emphasis on the intersection of health and venture capital. She provides a range of go-to-market, fundraising / investor relations, social media strategy, content development and communications counsel to both emerging and established companies as well as t...

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...

Meet Anne Wanlund, the Health Transformer taking on maternal mental health with her groundbreaking platform: Canopie. Canopie joined StartUp Health in 2021, shortly after launching. Now, a couple years in and Canopie appears to be resonating. They’ve just closed a $3.7M raise, a huge feat for a new startup led by first-time founders. Hear her story: From policy advocate to passionate entrepreneur Building a solution fueled by a powerful personal experience Canopie's innovative approach to accessible mental health support Strategies for securing funding in a challenging climate Unlocking honesty with digital resources Plus, discover: Canopie's comprehensive platform for preventing and tre...