Define Ventures

Health tech has always been an industry filled with potential, but in the last five years, it has truly proven itself. In 2020, health tech reached 10% of all venture investment for the first time, marking its distinction as an emerging sector. Since then, it has maintained that momentum — securing billion-dollar exits, delivering strong returns to investors, and performing at similar trajectories as more established sectors like fintech and consumer. Our latest report, Health Tech’s Defining Decade, outlines how the industry has evolved and where it’s headed next. Some of the key insights include: ??? How health tech grew into a dominant venture category ? The trends that are shaping the next phase of investment and innovation ? Why companies in this next wave are scaling faster and reaching exits more efficiently If the last five years was about proving health tech’s potential, the next five years is about realizing it. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g72dvBu3

We're proud to be part of NVIDIA's healthcare and life sciences startup ecosystem, partnering closely together to push the boundaries of what's possible. #GTC25

Building a thriving workplace culture isn't about implementing flashy perks or benefits. It requires intentional strategies at every stage of the employee lifecycle - from hiring to onboarding, development, and retention. By creating transparent processes, setting clear expectations, listening to employees, and taking decisive action, you can build a workplace where talented people want to stay and contribute their best work. This guide from our head of people Karsten Vagner shares practical insights on creating a workplace where people thrive, with a special focus on the unique factors that health tech companies face. https://lnkd.in/gbW_6Yt8

In the latest edition of our Defining Healthcare newsletter, we cover... *What every AI founder needs to know before pitching potential customers *Our take on the next generation of health tech companies poised to go public, including Hinge Health *Healthcare AI's potential, according to Anthropic co-founder & president Daniela Amodei *Why we're so excited to have Carolyn Magill join our team as venture partner *Sage advice from our head of people Karsten Vagner on how to ensure your team knows how to hit their goals ...and plenty more. If you'd like to be on the list for the next edition, sign up here. https://lnkd.in/gmnvYdRC

Most VCs think people strategy = hiring great talent. But hiring alone isn’t enough — scaling teams and building a strong culture is what sets successful startups apart. Founders should look for investors who help them develop leadership, align their teams, and scale their culture — not just make hires. Our Head of People Karsten Vagner dives into what founders should be asking of their investors and ensure they go beyond recruiting and truly help them build for scale. https://lnkd.in/gAAyGsbz

We’re thrilled to welcome Carolyn Magill to Define Ventures as our newest Venture Partner! Carolyn is a seasoned healthcare leader and two-time CEO, most recently joining us as CEO at Aetion. Our team has had the privilege of closely partnering with Carolyn as a Define Advisor for many years, and we're confident her deep expertise, particularly in data and AI applications within the pharmaceutical landscape, will be invaluable to our partner companies. We recently sat down with Carolyn to learn more about why she decided to join Define, what excites her about the health tech industry today, and what she's learned throughout her career journey. https://lnkd.in/gYBZ_dvG

Blake Madden we'd agree with your hunch!

Our team is reflecting on another engaging AI forum with our close partners at leading providers and payers — this time at #ViVE25. Thank you to our co-hosts Gurmeet Sran, MD, MS at CommonSpirit Health; Patrick McGill, MD MBA at Community Health Network; and Bradley Crotty MD MPH at Froedtert Health for leading engaging conversations about priority use cases in AI today. We're already looking forward to the next one!

Payers and providers are approaching AI with as much pragmatism as enthusiasm, with the vast majority (73%) having established AI governance committees. These committees play a critical role in aligning AI initiatives with organizational values and fostering trust. They help to ensure AI adoption aligns with core values like patient protection, data privacy, and workforce trust — a balancing act that can be challenging. For founders selling AI solutions into these large healthcare organizations, it's critical to anticipate and address the concerns of AI governance bodies by proactively mitigating risks related to safety and data policies. Read our full report linked in the comments — based on extensive research with C-suite leaders and senior executives from over 60 payer and providers and chock full of valuable insights for entrepreneurs.

Started from the bottom, now we're at the next technology inflection point. Thanks to everyone who joined our Founder & Managing Partner Lynne Chou O'Keefe at #ViVE2025 for a practical discussion on what our healthcare system will look like over the next ten years, thanks to AI, and what it will take to get there.