PHILADELPHIA – (March 19, 2024) – The Science Center has selected 10 medtech and digital health startups from across the country to participate in the fourth cohort of its Capital Readiness Program. The startups will be in Philadelphia March 25-29 working alongside investors and subject matter experts to give founders a higher success rate when they embark on their first institutional round of investment.
Launched in early 2023, startups who participated in the first three cohorts of the program have raised $13.8 million despite challenging market conditions. Of the 31 founders supported across the first three cohorts, 81% identified as underrepresented.
March 2024 Capital Readiness Program participants:
Alpine Health Systems, Inc. (Port Saint Lucie, FL)
SaaS platform helping hospitals increase revenue by reducing delayed discharges and improving staff operational efficiencies.
Altheia Inc (Wayzata, MN)
A digital health company that has developed the solution Acuvia, a SaaS platform to provide intelligent prioritization of clinical case management resources while addressing issues around accessibility, data diversity, systemic inequities and portability.
Endomedix (Montclair, NJ)
A medtech company developing bleeding control for brain surgery.
Hera Health Solutions (Memphis, TN)
A pharmaceutical device company specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of long-acting treatments through proprietary bio erodible drug delivery implants.
LastMinute (Brookline, MA)
AI-driven healthcare staffing automation software.
Oatmeal Health (Mountain View, CA)
Oatmeal Health is an end-to-end clinical service providing AI-enabled cancer screening, early detection, and access for marginalized communities of FQHCs and Health Plans. Starting with lung and breast cancer.
Pearl Antigenics Inc (Philadelphia, PA)
Point-of-care trichomoniasis test for all genders.
Percy (Washington, D.C.)
Contactless, AI-driven device and platform that provides real-time sleep behavior and environmental data, insights and instructions as a service to help practitioners create personalized treatment plans without the need for pharmaceuticals.
Syntr Health Technologies, Inc. (Irvine, CA)
Innovative fat transfer technology for enhanced recovery post-mastectomy.
TYBR Health (Houston, TX)
Makes a flowable biologic barrier gel to reduce adhesions and improve mobility post-surgery.
The Capital Readiness Program gives founders the requisite acumen, tools, and invaluable exposure to experts to navigate the investor landscape and position themselves for commercial growth.
Designed specifically for startups embarking on their first institutional round of financing, the Capital Readiness Program features insights from due diligence partners, stress test scenarios, mock board meetings, one-on-one feedback sessions with investors, and helps founders finalize their deal rooms over the course of five days.
March 2024 Investors-in-Residence Include:
- Alicia Hanf, CEO & Managing Partner at Dear Mama Ventures (Los Angeles, CA)
- Jim Mayhall, Venture Partner at Empactful Capital (Philadelphia, PA)
- Garry McBerryhill, US Market Lead at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners (Albany, NY)
- José Padilla, Founder and Managing Attorney at Padilla Law (San Antonio, TX)
- Julien L. Pham, MD, MPH, Founder and Managing Partner of 3CC | Third Culture Capital (Boston, MA)
- Justin Williams, Principal at Seae Ventures (Miami, FL)
“2023 was a challenging year for startups and while we’re optimistic about 2024, founders must distinguish themselves to discerning investors who have a reduced tolerance for risk right now,” says Tiffany Wilson, Science Center president & CEO. “The Capital Readiness Program gives founders the requisite acumen, tools, and invaluable exposure to experts to navigate the investor landscape and position themselves for commercial growth.”
The Science Center offers best-in-class startup support programming that taps into local, national, and international networks. The Capital Readiness Program is a part of a suite of support offered by the Science Center to fill gaps in the startup ecosystem.
The Science Center is currently recruiting for the fifth cohort of its Capital Readiness Program taking place June 24-28, 2024. Applications are due by April 22.
About the Science Center
The Science Center is Philadelphia’s premier catalyst of entrepreneurial activity, healthcare innovation, and economic growth. Established in 1963, the nonprofit has been recognized by The Brookings Institution as a best-in-class investor, mentor, and economic development partner for young technology companies. Working alongside industry partners and leading research and academic institutions across the globe, the Science Center has supported hundreds of early-stage companies that have a combined $7.8B annual economic impact on Greater Philadelphia. Today, the organization advances healthcare innovation from idea to the marketplace through startup support services and building inclusive STEM pathways for Philadelphia youth and adults. For more information, visit sciencecenter.org or follow us @UCScienceCenter.
