PHILADELPHIA (December 2, 2024) – The Science Center has selected 10 promising healthcare technology startups for the sixth cohort of its Capital Readiness Program sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania.
Spanning seven states, the companies will be onsite in Philadelphia from December 9-13 for an immersive five-day boot camp that prepares founders to tackle sophisticated investor inquiries, navigate due diligence processes, and refine their pitches for investors and customers. Through direct feedback from industry-aligned investors and subject matter experts, including payors and providers, participants gain actionable insights to give them a competitive advantage in today’s complex fundraising environment.
Since its launch last year, Capital Readiness Program alumni companies have collectively raised $35 million.
"With more than 50 startups supported across five cohorts, the Capital Readiness Program has earned a reputation by startups and investors as a trusted, proven model for health tech ventures seeking investment, even amid market challenges,” says Tiffany Wilson, President & CEO of the Science Center. “We’re committed to providing founders with the resources, mentorship, and market access they need to de-risk their companies and earn investor confidence in a highly competitive market.”
Capital Readiness Cohort 6 Participants:
Ahersla Health, Inc (Long Beach Twp, NJ)
Ahersla Health, Inc. is a women-owned, medical device start-up using the technology of olfaction (the sense of smell) to redefine how to assess and treat health conditions.
Jaan Biotherapeutics
(San Diego, CA)
Developing MicroRNA targeting drugs to treat heart disease.
Neru Health
(Allston, MA)
Neru Health is a B2B AI-powered sleep therapy platform that scales providers' treatment of chronic sleep disorders, automating every step from diagnosis to treatment management.
Pain Specialists Group
(Bala Cynwyd, PA)
Pain Specialists Group is developing Peripheral Nerve Stimulator implant for pain relief in various parts of the body including back, knee, ankle, shoulder etc.
Robossis (Cherry Hill, NJ)
Robossis is developing the world's first surgical robotic system for long bone fracture surgeries.
Spect (Salt Lake City, UT)
Spect offers AI-powered, handheld, telemedicine-based eye screening, enabling 'Eye Care, Anywhere' to detect conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma in clinics or at home—like a stethoscope for the eyes.
Tandem Community
(The Woodlands, TX)
Tandem Community empowers healthcare providers to deliver culturally responsive perinatal mental health care through seamless software integration, offering diverse women affordable, insurance-covered solutions.
Toivoa, Inc.
(Newark, DE)
Toivoa is a medical device company that develops, validates, and commercializes software-based treatment to support individuals with a disability, with either a physical or mental impairment struggling with mental health, now available for employers to offer as a workplace resource.
Vizmoo (Wynnewood, PA) -
Vizmoo serves the Neurodiverse (Autism, ADD/ADHD, etc.) community to help them thrive, with a uniquely fun, music-and-dance-filled VR platform for movement-based therapeutic interventions.
Yumlish (Dallas, TX)
Yumlish provides tech-enabled, culturally-affirming prevention programs to Medicaid and Medicare members.
Alongside dozens of subject matter experts spanning areas from corporate governance and intellectual property to payors and health systems, the Science Center also integrates Investors-in-Residence into the program. The investors are present throughout the week and work directly with the cohort to provide feedback, strategic guidance, and direction.
Representing $150M in venture capital, Cohort 6 Investors-In-Residence include:
- Erica Murdock, Managing Director, Unseen powered by Seae Ventures (Boston, MA)
- Mahesh Narayanan, Managing Partner, Neuvation Ventures (Baltimore, MD)
- Regina Prasad, Managing Partner, Dovecote Capital (San Francisco, CA)
- Adrianna Samaniego, Partner, Cherryrock Capital (New York, NY)
- Dan Sands, Managing Director, Factor 7 Medical (Dayton, OH)
The University of Pennsylvania is the lead sponsor of Cohort 6 of the Capital Readiness Program. The program is also funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The Science Center is currently recruiting for Cohort 7 of the Capital Readiness Program taking place March 31-April 4, 2025. Applications must be submitted by January 10, 2025.
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 best-in-class startup acceleration activities for companies around the globe and nationally recognized STEM education curricula for Philadelphia youth. For more information, visit sciencecenter.org.
