Melissa Bowley

“So... Apple is entering the hearing space!” For the past two weeks, I've been flooded with messages asking how Apple's latest announcement will impact Concha Labs. Another consumer tech giant is stepping into the hearing space, but what does this really mean? With over 1.5 billion people affected by hearing loss globally, this is a massive market. Yet, like mental health, hearing loss is something people don’t talk about much. If you ask anyone who’s tried hearing aids, you’ll likely hear stories of frustration—they’re often disliked because of impersonal sound quality. For me, they were always too loud or too quiet, and I could never find the “right” fit. This isn’t new. Apple, like Bose before them, will likely face similar challenges in replicating the status quo. Despite their audio expertise, Bose entered the hearing aid space but exited due to the same hurdles. Bluetooth earpieces, with their short battery life and social awkwardness, also highlight how hard it is to create a practical, long-term solution. But here’s the good news: more attention on hearing health, thanks to Apple’s announcement and the OTC Hearing Aid Act, is a win for everyone. It’s sparking conversations about hearing loss—something I kept hidden for decades. Concha Labs' hearing aids are nearly invisible, like contact lenses. When I tell people I’m wearing our product, they’re always shocked because they don’t notice them, even with my hair up! (And this goes for the guys who wear them, too!) What’s clear to me is that while awareness is growing, real innovation comes from solving actual user pain points. That’s where Concha Labs comes in: we offer a fully personalized hearing experience, much like how Spotify revolutionized music personalization beyond iTunes. Our solution is designed for real-world usability—comfortable, discreet, personalized, and customizable in multiple sizes and colors. Created by people who were tired of the status quo (like me!), our Concha Sol hearing aids are made for those who want something better. So, if you’re tired of the same old hearing aids, let Concha Labs empower you to hear clearly. We promise, you’ll notice the difference. 😉 Amy www.conchalabs.com #hearing #hearingaids #apple #conchalabs #invisible #otchearingaids #startup

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A start-up CEO itinerary: June 13-22 - Wilson Sonsini Medical Device & Digital Health Conf. (San Francisco) - Father’s Day (New Hampshire) - Wells Fargo Private Medtech Symposium (Virtual) - Medtech MVP (Minneapolis) - Board Meeting (Virtual) - Day trip (Minnesota) - Becker’s Spine, Orthopedics and Pain-Mgmt ASC Conf. (Chicago). Top 12 takeaways: - The medtech venture market is warming. Might Josh Baltzell’s playing of Vivaldi’s “Spring” concerto at Medtech MVP mark the market’s turn for the positive? - Some are observing “it’s easier today to raise $50mm than $15mm.” For commercial stage companies, this (directionally at least) seems to ring true. There is capital to deploy, but conservatism still abounds. Thanks to Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Banking for the invitation and superb meetings. - Jennie Xue has the pulse on digital medtech. Her presentation at WSGR conference received many complements. - One of the most fun and productive conf formats is the Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati tradition of having VCs host wine tasting stations at the closing reception. It fostered quick, casual hellos and all were good sports (the aprons were a nice touch as well). - Minneapolis is a Medtech star. Great conference and superb showing by the “home team.” Thank you to all. - Scott Becker has built a stellar healthcare franchise. His newsletters are ubiquitous and conference line-up is broad, but I was most impressed with the community of professionals who shared best practices, new strategies and innovative technologies to adopt w peers. Thank you Michael R Redler, MD for the “exciting companies to watch” shoutout to Pristine Surgical. - Ambulatory surgery centers are the unsung heroes of healthcare. What do they want? Not new fangled gadgets, not more expensive capital equipment. They want ways to serve patients better, more efficiently, at a lower cost. “Enough with the AI, give me EI: Efficiency Intelligence. That’s what we need.” We’re on it, Dr Mihir Patel - Summit beer pairs well with appetizers on the run. Thanks for a great day Christopher Cleary and Stephen J. Snyder, MD - Growing up in Minnesota, I’ve crossed the Mississippi hundreds of times. But it’s not til you witness St Anthony Falls up close that you truly appreciate its power. Multiply that 1,000x as it travels to the Gulf. The backbone of America. - For all the career advice on LinkedIn, the best job in the world is being a dad. To the young-ins, have kids. there’s never a “good” time career-wise, but do it anyway. Thanks for making Father’s day special, ladies. #girldad - Community matters. F2F matters. We all are more efficient with Zoom, but the most powerful experiences remain F2F and the most effective conferences recognize that #community is the difference between a functional vs impactful gathering. Kudos to all the organizers who make the effort to make this difference. A great stretch. And to any to whom I still owe a follow-up, more soon!

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This 👂 podcast episode and insight’s from a16z Bio + Health's Julie Yoo spoke so clearly to the fundamental challenge facing both 🩺 clinicians and 🏥 healthcare systems.  There is a huge disconnect between supply, in the availability of clinicians, and demand, in the increasing volume and complexity of healthcare needs. -     36% of physicians plan to reduce their hours next year according to the AMA -     48% of physicians reported feeling burned out in a 2024 Medscape survey At the same time, the demographic baby boomer bubble and steady increase in the prevalence of major chronic disease, which consumes up to 90% of healthcare expenditures according to some estimates, is driving demand. With this context, Yoo points to a major opportunity for AI adoption in healthcare in 2025. Yeah, a VC hyping a wave of new AI companies that will replace the decades of training and experience of clinicians, the skeptic would say.  But Yoo is thoughtful in pointing to the role AI can play, and is already playing, through solutions such as ambient, autonomous scribe solutions (of which local star Abridge is leading the pack) in not replacing, but freeing up productivity for clinicians. There is so much unstructured context in both the complexity of disease and treatment options and the social/emotional considerations that we shouldn't be looking for AI to *replace* clinicians. But companies are getting better at finding the structured, repetitive and time-consuming places where AI tools can *help* clinicians. Nearly two-thirds of doctors cited bureaucratic tasks as the leading contributor to burnout. Rigorously trained-AI driven solutions can be a force multiplier for clinicians, and I’ve seen several interviews where nurses and doctors go as far as to say some of these solutions are ”restoring their joy in practicing medicine”. Our health is precious; and we rightly want any technology engaging with it to be developed thoughtfully and thoroughly tested. This requires top AI talent and diverse and realistic training data. Pittsburgh’s strengths in both areas is why we are an emerging hub for data-driven healthcare. #AIinhealthcare #clinicianburnout #healthinnovation #digitalhealth

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“A world where patients are the CEOs of their health journey”. -Tom Hale It’s happening - everyone who knows me regularly hears me say that we will either create what is needed or someone else will create it themselves and disrupt everyone. If you are in HC do you know who Tom is? I’ve been quietly watching Tom Hale and ŌURA for a while (along with a handful of other true unicorns) and with their recent acquisition of Veri (acquired by ŌURA), Tom reinforces my belief that they are a (if not the) company I want to partner with to create the actual parallel healthcare system we need. One that shifts from looking like a crowded room of point solutions at #hlth2024 trying to fight for a sliver of the point solution budget, to one that sorts solutions by outcomes and makes it easy for the industry to see how they can combine the right solutions to create a healthcare model that delivers true outcomes by reversing disease not just treating it. You know the “outcomes pavilion” Spitball Sunday idea that lots of people liked… One that will deliver the platform Casey Means, MD is convictedly convincing the world we need. One that will drive behavioral change and link with root cause reversal interventions like food, lifestyle board certified physicians Ajay Joseph MD FACC DipABLM dieticians and health coaches Alex Sommers, MD, ABEM, DipABLM and less bricks and mortar reliant primary care relationships Geoffrey Rutledge HealthTap. We still need the tech stack to support it and I’m confident that with Carter Williams Peter Cranstone Robert Sundelius, FACHE Gary W. Druckenmiller, Jr. Josh Erndt-Marino Chris Geisler Kris Narayan Michael Mircea Bidu we will have that covered in spades - my brain isn’t big enough for that too! One where people WANT to create value based care contracts because they don’t want the payers to keep the savings they are generating. Tom also reiterates my platform for a parallel system “it's clear that continuous, high quality data can unlock outcomes, lower cost burdens, and provide patents agency”. Like I said last Saturday in reference to the most recent deal funding rounds Brendan Keeler shared that a whole new healthcare system is quietly being created while we point fingers at each other. Now can everyone help me convince Tom that he really should join BP2 Health on The Reverse Mullet Healthcare Podcast to share this himself so everyone in the industry can hear it from him?!

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Alot of bad actors and a few good actors. $2.5T HC capital raised & $1T invested by PE in last decade. $31B in 2013 vs. $217B in 2021. We know the story. Misaligned incentives - unrealistic multiples, short-term profit focus, aggressive cost-cutting, unrealistic scaling, misunderstood market dynamics, just to name a few. However, our industry needs money. But our industry is more infrastructure asset class than tech start-up (James Nicholls gave me that epiphany). Mic drop on the lyrical genius of Alex Fair of MedStartr Ventures as he literally gives the whole story poetic justice as he reads HIS POEM on this "On The Road at VIVE" episode of The Reverse Mullet Healthcare Podcast w/BP2 Health. This is the perfect episode for a Friday afternoon! He and Paulo J Machado donned the actual reverse mullets and joined us back in February at #VIVE2024 to talk about the need for REAL change in healthcare, startup focus and investor expectations. It was one to remember and one that is in desperate need of a full-length follow-up episode. Give us a like and a watch or a listen https://lnkd.in/e4w4mjkv https://lnkd.in/egmK3kMB

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...with drinks...MedTech CEO-Only Event in Boston: Lifeblood has partnered with Goodwin and SVB to host this invite-only event on Tuesday, 30 April from 4:30 - 6:30pm at the Goodwin office in the Seaport District of Boston (4:00 - 8:00pm is the entire networking event). We are strictly limited to 74 people in the room, and as of this morning, only 7 spots are available with 67 CEOs already registered. Use the QR code below or email Yulia Yurevich at yulia@lifebloodcapital.com to register. The "point-guard" CEOs that will assist in guiding this open forum are world-class! Check out this line up... 1) CL Tian of Phiex Technologies 2) Bryan Lord of Pristine Surgical 3) James Biggins of Access Vascular, Inc. 4) Eman Namati of SpectraWAVE, Inc. 5) Martin Omid A. of Euphrates Vascular 6) Carolina Aguilar of INBRAIN Neuroelectronics 7) Andrew Glass of Vivasure Medical Ltd. 8) Scott Nelson of FastWave Medical ...and we have even more heavy hitters already register to be in this comfortable space with huge thanks to Martin Gomez and the Goodwin team as well as Pooja M. and the SVB team for sponsoring this initiative! This CEO-Only event is for "CURRENT" MedTech Startup CEOs in order to provide a unique experience for CEOs to support one another through guided conversations around capital raises, board management, building teams, and overall headaches that CEOs have to endure alone. There will be no investors, corporate strategics, or service providers in the room...so that the CEOs can let it all out and get the insight, help, and support needed to endure and thrive in 2024! To be clear, there is a process in order to be invited to this event. (1) You have to reach out to register, (2) YOU MUST BE A "CURRENT" MEDTECH CEO TO ATTEND - for all those who do not meet that simple (not so simple) criteria will be declined, (3) you have to fill out the registration application to be put on the waiting list, (4) you have to wait to be officially confirmed for your attendance, and (5) if you are confirmed, you are a no-show, and you wasted one of the 74 spots available in the room...you will be shamed. After this event, the Lifeblood will be attending DeviceTalks Boston 2024 hosted by Tom Salemi. If you aren't registered for this great event check it out: https://lnkd.in/e2NP-3Fw ...check out www.lifeblood.inc to learn more about why Lifeblood is The MedTech Industry's Global Recruitment and Advisory Firm. You want more? Why didn't you say so? Check out the MedTech Startup Podcast here https://lnkd.in/ejCMGCnu for engaging conversations with MedTech CEOs and investors on what it takes to build companies. With love for CEO-Only events and hitting the streets of Boston for a few days, Mister MedTech of Lifeblood www.lifeblood.inc

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Back in Vegas this week for the HLTH Inc. conference! Looking to connect with companies with well-differentiated and well designed solutions to improve access to care and diagnostics. Please comment below if you know a startup we should learn about! Designing for health is complex: you need to address clinical and financial needs, align professional and patient incentives and experiences. When you're part of a product team in a startup, you also need to understand why your product will stand out. You don't have the advantages of scale that incumbents have. Your product has to be best-in-class in some dimension. In some cases - and I think that's what makes Hexoskin so special - what your product delivers has the potential to change existing standards of care. New instruments allow us to redefine how we look at diseases, how we develop new therapies, how we provide care, how we improve access to care, for the benefit of patients. Hexoskin, Carré Technologies Inc., Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio), Southern California Biomedical Council (SoCalBio), BIOQuebec, MEDTEQ+, Montréal InVivo, HLTH Inc. #HLTH #HLTH2024 #digitalhealth #wearables #diagnostics #digitalbiomarkers #clinicaltrials #innovation #startup #vc #productdesign #bloodpressure #cardiovascular #respiratory

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Thank you Saul Marquez for being on "This Week in Pharmacy" --TWIRx In this insightful episode, we sit down with Saul Marquez, veteran of Medtronic and the visionary founder and CEO of Outcomes Rocket, a #podcast and company dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes and driving business success. Outcomes Rocket is a unique shared knowledge hub that brings together healthcare leaders, non-healthcare operators, and investors to discuss and solve pressing healthcare challenges. Key Discussion Points: About Outcomes Rocket: Saul explains how Outcomes Rocket started as a podcast and evolved into a company with a mission to connect healthcare leaders, share best practices, and break down industry silos. By focusing on collaboration and knowledge-sharing, Outcomes Rocket aims to transform healthcare into a more efficient and patient-centered industry. The Power of Connection: Saul dives into how Outcomes Rocket connects healthcare silos, enabling leaders to share knowledge and improve outcomes. By fostering collaboration across the industry, Outcomes Rocket helps bridge gaps and drive positive change in healthcare delivery. Join us as we explore how Saul Marquez and Outcomes Rocket are making a significant impact in the healthcare landscape by fostering a community of leaders committed to improving care and business success. Whether you're a healthcare professional, investor, or entrepreneur, this episode will provide valuable insights into the power of connection and collaboration in healthcare. YouTube Interview here: https://lnkd.in/eEXXRyTz

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On October 10th I'm diving deeper into what makes MedTech startup projects unique and difficult to manage with traditional methodology, as well as sharing my tips for avoiding the most common pitfalls in MedTech product development.

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Burnout is a reality for so many founders in medtech and healthtech, and it’s not talked about enough. I’ve seen firsthand how the weight of building and scaling a company can take its toll on even the most resilient leaders. That’s why solutions like fractional partnerships can be a game-changer – providing much-needed support without adding more to your plate. If you’re feeling the strain, know that you’re not alone, and there are ways to lighten your load. Feel free to reach out.

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Another great episode on Delta: HealthTech Innovators on Precision in Surgical Oncology with Navigation Sciences CEO Alan Lucas In this episode, Alan shared how Navigation Sciences is transforming cancer surgeries with cutting-edge technology for clear surgical margins. Their system uses 3D imaging and electromagnetic sensors to guide surgeons, preserving healthy tissue and improving outcomes, especially in lung cancer. Key take home points points: Solve Critical Problems: Address unmet healthcare needs with impactful solutions. Protect Intellectual Property: Secure strong patents to safeguard innovations and attract investors. Keep Operations Lean: Start small, minimize costs, and focus resources efficiently. Tailor Fundraising: Align funding strategies with business milestones and investor goals. Validate Clinically: Prove safety and efficacy early through clinical trials. A must-hear for those passionate about medtech innovation! Another great episode on Delta: HealthTech Innovators on Precision in Surgical Oncology with Navigation Sciences CEO Alan Lucas In this episode, Alan shared how Navigation Sciences is transforming cancer surgeries with cutting-edge technology for clear surgical margins. Their system uses 3D imaging and electromagnetic sensors to guide surgeons, preserving healthy tissue and improving outcomes, especially in lung cancer. Key take home points points: Solve Critical Problems: Address unmet healthcare needs with impactful solutions. Protect Intellectual Property: Secure strong patents to safeguard innovations and attract investors. Keep Operations Lean: Start small, minimize costs, and focus resources efficiently. Tailor Fundraising: Align funding strategies with business milestones and investor goals. Validate Clinically: Prove safety and efficacy early through clinical trials. A must-hear for those passionate about medtech innovation! https://lnkd.in/eSfRsACq #DeltaHealthTech #SurgicalOncology #NavigationSciences #CancerInnovation #PrecisionSurgery

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There is a new (substantial) market coming for video games and other forms of media that can positively impact mental health. The Digital Therapeutics Alliance has been working hard with congress to create new reimbursement pathways for media as medicine (Digital Therapeutics) - with a special focus on mental health. Reference Article: https://lnkd.in/gxWwQTks Many commercial video games have been proven to positively impact mental health. One of over 200 Reference Studies: https://lnkd.in/gSYzZKsi The Immersive Medicine Network - a collaborative ecosystem of game developers, experience designers and medical professionals has been created to help media professionals access this new market: The Immersive Medicine Network is building the following resources: - A resource website for creating media as medicine: www.immersivemedicine.org - A LinkedIn support group, the Immersive Medicine Network (IMN) where connections can be made and resources shared: https://lnkd.in/gW8M_vXN - A Podcast to help spread information (first episode coming this week) - A biweekly fireside chat, where questions can be asked and collaborative approaches developed. (Accessible through the IMN) Media holds the key to delivering vital mental and physical health interventions at scale. Now the industries must learn to combine capabilities to create the change we need to fight the #loneliness #stress #anxiety and #depression that are crippling our society. Please join us as we build this new world of Immersive Medicine, recognizing the therapeutic potential of media and bringing accessibility and affordability to mental health care. #videogames #immersivemedicine #powerofplay #stressrelief #resilience

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Function wants to reimagine healthcare. The preventative diagnostics platform closed a Series A investment led by a16z Bio + Health, bringing its total funding to $53M. Co-founded by functional medicine expert Mark Hyman, MD, the company leverages robust lab testing to improve longevity and healthspan. Taking a proactive approach, twice-annual 100-biomarker panels are reviewed by AI and human clinicians to spot and treat disease. Members can also opt for additional tests as needed. Operating in beta since April, Function Health counts 50K paying customers, a 200K person waitlist, and recently partnered with Equinox. Losing faith in traditional healthcare, more people are seeking preventative scans, alternative medicine, and longevity protocols. Democratizing diagnostics, Function wants to prioritize health over healthcare. 

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🎙️ Calling all #healthtech #entrepreneurs, especially those in the #femtech space! 🚀 Design is at the core of impactful products and successful companies. In our latest podcast episode, Theresa Neil, an award-winning #productdesign professional and founder of Guidea and Femovate by Guidea, dives deep into the world of product design in #healthtech. Key Takeaways: - The future of health tech: physical-digital convergence. - User constraints: a vital consideration for providers and consumers. - Strategies to evaluate competition and stand out in the market. - Insights on designing for inclusivity and accessibility. -What consumers should know about women's health products - Emerging trends in femtech for your next breakthrough idea! 💡 Whether you're an aspiring #founder or curious about women's health innovations, this episode offers valuable insights and real examples of products making a difference. Tune in to gain knowledge and inspiration! #healthcare #innovation #podcastepisode https://lnkd.in/gFk8i5iQ

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Excited for our webinar tonight: Investing in Healthcare Startups: An Angel Perspective When: tonight at 6 pm eastern Where: https://lnkd.in/dPUFNbhe We had had a couple last minute changes and I am very excited to have an engaging conversation with Thanasi Tsiodras, Dr. Shaun Kuan and Regina Prasad, MS. We will be discussing: 1. How to start investing in startups 2. Lessons from your winners and losers 3. What are some red flags in a startup 4. What is your diligence process like? 5. How do you get deal flow?  6. What is the ideal angel investor archetype? Who should invest in startups and who shouldn't. #healthcare #venturecapital #angelinvesting

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ASCs are booming and they face new opportunities AND challenges. "New Year, New Trends" the cover story in this month's #ASCFocus explores the hottest trends in ambulatory surgery centers, including: + The rise of orthopedics & cardiovascular procedures + The impact of surgical robots + The evolving role of private equity + Regulatory hurdles & staffing shortages This article includes expert insights from Donnelle Jageman, Tony Guth, Joshua Aaker, Dr David Weinstein, Karly Bruss, and Taryn Nasr. It's a not-to-miss essential read for anyone involved in ambulatory surgery. Ambulatory Surgery Center Association mmbers can access the article here: https://lnkd.in/ehqHdU58 #ASC #AmbulatorySurgery #HealthcareGrowth #Investment #MarketTrends  #HealthcareTrends #HealthcareChallenges #SurgeonsPerspective #Orthopedics #SurgicalRobots

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 “You’re both (weirdly) interested in laundromats. You two should meet.” That’s how Chris introduced me to my co-founder, Allister Chang, and that’s how Fabric Health began. As excited as we were about giving this concept a shot, we didn’t rush. We didn’t yet know what Fabric Health was – we knew laundromats + healthcare. At first, we weren’t doing much work in laundromats at all. Instead, we took a step back, workshopping the idea and talking to health plan leaders to really understand the issues. We needed to know what we were getting into and cover every angle. We were also clear on what progress looked like, and we didn’t start hiring until we felt ready. We defined success and knew when it was time to double down. It’s crucial to build an enduring, trusted relationship with your co-founder, learn your industry and customers’ pain points, and then start solving them. Every founder dreams of scaling, but that’s not how you start. Learn, then scale.

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🏥 Transforming Healthcare with Biobeat's Hospital-at-Home Solution 🏥 Hospital-at-Home programs, supported by advanced Remote Monitoring (RPM) tools like Biobeat's innovative solution, are proven to be safer, more cost-effective, and more efficient than traditional hospital care. Our Hospital-at-Home solution offers comprehensive monitoring of 13 medical vital signs, backed by FDA and CE approvals. Leveraging advanced health-AI platforms, Biobeat enhances patient outcomes with real-time early warning scores and data-driven decision support. These innovations ensure Hospital-at-Home programs can deliver hospital-level care, reduce complications, lower costs, and improve overall patient satisfaction. Our devices are utilized by Hospital-at-Home program providers like Best Buy Health, who have integrated Biobeat’s platform to improve continuous monitoring for chronic disease management in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Dive into this insightful blog to learn more about continuous monitoring in Hospital-at-Home programs: https://lnkd.in/etvPfryZ To learn more about Biobeat’s offerings click here: https://www.bio-beat.com/ #HealthcareInnovation #RemotePatientMonitoring #HospitalAtHome #Biobeat #bestbuyhealth #PatientCare #HealthTech #MedicalDevices

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