From Local to Global: How HLTH Fits into Our Bigger Vision

For the Science Center, events like HLTH 2024 are just one chapter in a much larger narrative. It’s a touchpoint in a strategic journey we embarked on when Tiffany Wilson joined as CEO in 2020. That’s when we set a bold goal: to expand our reach nationally and globally.

This isn’t about turning our backs on Philadelphia, the city we’ve called home for over 60 years. It’s about amplifying not only the Science Center, but the region’s life sciences and healthcare assets to a global audience—inviting startups, investors, and partners from around the world to see what makes this city uniquely collaborative, connected, and approachable.

Taking Center Stage at HLTH 2024

Our return to HLTH in October 2024 was a powerful demonstration of that strategy in action. Positioned between the Investor Connect Lounge and Startup Village, the Science Center pavilion stood at the heart of the conference, showcasing seven startup alumni:

• Altheia
• CurieDx
• DriQ
• nurtur
• Percy
• Vital Start Health

And three key partners:

• Cozen O’Connor
• Empactful Capital
• JWC

We made sure to stand out:

• Building on a Scalable Solutions: Nurse Innovation Think Tank we hosted in June, Tiffany Wilson served as a judge in a Nurse Innovation Hackathon and participated in an AMA: Nursing Innovation panel,
• Heath Naquin and Eli Velasquez, alongside our partner Todd Haim from the National Institute on Aging, led a session on funding strategies for startups, covering both dilutive and non-dilutive options,
• and we hosted a Happy Hour in our pavilion that drew hundreds of attendees from across the globe.

Over four days, we connected with hundreds of visitors, held dozens of promising meetings, and shined a spotlight on Philadelphia’s thriving innovation ecosystem. Those conversations didn’t end when the conference did—we’re already seeing follow-up meetings turn into meaningful opportunities.

Scaling Programs for Broader Impact

HLTH wasn’t just a chance to network—it was a platform to highlight the Science Center’s expanding suite of programs with national and global reach.

Our Capital Readiness Program brings both founders and investors to Philadelphia for an intensive, five-day boot camp. We recruit founders and investors from across the U.S., equipping founders with the tools and resources to effectively raise capital from sophisticated investors and giving investors access to proprietary deal flow.

The U.S. Market Access Program supports international healthcare companies navigating their entry into the American market. By leveraging the Science Center’s extensive network and Philadelphia’s strategic location, we position the city as the premier gateway for global innovation to access the U.S. market.

Scaling the FirstHand™ Model Beyond Philadelphia

This global mindset also extends to our FirstHand™ program, which, ten years in, is capturing the attention of innovation ecosystems nationwide. In 2024, The Pearl innovation district in Charlotte, North Carolina, became the latest to tap into the Science Center’s expertise. Facilitated by Wexford Science & Technology, we partnered with Atrium Health (part of Advocate Health) to adapt our industry-informed, hands-on STEM education program to Charlotte’s unique needs and industry strengths.

This collaboration exemplifies the scalability of the FirstHand model, which blends project-based learning with career exposure to inspire students while addressing regional workforce development needs. Partnerships like these demonstrate how the Science Center’s approach can serve as a blueprint for other innovation intermediaries, ensuring a broader impact across diverse regions.

A Broader Vision for Innovation

Whether it’s bringing founders and investors to Philadelphia through the Capital Readiness Program, supporting international companies through the U.S. Market Access Program, or scaling FirstHand to new cities, the Science Center is driving innovation on a global scale.

Our presence at HLTH 2024 reflected that vision in action. As we continue to scale our programs and share our expertise, the Science Center remains committed to inspiring innovation, supporting startups, and advancing workforce development—both locally and across the globe.