The Louisville healthcare startup scene.

Several good VC | funding reads, health system CIOs, Repatient!

Author

Andrew Steen
July 29, 2025

Last week was rough, huh?

“A chat with... Alexander Ding, MD, MBA”

Our first “official” event was a success, I think. First, a big thank you to Dr. Alex Ding for his generous time. Second, thanks to Story for hosting. Finally, thanks to all who attended—founders, co-founders aplenty!

We talked about value-based care. And we discussed the Louisville healthcare | healthtech startup scene. Did we convince Alex Louisville has an existing niche? [ Don’t think so. 😉] Also, those in attendance know Dr. Ding’s favorite band.

You should have been there.

Wouldn’t it be cool if…

A $10 million venture fund to invest in early-stage healthcare companies.

Henry Ford, MSU launch innovation hub with $10M venture fund - Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis

Detroit-based Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University Health Sciences have launched a joint initiative aimed at turning early-stage healthcare innovations into real-world solutions. The new Innovation Hub is designed to accelerate the commercialization of medical technologies that aim to improve care delivery, expand access and enhance patient experiences, according to a July 23 news […]

www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/innovation/henry-ford-msu-launch-innovation-hub-with-10m-venture-fund/?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9128I7569089J3D

The below was from 2022. I don’t think this fact has changed, however. If you peruse the 2022 list you won’t find any systems based in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. If that has indeed changed, let us know.

23 health systems with investment arms - Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis

Health systems across the U.S. are increasingly embracing venture capital as a way to test new technologies, a shift away from the traditional reliance on developing in-house intellectual property.

www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/innovation/22-health-systems-with-investment-arms

Digital intervention for asthma.

Apple and Elevance's asthma study shows wearables can help improve health for lower-income people, too 

Study participants effectively managed their asthma with a smartphone app that used data from Apple Watch.

www.statnews.com/2025/07/23/apple-elevance-asthma-study-shows-wearables-utility-in-chronic-disease-management/?utm_campaign=the_readout&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8yIRj15ilYXvXT79CDxnVZQOS6GG75YbpbWAVHUg9aZCx7RCiRkxGyy0iQpgP0KSRgPb48aIx5W4l-8gONtbKnaGfVww&_hsmi=372593671&utm_content=372593671&utm_source=hs_email

Y’all remember Crestwood, KY-based Revon Systems, right?

Revon Systems' Digital Therapeutics Enters Collaboration with AstraZeneca in Respiratory Medicine

/PRNewswire/ -- Digital therapeutics company, Revon Systems will be working with AstraZeneca's Innovative Medicine and Early Development (IMED) Biotech Unit in...

www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/revon-systems-digital-therapeutics-enters-collaboration-with-astrazeneca-in-respiratory-medicine-300678399.html

LEHI, Utah, LOUISVILLE, Ky., and AUSTIN, Tex.

Waystar acquired Iodine Software.

Waystar to acquire Iodine Software

July 23, 2025

investors.waystar.com/static-files/192aa9b3-64be-4c98-a7c7-0bb6cb235f98?_bhlid=17c3642d6327fbaa7f30781c64ac5bfe1977152a

Supports Waystar’s GenAI strategy?

Medicaid navigation.

Interesting company. Also a space where I think Louisville could have the talent to build. Maybe?

Fortuna Health Raises $18M Led by Andreessen Horowitz to Modernize Medicaid Access and Infrastructure Amid Federal Reforms

www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250721481890/en/Fortuna-Health-Raises-%2418M-Led-by-Andreessen-Horowitz-to-Modernize-Medicaid-Access-and-Infrastructure-Amid-Federal-Reforms

Great read on Fortuna via Health Tech Nerds.

Nikita Singareddy, Co-Founder and CEO at Fortuna Health, on building in Medicaid

An interview with Fortuna Health's CEO discussing a variety of topics related to Fortuna's model and the Medicaid market more broadly

www.healthtechnerds.com/p/nikita-singareddy-co-founder-and-ceo-at-fortuna-health-on-building-in-medicaid-b360

Digital health funding.

“AI-focused companies pulled in 69% of all digital health investment this quarter.”

State of Digital Health Q2’25 Report - CB Insights Research

After a strong start to the year, digital health experienced a pullback in Q2’25. Deal volume declined, marking the lowest level of quarterly activity in the last 5 years. The drop reflects growing selectivity in a market still grappling with …

www.cbinsights.com/research/report/digital-health-trends-q2-2025/?utm_campaign=EM_IUR-LD_2025_07_26_STATE_DIGITAL_HEALTH_Q2_2025_REPORT_RELEASE&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_2OXvF1JuZZpmoDwjGuu5TL6EK90MD83DAwvW3FSW00ZHHNh_I1Uj-99-ShmWMBi85CxUkmrX8lZjJ9KGbsIZNQ7W0dQ&_hsmi=372701433&utm_content=report-download&utm_source=hs_email

“…being in the right places at the right times…”

Lots to glean from this paper. Interesting quote; “Success in VC is probably 10% about picking, and 90% about sourcing the right deals and having entrepreneurs choose your firm as a partner.”

The persistent effect of initial success: Evidence from venture capital

We use investment-level data to study performance persistence in venture capital (VC). Consistent with prior studies, we find that each additional ini…

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304405X20300337

148 hospital and health system CIOs to know

  1. Robecca Quammen. Senior Vice President and CIO at ScionHealth (Louisville, Ky.).

  2. Steve Ready. Senior Vice President and CIO of Norton Healthcare (Louisville, Ky).

  3. Andy Price. Vice President, Chief Information and Information Security Officer at St. Claire HealthCare (Morehead, Ky.).

148 hospital and health system CIOs to know | 2025 - Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis

Chief information officers are harnessing cutting-edge technologies to enhance, streamline and elevate the delivery of healthcare. The IT leaders featured here are driving forward-thinking strategies that create meaningful improvements for both patients and providers. Working closely with their skilled teams, they’re transforming their hospitals and health systems through initiatives like EHR upgrades, advanced cybersecurity solutions […]

www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/148-hospital-and-health-system-cios-to-know-2025/?utm_content=340484661&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-42664672

Repatient!

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