Welcome back to the Digital Health Heavyweights hosted by Norm Volsky!

In Episode 30, we are joined by Matt Herman, a seasoned executive in healthcare investing, who shares his insights and experiences. He discusses his inspiration for entering healthcare with a finance background and his role at Ascension Ventures. Matt highlights the success of the model and the factors that contribute to achieving outsized financial returns. He also talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare sector and how his team navigated the challenges during that time. Matt shares his advice for founders raising funds and discusses the future of venture firms in the healthcare space. He also shares his personal strategies for managing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Takeaways:
💰 Combining a love for mission and business can be achieved through healthcare venture investing.

🤝Building a community and fostering relationships with health systems can provide strategic value beyond capital investment.

⤴ Early success is critical in building credibility and attracting investors.

💫Differentiated models and shared services can set venture firms apart and provide additional value to portfolio companies.

🏋️‍♂️Investing in founders with grit, resilience, and an openness to new ideas is key to success.

Chapters:
00:00
Introduction and Background
01:27
Inspiration to Enter Healthcare
05:04
Success of the Model
07:15
Navigating the Diverse Landscape of Startups
08:38
Achieving Outsized Financial Returns
09:50
Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Sector
11:26
Onboarding LPs
14:32
Delivering Strategic Value to Health Systems
15:59
Notable Investments and Success Stories
19:08
Identifying Red Flags in Founders
23:05
Bullish on Emerging Trends and Technologies
25:26
Differentiating Venture Firms in the Healthcare Space
28:38
Adding Value Post-Investment
32:17
Advice for Founders Raising Funds
35:30
Venture Firms of the Future
40:30
Managing Stress and De-Stressing
41:52
Healthy Recipes and Eating Habits

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