StartUp Health NOW Podcast

Laura Nisenbaum, Executive Director of Drug Development at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, shares insights on the evolving landscape of Alzheimer’s care. She discusses the growing ability to predict and treat Alzheimer's, driven by innovative tests and therapeutics. Nisenbaum highlights the challenges of translating academic research into real-world solutions and the importance of funding models like venture philanthropy. Additionally, she touches on the launch of StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot and the critical role of startups in advancing research.

Join StartUp Health NOW for a powerful episode recorded live at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC)! We explore the exciting inflection point in Alzheimer's research fueled by AI and machine learning. Hear directly from passionate founders in the StartUp Health Alzheimer's Moonshot Community: Catherine Bornbaum, PhD, CBO at RetiSpec, fresh off the company's $10M Series A, unveils a groundbreaking AI-powered device that analyzes the retina for insights into brain health. Ken Mariash, CEO of Sinaptica Therapeutics, discusses using AI and neuromodulation to potentially slow Alzheimer's and strengthen brain function in healthy individuals. Discover: How AI is unlocking a multi-modal understanding of the brain The potential for revolutionizing treatment for all brain conditions The cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of Alzheimer's research This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about brain health and the fight against Alzheimer's! 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. Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot Funders: Become a Health Moonshot Champion

Transforming diabetes management with DCB: On this week's StartUp Health NOW, we chat with Greta Ehlers from Diabetes Center Berne (DCB) at the 2024 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. DCB's mission? Revolutionize diabetes management with a unique global innovation challenge that attracts 100+ innovative startups. In this episode, we explore: Cutting-edge trends: Discover how AI and non-invasive monitoring are simplifying daily life for people with diabetes. A supportive launchpad: Learn about DCB's program, featuring an application process, expert evaluation, and an in-person boot camp in Switzerland for finalists. Building a community: This intensive boot camp fosters collaboration, one-on-one coaching, and lasting connections between startups. Making a global impact: Funded by a private benefactor, DCB offers startups the resources and connections they need to transform diabetes management worldwide. Making it personal: Ehlers, like many DCB team members, has a personal connection to diabetes, enhancing the commitment and understanding of the challenges faced by those living with diabetes. Listen in to see how DCB is bringing the future of diabetes care closer, one innovative idea at a time! 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. Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot Funders: Become a Health Moonshot Champion

Mary Furlong, a legend in AgeTech, discusses go-to-market strategies for the longevity market. She emphasizes the importance of identifying real senior needs and building socially conscious businesses. Learn from her wisdom and take your longevity business to the next level.

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. Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot Funders: Become a Health Moonshot Champion

Dr. Harry Leider shares insights on customer understanding, launching MVPs in healthcare, and managing sales cycles. Discussions include challenges in the healthcare startup industry, regulatory hurdles, and strategies for building sales teams. Learn about Zinnia, direct-to-consumer marketing, and navigating the healthcare entrepreneurship space.

Sami Inkinen, CEO of Virta Health, shares surprises as a health tech founder, balancing roles, strategic planning, and personal journey. He discusses challenges in the healthy food industry for diabetes market and strategic planning for company growth. Inkinen reflects on post-success mental challenges and mind training, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the entrepreneurial journey.

Breaking Down Silos for Alzheimer's Innovation: A Conversation with Aishu Sukumar of Gates Ventures This episode of StartUp Health NOW welcomes Aishu Sukumar of Gates Ventures in another in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board. A champion for collaboration: Explore Sukumar's vision for leveraging data and fostering collaboration among Alzheimer's innovators. From research scientist to moonshot leader: Discover Sukumar's unique career path that bridges science, business, and healthcare, taking her from Harvard Medical School and Berkeley to working at startups and then to Gates Ventures. The power of a Health Moonshot Community: Learn how this initiative is uniting innovators to accelerate progress against Alzheimer's. This episode is for you if: You're passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer's. You believe in the power of collaboration in tackling complex challenges. You're curious about the journeys of inspiring healthcare leaders. Want even more about Alzheimer’s disease innovation? Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot Meet the first companies to join the Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community Meet Phyllis Ferrell, Chief Impact Officer for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Join us as we explore how Aishu Sukumar's diverse background is shaping the future of Alzheimer's research as a member of our Alzheimer's Moonshot Impact Board. Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox. Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot Funders: Become a Health Moonshot Champion

This episode of StartUp Health NOW challenges your perception of Alzheimer's in another in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board. This week's guest is Craig Ritchie, MD, PhD, CEO & Founder of Scottish Brain Sciences and a Professor at University of St. Andrews. A new view of Alzheimer's: Discover the distinction between what Dr. Ritchie calls Alzheimer's disease vs Alzheimer's dementia. The invisible threat: Learn how Alzheimer's can exist without noticeable symptoms, impacting younger individuals. Shifting the research focus: Explore the importance of studying pre-symptomatic Alzheimer's for effective treatment. Unleashing innovation: Gain insights into Dr. Ritchie's optimism for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community. This episode is for you if: You're interested in the latest Alzheimer's research. You want to understand the different stages of Alzheimer's. You're curious about the power of collaboration in tackling Alzheimer's. Want even more about Alzheimer’s disease innovation? Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot Meet the first companies to join the Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community. Meet Phyllis Ferrell, Chief Impact Officer for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Join us as we redefine Alzheimer's and ignite hope for a future free from dementia! Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox. Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot Funders: Become a Health Moonshot Champion

Hope on the Horizon: A New Era of Alzheimer's Innovation This episode of StartUp Health NOW dives deep into the fight against Alzheimer's disease in the second in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer's Moonshot Impact Board. Join us as we chat with Kristina Malzbender, the Associate Director, Health & Life Sciences, at Gates Ventures. Hear from this key leader about the concrete realities behind the optimism in Alzheimer's innovation. A century of relentless pursuit: Learn how the tide is turning after decades of dedicated research. Early detection, slowed progression, and even potential cures: Explore exciting advancements in Alzheimer's treatment. Gates Ventures and the Diagnostic Accelerator (DxA): Find out how Gates Ventures and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) are supporting companies and academic researchers developing novel biomarkers and diagnostics for Alzheimer's. Introducing StartUp Health's Alzheimer's Moonshot: Discover a powerful collaboration aimed at accelerating progress This episode is for you if: You're passionate about Alzheimer's disease. You're curious about the latest advancements in dementia research. You want to learn how you can contribute to the fight against Alzheimer's. Want even more about Alzheimer’s disease innovation? Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot Meet the first companies to join the Alzheimer's Moonshot Community. Meet Phyllis Ferrell, Chief Impact Officer for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Join us as we ignite hope for the future of Alzheimer's innovation!   Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox. Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot Funders: Become a Health Moonshot Champion