This post is sponsored by MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum.
Digital health makes for strange bedfellows and some interesting transformations. In fact, some Blues have been embarking on venture capital investments. This could have an effect on all aspects of early stage Angel and VC, as well as Series B and C investments. The bigger the partnership, the bigger the investor pool. It’s a topic near and dear to us, and one of greater discussion at our MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum, March 10,11 in Chicago. Don’t miss it!
Here’s the first shot across the traditional bow. BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners has been the third most active digital health investor since 2010. Merck’s Global Health Innovation Fund and Qualcomm Ventures have also participated in this new frontier, according to CB Insights.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners, founded in 2008 by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association in a partnership with Chicago-based investment house Sandbox Industries, started with $116 million from 11 Blue insurers. Sandbox managing director Matt Downs leads BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners. We’re heavily involved with Matt and know for a fact that few health startups start with that kind of bang.
They have now split their $300 million into two funds, with capital contributions from 24 Blue Cross insurers, and a nurture portfolio of 22 companies including private exchanges, workplace wellness, medical practice scheduling and non-invasive cardiology diagnostics.
Funny how Silicon Valley tech players still peg Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurers as their parent’s employer-based health plan. In fact, BCBSVP has offered a huge market advantage to healthcare startups. Insurers paying for the healthcare of 100 million Americans have a certain gravitas–which may be one reason why the venture fund is the third most active since the dawn of health reform.
Can more healthcare companies evolve and pivot to take advantage of new opportunities in this rapidly evolving environment?
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Come hear what industry professionals have to say from Cigna’s Michael Sturmer, Tom Olenzak from Independence Blue Cross, Anna Haghgooie from Sandbox Industries and Kathleen Tune from Thomas, McNerney & Partners at our MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum in Chicago, March 10 and 11.
Creative commons photo courtesy TaxFix.
Chelli Miller is the president and CEO of ChelliConnects. Her professional reputation provides her with an unprecedented reach into new and evolving Life Science technologies, innovative marketing and communications platforms, related investor world, and strategic relationships. Chelli embodies the ethics and integrity to see client needs through to completion by designing innovative growth solutions and deep relationships that bridge gaps with both new and existing resources. Chelli has the innate ability and proven track record to find cutting edge growth strategies that are winners for everyone involved.
