Holger Willems

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤❗ 5 MedTech Trends to Watch in 2025 (by Pitchbook report). The MedTech sector is poised for some interesting shifts in 2025. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect: 1/ Top-line vs Bottom-line divergence: ↳ Revenue growth will be moderate, but profits are expected to surge. ↳ EBITDA growth could hit 16% for medical devices and 13% for diagnostics. 2/ Cost-cutting pays off: ↳ After years of strategic pivots, big MedTech companies are starting to see results. ↳ Higher margins and free cash flow (FCF) are the reward for all that belt-tightening. 3/ Diagnostics in the fast lane: ↳ While most MedTech segments grow steadily, diagnostics firms like Natera and Exact Sciences will grow exponentially. 4/ M&A and IPO landscape unclear: ↳ The path for mergers and acquisitions is still shaky, but strong IPOs like Tempus AI reignite investor interest in new public companies. 5/ IPO comeback? ↳ Tempus AI’s stock soared over 25% post-IPO, signaling that investors might be warming up to MedTech again after the COVID-era deSPAC freeze. 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for MedTech, with strong profit growth and renewed investor interest on the horizon. Keep an eye on high-growth diagnostics and potential IPO opportunities as the sector continues to evolve. -------------------------- ♻️ Repost and follow Leon Eisen, PhD for daily fundraising, entrepreneurship and VC insights.    Ring the 🔔 on my profile.

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How do you pitch a medical device to investors? Yes, you need to show off the innovation itself, but there's so much more to it... 1️⃣ Start with the problem. What’s the pain point your device solves? Who is affected, and how significant is the impact? Use real-world examples to make it relatable. The more clearly you highlight the need, the more convincing your solution becomes. 2️⃣ Simplify the solution. Medical devices are often complex, but your pitch shouldn’t be. Focus on what your device does, how it works, and why it’s better—using plain, straightforward language. Avoid the urge to dive into jargon or over-explaining technical details. 3️⃣ Show the impact. Investors and stakeholders need to see the tangible outcomes. Will your device reduce costs? Improve patient outcomes? Streamline workflows? Back up your claims with data or early results whenever possible. 4️⃣ Focus on outcomes, not features. Your audience doesn’t need to know every feature of your device—they need to know why it matters. How does it change the game for patients, clinicians, or the healthcare system? 5️⃣ Highlight the market opportunity. How big is the problem, and how big is the opportunity? Investors need to know about the market size and scalability. 6️⃣ Make it visual. This is where many startups fall short. A video that demonstrates your device in action—its functionality, impact, and benefits—can make your pitch unforgettable. It brings your device to life in a way that presentation slides or words alone can’t. Your pitch isn’t just about selling a product — it’s about building trust and excitement for what your innovation can achieve. ------- Orbion helps MedTech startups by delivering creative video content and cutting-edge animations to showcase innovations, explain products, and attract investors. #MedTech #Pitching #MedicalDevices

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Incredibly excited to share our updated Healthcare AI thesis. This is not a market map – in 4,000 words, we dive deeply into the research, products, business models, and market entry points that are reimagining healthcare with AI. More specifically, we cover: • Translating AI research into real-world products • Mapping modalities (software, copilots, agents, services, diagnostics, therapeutics) to problems in healthcare • Designing AI business models that unlock billion-dollar markets • Closing current gaps in healthcare AI infrastructure • Distinguishing AI platforms from point solutions Let us know what you think ⤵️

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Here’s your recap of last week’s health IT news 🗞️ 👇 🥼AI Clinician Assistant • Suki : The AI scribe announced an SDK and APIs enabling developers to integrate ambient documentation into their applications. • Apricot: The gen AI pre-seed startup focused on reducing documentation overhead for home health nurses launched. • Tampa General Hospital + Palantir Technologies: The health system and the software platform are partnering to develop an AI care coordination and decision support platform. ☎️ AI Contact Center • Mediktor + Sensely: The AI symptom triage solution acquired the conversational member engagement platform. 📋  Patient Administration • Oracle (Cerner) + Loyal: The EHR now offers integration with the patient engagement solution through its Healthcare Marketplace. • HubSpot: The CRM and marketing platform announced it will now offer HIPAA support and sensitive data tools. 🏥 Provider and Practice Administration • LeanTaaS: The AI-enabled facility management solution released updates including: mobile-first live view of OR schedule, predictive staffing automation, and a gen AI solution allowing decision-makers to glean staffing and scheduling insights. ⚕️ Clinical Operations • Keragon: The HIPAA-compliant automation platform launched out of stealth with a $3M funding round. 🧑‍💻 Virtual and At-Home Care • AvaSure + CLEW: The virtual care platform is partnering with the AI-powered remote patient monitoring and analytics company to improve patient outcomes. 🍎 VBC • Evolent + Machinify, Inc.: The VBC org acquired AI Authorization assets from the AI operating system platform.    • ProgenyHealth, LLC + Wildflower Health: The maternity and NICU case management solution is partnering with the women’s health VBC enabler to “help health plans fill gaps, collapse silos and integrate into existing clinical and operational workflows.”    • Health Catalyst + Carevīve: The population health data and analytics company has completed acquisition of the cancer care management solution. 🧠 Food for Thought: • This article provided an interesting look at Nebraska Medicine’s efforts to design a next-generation hospital room, including the four technologies they’ve selected to anchor their work. https://lnkd.in/em-u-a5v    • McKinsey released a survey of 200 global health system executives on their investment priorities. Among the notable findings, 88% listed AI as an area of high potential impact, yet only 40% have implemented any solution thus far and over 20% don’t have plans to invest in the next two years. https://lnkd.in/eK3CeqQ2

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Looking beyond #VC funding for your #startup? Aakash Shah of Wyndly (YC W21) reveals how he built a multi-million dollar #healthtech company using creative capital strategies. Learn how he leveraged Y Combinator's network and alternative funding methods to revolutionize allergy treatment. In case you missed it, you can watch the #FundraisingDemystified #podcast here: https://lnkd.in/eZT63YS4

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Hot off the pre-print server – an important publication authored by the Atropos Health team exploring the performance of LLMs in answering real-world clinical questions. LLMs excel at summarizing and contextualizing existing literature, but cannot generate de novo medical evidence today. The results of the study highlight performance gains attributable to injecting novel, relevant, and up-to-date medical evidence into LLM-powered clinical decision support systems. Brigham Hyde Nigam Shah Saurabh Gombar Read the study here: https://lnkd.in/ecuU25Pq

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It's been 100 years since Hans Berger made the first EEG recording of the brain, but we still don't fully understand what those brainwaves are telling us. That's why I was so excited to talk with Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou and Kris Pahuja, the co-founders of Piramidal (YC W24), a Y Combinator company building an AI model to unlock the secrets of brainwaves. Dimitris, a neuroscientist with a PhD, and Kris, a tech executive, have a unique story. They've combined their expertise to turn their groundbreaking idea into a thriving startup. On this episode of Lobster Talks - Y Combinator Secrets, we talked about Piramidal's journey, including: - The challenges of building a groundbreaking AI model for brainwaves. - The importance of data access and the ethical considerations surrounding this sensitive technology. - How Y Combinator has accelerated their growth. - Their ambitious vision for the future of brainwave AI, including expanding beyond EEG to create personalized AI solutions. Listen to the full episode to learn about Piramidal's mission and their vision for a future where AI can unlock the secrets of the human brain: Listen to the full episode now: https://lnkd.in/eaJuUZ-Q #ycombinator #venturecapital #investing #startup #growth #neuroscience #ai #artificialintelligence #brainwaves #lobstercapital #piramidal

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Medical venture capital (VC) is a source of funding and resources that helps medical technology (MedTech) companies thrive and adapt to the needs of patients and healthcare providers. VC firms help MedTech companies by: Providing cash flow VC firms provide the capital needed for companies to bring their products to market. Supporting innovation VC firms invest in companies that offer innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Steering companies towards profitability VC firms help companies progress towards the most profitable exit within the timeframe they estimate for returns on investment. Influencing technology design VC firms influence technology design priorities by enforcing time and resource constraints. Some of the areas where VC is investing in MedTech include: Precision medicine VC firms are investing in companies that offer innovative solutions for precision medicine, such as artificial intelligence, genomics, and data analytics. Medical devices VC firms are investing in companies that develop advanced medical technologies and devices to improve patient care and treatment outcomes. Digital health monitoring devices VC firms are investing in companies that create wearable devices and remote monitoring technologies. AI in medical imaging VC firms are investing in companies that combine AI and medical imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy. #atheenapandian

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🚀 Great to see SiPhox Health, one of our portfolio companies, featured in MIT News! The article captures how SiPhox is attempting to revolutionize home-based blood testing with cutting-edge silicon photonic technology. We co-invested in SiPhox through LongeVC back in 2023, alongside Intel Capital (leading the Series A), Khosla Ventures , and other prominent investors, because we recognized the disruptive potential of this technology. I think SiPhox’s approach to diagnostics is not just an incremental improvement—it’s a leap forward in accessibility, precision, and scalability. Here is my take what stands out in the SiPhox’s story: ✔️ Miniaturization of Lab-Grade Diagnostics: SiPhox has condensed what traditionally required large optical lab equipment into a single silicon photonic chip, leveraging advances in integrated optics and semiconductor manufacturing. ✔️ Scalability Through Silicon Photonics: Their chip fabrication can scale to produce billions of disposable chips per month using standard semiconductor fabs, enabling cost-effective, high-volume production. ✔️ Seamless Patient Experience: The "Nespresso-like" blood testing system integrates third-party blood sample collection (e.g., arm patches) with a reusable device and disposable cartridges, providing an intuitive, at-home diagnostic solution. ✔️ High-Fidelity Results: SiPhox's photonic immunoassay sensors offer lab-grade precision, tracking critical biomarkers for chronic disease management directly from home. ✔️ Platform Potential: Beyond diagnostics, SiPhox’s ecosystem offers integration with telehealth providers and third-party health services, paving the way for an Apple App Store-like platform for healthcare. This is healthcare democratization in action, making regular health monitoring as simple as brushing your teeth. Also, Kudos to Zach Winn of MIT for capturing this innovation so well. The future of healthcare is here, and we couldn’t be prouder to support SiPhox on this journey. 💡 Check out the article in the comments 👇 Image credit: MIT News and SiPhox Health

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🔥💰️ 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐩𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 “𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞” 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 $𝟗𝟖𝐊 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥 for a few days of high traffic, after their free app went viral. Here's how we did things differently at OmniCreator 👇️ Going "viral" and "scale at all costs" were over-glorified among VC-backed startups in ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy) era. Daigo Tanaka, PhD and I hated this model. Serverless or not, we focused on creating a service many people find it worth paying the money from the beginning. As a result, Daigo went above and beyond to integrate a seamless payment processing system for users from the beginning. By doing this we made sure monthly fee could pay the server cost per user. We also controlled the signup quantity and quality via invitation-only system. This allowed us to manage bugs, focus on customer success, and grow at a sustainable rate. We never intended to raise money. Our growth is much slower but we are making more than we pay. IMO that's a pretty damn good business model these days. #medtech #technology #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur

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September 27 2024 – 5 Notable Articles To Read Article: Google DeepMind AI drug discovery spinout Isomorphic Labs issues £182M in new shares Takeaway: The UK-based company, which has created an AI-driven drug discovery platform for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries and is ultimately owned by Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, filed the document earlier this month. Source: Sifted Link: https://lnkd.in/desGyh_b Article: Germany unveils €12B initiative to bolster startup scene Takeaway: Politicians aim to raise €12B from both public and private investors by 2030. The WIN Initiative, announced earlier this year, plans to secure funding from public and private capital sources, including Deutsche Bank, Allianz, Commerzbank AG, Deutsche Telekom, AXA Deutschland, and insurance companies such as HUK-COBURG. Source: Sifted Link: https://lnkd.in/danWh2tr Article: Schroders Capital receives approval to launch UK venture and growth LTAF Takeaway: Schroders Capital, the $97.3B specialist private markets arm of Schroders Group, has obtained regulatory approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority to launch its third Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF), and the first focused exclusively on UK VC. Source: Funds Europe Link: https://lnkd.in/dzp8gk3T Article: As AI Chip Startups Sell to Mideast, More Hire in Region Takeaway: Chip startups SambaNova Systems, Cerebras Systems, and Groq, aiming to capture a share of the $71BAI chip market, are targeting sales to Middle Eastern countries with substantial financial resources and ambitious AI goals. Source: The Information Link: https://lnkd.in/dAbR3mUr Article: Alaska Airlines completes its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, which will remain a separate brand Takeaway: Alaska Airlines finalized its $1B acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, just a day after the federal government cleared the final regulatory hurdle. As part of the deal, Alaska will also take on approximately $900 million of Hawaiian's debt. Source: The Associated Press Link: https://lnkd.in/d4vEwvsS #news #research #business #ai

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AI has made good design more important than ever in healthcare. Why? Model performance alone doesn't guarantee clinical or financial value. A model can deliver a robust insight/output (accurate, reliable, complete, etc.), but clinician-users may struggle to use or integrate it in a real-world setting. As healthcare AI systems become compound machines, these design challenges amplify. Here are two simple examples: • AI systems that do not integrate seamlessly into EHRs, PACS, or pathology viewers may drive differential rates of utilization/adoption across sites, privileging some patients to a given algorithm without an underlying clinical rationale. • Imagine a model recommending a "next best step in care" that is not provided at a given hospital (e.g., due to lacking resources or infrastructure). Contextual and human factors can have a greater influence on whether the value of an AI intervention is realized, even when in silico model performance is compelling. There are two near-term opportunities here: 1) Healthcare AI model benchmarking should encompass "end-to-end systems," capturing nuances around system design, user experience, workflow integration, and ease of adoption. 2) It's time for AI-first design in healthcare – made possible by revisiting the unique capabilities of AI systems and their emergent behaviors to interrogate what new user experiences are possible. What are your favorite examples of AI-first design? #healthcare #ai #artificialintelligence #generativeai

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According to the latest report from Rock Health, digital health funding in Q1 2024 totaled $2.7B across 133 deals, with an average deal size of $20.6M. It doesn’t break out device-related investments, but most medtech founders I meet these days are being forced to chase tiny rounds made up of endless little checks, consuming valuable energy and slowing their progress. The benign neglect of this next generation of diagnostic and therapeutic devices is counterproductive and surprising. Given the crowded virtual care market, for example, I’d expect more such companies would be exploring medtech partnerships, investments or acquisitions that'd enable them to back integrate into delivering sharper, and more differentiated, care and treatment. This is exactly what Maverix Medical is doing from the other direction: Reshaping the entire spectrum of lung cancer care by integrating more advanced + effective approaches to screening and diagnosis, treatment and therapeutics, and even palliative care…And putting it all to work through an innovative provider network. One notable investor exception is Y Combinator partner Surbhi Sarna who’s been backing great teams like Selera Medical (YC W24) doing foundational work on ambitious medical devices. Without more support from investors like her, we’re going to increasingly find ourselves stuck with the incremental portfolio improvements from the incumbents, and that’s just not nearly enough.

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Duolingo’s approach to improving features and engaging users with a data based approach is extremely fascinating.. gave a lot of insights as to how a future forward company can set things up at the base to truly enhance the product with AI .. #remotemonitoring #patientsafety #AI #Aquiredpodcast

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The tool discussed in this article is a perfect example of the type of AI system that the #AIAct is needed for. Corti is a tool for AI-powered patient triaging and coding, determining the appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes, intended to be used in public health services, ambulatory clinics, etc. Safety is their business. Still, too often, builders of such AI companies don't plan to invest in safety and compliance. If they do, their incremental compliance costs on the AI Act should not reach six figures, as mentioned here. There's much to say about the AI Act, though. I am very aware that the compliance costs will be higher than the Commission expected or communicated in their cost analysis. One of the main causes, I think, is that everyone in AI in the EU must conduct an analysis of to what extent the AI Act applies to them and be able to maintain that confidence of the applicability across their AI inventory over time. While EC's estimate of 5-15% of AI systems falling into the high-risk category and the most strict requirements might hold, all of us are impacted. It's time to make smart choices on how to address it. #AIAct #EU #impactanalysis https://lnkd.in/gRf74Ksz

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Our curated list of #BioTech 1700+ startups is your gateway to success! Get detailed insights including founder info, funding amounts, and more. https://payhip.com/b/pmU2E #startup #startups #venturecapital #funding #vc #investmentbanking

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