Ignite

The healthcare industry is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation—shifting research funding, evolving FDA approval processes, cuts in Medicaid, the acceleration of AI-driven solutions, and persistent gaps in women’s health access. The challenges are complex, but the opportunity to drive meaningful change has never been greater. Join us at Ignite’s Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare Summit, where industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers will come together to chart the path forward. Through dynamic discussions and collaborative problem-solving, we will address some of the most pressing questions shaping the future of healthcare: ?? How can we close the gender gap in healthcare research and funding? ?? What structural barriers prevent women from accessing comprehensive, high-quality care? ?? How can we accelerate innovation in women’s health while navigating today’s complex landscape? ?? How will proposed policies impact the adoption and use of AI based solutions. This is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action. Be part of the movement shaping the next chapter of healthcare. ?? Be part of the conversation. Register now: https://lnkd.in/e8-sPKtJ

Ignite is seeking visionary female founders developing innovative healthcare solutions to apply for Golden Ticket | North Texas, the first in a series of four Golden Ticket Programs to be held across the country searching for the Best of the Best female innovators. These programs are the doorway into Ignite's Annual Accelerator Program 2025! Ignite's Golden Ticket Programs provide access to mentorship, strategic resources, and a competitive pitch opportunity designed to accelerate the path to commercialization. Participants will engage with top-tier healthcare leaders and investors, take part in Flash Mentoring sessions with industry experts, and compete in the Golden Ticket Pitch Competition. The top three founders will be awarded a Golden Ticket, securing direct entry into Ignite’s Annual Accelerator Program and access to a powerful network of healthcare industry leaders. ?? The application deadline for North Texas is March 31, 2025. This program's grand finale, the Golden Ticket | North Texas Pitch Competition, will be held at Pegasus Park in Dallas, TX, on May 8, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to connect with Ignite's community of healthcare executives, investors and alum founders and win an opportunity to participate in our Annual Accelerator Program! Apply below ??

Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare is Filling Up – Reserve Your Spot Today! Our official room block is sold out—a testament to the overwhelming enthusiasm for this year’s summit. But DON'T WORRY, if you still need accommodations, we have identified additional hotel options nearby to ensure you can join us for this important event. ?? Find accommodations here: https://lnkd.in/g_SsgUcp #WomenShapingTheFutureOfHealthcare #WSFH25

Golden Ticket | North Texas is NOW OPEN for Applications! ? Calling all women leading digital health and med device startups—this is your opportunity to take your venture to the next level! Ignite has been championing female founders since 2019, and now, with the launch of this year’s Golden Ticket Programs, we’re unlocking new opportunities for bold innovators like YOU. What’s in it for you? ? Exclusive access to a powerful community of trailblazers? ? Unparalleled connections to industry executives and investors? ? A chance to secure a spot in Ignite’s Annual Accelerator? ?An opportunity to pitch to esteemed judges Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your success and transform the future of healthcare. Applications close on March 31st! ?? Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gRDWFWZh #GoldenTicketNTX #WomenInHealthTech #MedDevice #Startups #IgniteAccelerator

Room Block Selling Out — Register for the 2025 Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare Summit Today! ?? The future of healthcare is being shaped right now — and your voice belongs in the conversation. Join us at the Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare Summit, where leaders, innovators, and change-makers come together to drive real impact. ? What’s in store for you? ? Inspiring keynotes on AI advancements, women’s health, and women as game changers ? Thought-provoking tabletop discussions to spark new ideas ? Meaningful networking to grow your community of peers This is your chance to share insights, learn from brilliant minds, and build connections that last long after the event. Don't wait — secure your spot now before it's too late! ? ?? https://lu.ma/dg5i9pls #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInLeadership #IgniteSummit #Networking #AIinHealthcare

We’re excited to announce Jennifer Langton, MBA, Innovation and Transformation Leader and former SVP at the National Football League (NFL), joins the lineup of speakers at Ignite’s Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare Summit! ?? Fresh off the Super Bowl, we’re reminded that true champions redefine the game—on and off the field. Jennifer will share insights from leading groundbreaking health and safety innovations in the NFL, tackling how bold decision-making, risk-taking, and fearless leadership drive lasting change. Learn more and register at the link below ?? #WomenShapingTheFutureOfHealthcare #WSFH25

For decades, the market has?overlooked women-led innovation, leaving?trillions on the table. Women make?80% of healthcare decisions and represent 50% of the market?yet receive?less than 4% of R&D funding. Despite delivering?higher returns per dollar invested, women-led startups?still receive only 2% of VC funding—a figure that barely budged in 2024. Momentum is growing. More funds are targeting female founders, and the number of female VCs is rising. Yet, the needle has barely moved.?What’s missing??A?deliberate strategy to turn proven potential into market-shaping investment. At?Ignite, we’re identifying and accelerating the?most promising female-led healthcare startups, ensuring that groundbreaking innovations reach patients and markets. With?41% of medical school faculty and 38% of biomedical engineers now women, the talent is there—the right investment strategy will unlock?the next wave of billion-dollar companies. ? The data is clear:?This is one of the greatest untapped market opportunities of our time.?Forward-thinking investors are acting now.?Will you? #Innovation #WomenInHealthcare #VentureCapital #FemaleFounders #FemTech #Healthcare

Ignite is excited to welcome Neekta Hamidi as our new Head of Partnerships and Programs in North Texas. Neekta brings a wealth of experience, including roles at Ginkgo Bioworks and Schmidt Futures, where she advanced global partnerships and philanthropic initiatives. She also contributed to science policy during her time at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. With a background in biomedical engineering and advanced degrees in science policy and public health from Arizona State University and The Johns Hopkins University, Neekta is deeply committed to driving innovation in life sciences and biotech. Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, she will play a key role in strengthening Ignite’s presence and partnerships in the region. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/drGkCxrY

Reflecting on an incredible year at Ignite ?? As we close out 2024, we’re grateful for the milestones, partnerships, and community support that continue to propel our mission forward. Together, we’re empowering women entrepreneurs and sparking innovation across healthcare. Here are some 2024 highlights: ???Premiered?Show Her The Money: An award-winning documentary spotlighting that women receive less than 2% of venture capital funding—and how we can change that. Premiered in Houston and Dallas, uniting investors, founders, and executives. ?? Golden Ticket Programs: Launched two new programs in?Baltimore (with Accenture, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and Microsoft) and?North Texas (with Lyda Hill Philanthropies/Pegasus Park) ?? Transformative Growth: A major investment from Lyda Hill Philanthropies is driving Ignite’s North Texas expansion, amplifying our impact for women innovators. ?? Ignite Accelerator: We welcomed 13 groundbreaking women founders leading innovation. Huge thanks to our mentors for their invaluable support! ?? Fire Pitch Competition: A night where founders connected with investors, executives, and leaders. Special thanks to our Judges: Myra Davis, Winjie Tang Miao, Kimberly Muller, Allison Rhines, Angela Shippy MD, and Andrew Truscott, as well as, our award sponsors: JLABS@TMC, Memorial Hermann Health System, SWPDC - Southwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium, Houston Methodist, Texas Children's Hospital, Golden Seeds, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Innovation, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, and Texas Health Resources. To our supporters, partners, and the bold founders we champion—you are the fuel behind this movement. Together, we’re building a future where women entrepreneurs thrive and healthcare is redefined. 2025 is calling, and it’s brighter than ever! #WomenInHealthcare #Innovation #IgniteImpact #WomenEntrepreneurs #YearInReview

Women are vastly underrepresented in founder and investment communities and healthcare research. At Ignite, we’re on a mission to change that. Since 2019, Ignite has been the catalyst for uncovering and supporting visionary female entrepreneurs who are redefining healthcare. Through our programs and events, we connect these game-changing leaders to powerful networks, accelerating their potential to drive transformative innovation. Your support this Giving Tuesday helps us: ? Shatter glass ceilings in healthcare entrepreneurship ? Discover exceptional female founders to redefine what's possible in healthcare ? Unlock the $4.4 trillion economic potential identified in Morgan Stanley’s ‘Trillion Dollar Blind Spot’ Together, we can foster systemic change, improving health and well-being for all. Join us in championing innovation. Your contribution will propel transformative ideas forward where healthcare entrepreneurship knows no boundaries: https://lnkd.in/gJHb2ifD #GivingTuesday #Ignite #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInHealthcare #Entrepreneurship