News Room

In an uncertain political environment, medical venture capitalists are interested in technologies that could weather policy shifts, with the assumption that certain trends are here to stay- like efforts to lower costs, put patients in charge of their care, and fight rising drug prices.

Rob Coppedge has joined the Alexa Diabetes Challenge judging panel. On September 25th, five finalists will present prototypes of their Amazon voice-enabled solutions, competing for a $125,000 grand prize.

There’s no argument that our health care system demands fixing. However, Digital Health entrepreneurs have learned some expensive lessons in recent years. Given the benefit of these lessons- outlined in this article, with some suggested adjustments for the future- we now need to rededicate ourselves to the fundamentals of building great, lasting companies in our unique industry.

Cambia Health Solutions has launched a pilot program with GNS Healthcare, leveraging the data-analysis capabilities that GNS offers to help in forecasting emerging illnesses and deploying resources. The goal is to better manage chronic diseases and improve the overall health of their members.

Echo Health Ventures has participated in Series A financing for Circulation, a Boston, Massachusetts-based company specializing in non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). Circulation is a new way to book NEMT services with the benefit of HIPAA compliance; it can seamlessly be integrated with healthcare systems as well as both established and on-demand vendors. CEO Robin Heffernan states that Circulation can significantly increase patient satisfaction rates while simultaneously cutting ride costs by up to 70 percent.

As reported in the Wall Street Journal Pro, while "Consumers view high drug prices with outrage, venture capitalists see them as an opportunity". Startups are working to make costs more manageable, bring more transparency to drug pricing, and provide patient tools to ensure that medications are used effectively. This innovative thinking garners attention from investors. “The innovation economy [has] to play a big role in addressing the challenge,” according to Rob Coppedge, CEO of Echo Health Ventures.

Upfront Healthcare Services, a Chicago healthtech startup that helps physician practices get smarter about their scheduling, announced Thursday that it has raised a $5.6 million Series A round of funding to support growth and accelerate its product development cycle. Nashville Capital Network led the round, in which Echo Health Ventures, Hyde Park Venture Partners and Martin Venture participated. Upfront uses data science to analyze visits at large physician practices to understand how scheduling and logistics can be improved to make the practice more effective and profitable.

This month Echo Health Ventures CEO Rob Coppedge presented to the Harvard Business School Healthcare Alumni Association about the latest happenings in the health care venture funding market, and what strategic investors can offer companies looking to make health care better for people. Rob shared his view on digital health (that it’s dead), on health care (it’s very complicated for entrepreneurs), and offered his perspective on the opportunities that lie ahead for entrepreneurs and strategic investors. He also offered insight into the challenges entrepreneurs face when working with large health plans, and shared the state of health care venture moving into 2018 (hint: AI, behavioral health and HSA play big).

Echo Health Ventures welcomes health care industry leader Lew Trowbridge to its Advisory Board. In this role, Trowbridge will work closely with the Echo Health Ventures team to build EHV's portfolio of new investments and support the growth of existing portfolio companies. As former President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, Trowbridge has extensive experience in building high-value collaborations among Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. "His perspective is worth gold to entrepreneurs. Our Advisory Board is set up to allow our team and our portfolio companies access to just the sort of unique expertise Lew brings to the table," said Echo Health Ventures President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Coppedge.

Echo Health Ventures CEO Rob Coppedge shares tips for entrepreneurs partnering with health plans. A long-term vision and stage-agnostic model are good indicators for future success!

HIT Consultant assesses the current state of digital health care investing, and finds it lacking. EHV’s Matt Karls gives insights on how Echo’s strategic investing model offers a successful approach to building new companies that leverage technological innovation to transform the health care system.

The Wall Street Journal reports that health systems and insurers are pursuing startups in an effort to find innovative technologies that will improve medical care and further the evolution of the health care industry. Rob Coppedge of Echo Health Ventures speaks to the strategic approach necessary for successful investment.

Echo Health Ventures (EHV) is pleased to announce that John Park has joined the company as Managing Director of the Market Development team. John will lead the EHV Market Development team to drive and create high-value relationships between the EHV portfolio and parent companies. By breaking down the barriers between health care innovation and large health care enterprises, EHV's Market Development team is a key part of the company's promise to drive innovation to scale and create sustainable value for health care.

Rob Coppedge, chief executive officer of Echo Health Ventures, provides insight into what we're likely to see in health care technology investments in the near future. Tools that offer convenience, cost transparency, and personalized offerings are three main targets.

Avalon Healthcare Solutions announces its latest capital investment administered by Echo Health Ventures to enhance Avalon’s comprehensive laboratory benefits management solution.

Echo Health Ventures CEO Rob Coppedge shares predictions for the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2017, and the benefits of a long-term view on investment.

Echo Health Ventures CEO Rob Coppedge identifies four trends to follow this year in a transforming, uncertain market.

With the digital health investment sector continuing to grow steadily, half of all early stage digital health startups still fail within two years of launch. Echo Health Ventures is innovating with a new model.