14 startups emerge from Rock Health
From toothbrushes that do more than brush teeth to mobile platforms that help users transition from the hospital to the home or the home to the assisted living, 14 entrepreneurs with innovative digital health ideas have been named to Rock Health's most recent graduating class.
The digital health startup incubator unveiled its latest success stories at its fourth annual Demo Day on Feb. 20 at the UCSF campus in San Francisco. Each company has been given strategic and operational support, mentorship, access to office space and a network of partners and an elective $100,000 investment.
[See also: Rock Health revs up healthcare startups.]
"The companies presenting at Demo Day exemplify the ongoing transformation of our healthcare system through the use of technology," Rock Health officials said in a media release. "Rock Health's fourth class of 14 digital health startups are working across the industry -- with hospitals (and) payers, and directly with consumers to make meaningful change in an industry that is ripe for innovation. Healthcare is one of the last sectors in our economy to undergo a technology-based transformation and Demo Day is a showcase of this shift."
The graduating startups are:
- Beam Technologies, which has developed a "smart toothbrush" that monitors oral hygiene and habits and transmits that data to a smartphone app.
- Benefitter, which offers tools to help employers manage healthcare issues with their employees.
- CliniCast, whose ARTO solutions help providers identify high-risk patients and develop appropriate care management programs.
- Eligible, which has developed a platform to streamline insurance eligibility information for physicians and their patients.
- Kit Check, which inventories code trays, OR kits, emergency boxes and other kits within seconds to streamline the clinical process and reduce medical errors.
- LabDoor, which offers instant information on dietary and pharmaceutical products, targeting questions of effectiveness, safety and cost.
- Mango Health, which has developed a personal health app focusing on medication reminders and interactions.
- Moxe Health, whose Triage.me and Navigation System products help users, providers and payers coordinate access to healthcare.
- OpenPlacement, which has developed a platform that enables consumers and providers to research and manage continuing care services.
- SuperBetter, which has developed an app that helps consumers reach health goals through continued engagement.
- Wellframe, which has developed mHealth tools to better manage the transition from a healthcare setting to the home.
- Wello, which has developed a two-way video platform to connect users with their fitness coaches or trainers.
- Wildflower Health, which combined predictive analytics and a mobile platform to help improve prenatal care.
- Zipongo, which helps employers work with employees on health food incentives and personalized meal plans.
According to Rock Health officials, the 14 startups have raised almost $14 million as of this month.
Since its inception in 2010, Rock Health has received more than 1,500 startup applications and helped launch 49 digital health companies, all of which have combined to raise more than $43 million in funding, for an average of about $900,000 per startup. Investors include Felicis Ventures, Floodgate, Founders Collective, General Catalyst Partners, Khosla Ventures, NEA, True Ventures, US Venture Partners and angel investors Esther Dyson, Caterina Fake, Yuri Milner, Mark Pincus and Keith Rabois.
[See also: Business is Booming in the World of HIT Start Ups.]
Rock Health's partners include Aberdare Ventures, Accel Partners, Fenwick & West, GE, Genentech, Harvard Medical School, Kaiser Permanente, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Mayo Clinic, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Montreux Equity Partners, NEA, Qualcomm Life, Quest Diagnostics, Silicon Valley Bank, UnitedHealth Group and UCSF.