Newsroom

Jessica Zeaske, partner at Echo Health Ventures, speaks with MedCity News about the growing presence of providers and payers in the investment world.

In an uncertain political environment, medical venture capitalists are interested in technologies that could weather policy shifts, with the assumption that certain trends are here to stay- like efforts to lower costs, put patients in charge of their care, and fight rising drug prices.

There’s no argument that our health care system demands fixing. However, Digital Health entrepreneurs have learned some expensive lessons in recent years. Given the benefit of these lessons- outlined in this article, with some suggested adjustments for the future- we now need to rededicate ourselves to the fundamentals of building great, lasting companies in our unique industry.

Cambia Health Solutions has launched a pilot program with GNS Healthcare, leveraging the data-analysis capabilities that GNS offers to help in forecasting emerging illnesses and deploying resources. The goal is to better manage chronic diseases and improve the overall health of their members.

As reported in the Wall Street Journal Pro, while "Consumers view high drug prices with outrage, venture capitalists see them as an opportunity". Startups are working to make costs more manageable, bring more transparency to drug pricing, and provide patient tools to ensure that medications are used effectively. This innovative thinking garners attention from investors. “The innovation economy [has] to play a big role in addressing the challenge,” according to Rob Coppedge, CEO of Echo Health Ventures.

This month Echo Health Ventures CEO Rob Coppedge presented to the Harvard Business School Healthcare Alumni Association about the latest happenings in the health care venture funding market, and what strategic investors can offer companies looking to make health care better for people. Rob shared his view on digital health (that it’s dead), on health care (it’s very complicated for entrepreneurs), and offered his perspective on the opportunities that lie ahead for entrepreneurs and strategic investors. He also offered insight into the challenges entrepreneurs face when working with large health plans, and shared the state of health care venture moving into 2018 (hint: AI, behavioral health and HSA play big).

Echo Health Ventures CEO Rob Coppedge shares tips for entrepreneurs partnering with health plans. A long-term vision and stage-agnostic model are good indicators for future success!

The Wall Street Journal reports that health systems and insurers are pursuing startups in an effort to find innovative technologies that will improve medical care and further the evolution of the health care industry. Rob Coppedge of Echo Health Ventures speaks to the strategic approach necessary for successful investment.