Focus on reducing health bias and equity gaps
Solutions supporting historically marginalized communities facing health challenges and inequities.
LIFT: Accelerating Equitable Health Innovation 2024
Supporting entrepreneurs building solutions that address disparities in the social drivers of health
About the Program
LIFT: Accelerating Equitable Health Innovation will work with ten startups advancing health equity across the US. This accelerator program will focus on supporting solutions that address disparities in the social drivers of health for historically marginalized communities.
This program is in collaboration with the Deloitte* Health Equity Institute (DHEI) and with support from Impact Ventures by Johnson & Johnson Foundation.
Meet the Cohort
Effective to Great Education
Effective to Great Education (Washington, DC) makes wellness the foundation of learning with our school communities through emerging technology solutions that advance education equity and social impact.
Problem Statement
The United States has the worst income-related health disparities compared to similarly wealthy nations, with income inequality often drawn along racial lines . The CDC reports that racial and ethnic minority groups suffer from elevated rates of illness and mortality across various health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease, compared to their white counterpart.
LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and rural residents also experience significant health disparities . Factors such as physical location, income, education, and access to healthcare contribute to these disparities . While government, nonprofits, and corporate healthcare organizations can play an important role, substantial gaps persist . Early-stage healthcare innovation is generally seen as a potential solution to reach vulnerable populations and address specific health challenges directly.
Eligibility
Eligible startups must have:
Legal incorporation as a for-profit entity.
Headquartered and with operations in the United States.
Market-based solution that tackles the challenges above for communities in the US.
Have a minimum viable product (MVP), and raised less than USD 1.5M in equity.
Have at least one full-time founder based in the US.
Have meaningful customer or business validation (not limited to revenue, it can also be successful pilot studies, number of users, and/or strategic partnerships).
What are we looking for?
Focus on building trust in underserved communities
Solutions engaging and strengthening communities.
Cultural and behavioral sensitivity
Solutions that use a creative, cultural, and behavioral lens.
Lived experience
Founders who are building solutions for challenges they have experienced or communities from which they come.
Benefits startups will receive:
Mentorship
Mentorship from potential strategic partners, customers, founders, prominent US investors, and business leaders.
Connections & Exposure
Access to a diverse and inclusive network of mentors and founders within healthcare and healthtech. Exposure on Village Capital’s program website and other communications collateral.
Financial Analysis & Support
1:1 coaching with an investment analyst focused on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and on using financial metrics to drive both their business and investor diligence.
Continued Learning
Participate in mock board meetings with representatives from enterprise healthcare organizations, corporations, and investors that can help their organization scale.
Events
Interactive virtual workshops tailored to help your company identify early milestones and prepare them for your next round of capital (if relevant), and one in-person program summit.
Funding
All startups will receive a USD 10K non dilutive grant.
Village Capital's Program Advisory Board
Abner Mason
Founder & CEO, SameSky Health
Ali Malik
Head of New Markets & Implementation, Cityblock Health
Allyson Plosko
Partner, Springtime Ventures
Christine Brocato
System VP, Strategic Innovation, CommonSpirit Health
Denise Bronner
Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
Emily Zhen
Principal, Zeal Capital Partners
Gregor Hoffman
Co-Leader, CoreAngels Mental Health and Wellbeing
Hui Cheng
Investor, Town Hall Ventures
Program Timeline
April 5, 2024
Applications open
May 13, 2024
Applications close
June 17, 2024
Cohort announced
June to September, 2024
Virtual Workshops & In-Person Program Summit
Virtual Workshop Week 1: June 17 to 21, 2024
Virtual Monthly Check-In: July 24 to 26, 2024
Virtual Monthly Check-In: August 13 to 15, 2024
Virtual Monthly Check-In: September 10 to 11, 2024
In-Person Program Summit: September 23 to 27, 2024
About the Deloitte Health Equity Institute
Recognizing the imperative for immediate and sustained effort and grounded in Deloitte’s acknowledgment of racism as a public health crisis, Deloitte established the Deloitte Health Equity Institute (DHEI) in spring 2021. DHEI is dedicated to creating public good through community collaboration and investment, data and analytics, and knowledge development. DHEI builds on Deloitte’s commitment to advance health equity, informed by work with clients, a decade of impact made by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, and our perspective on how life sciences and health care organizations can activate health equity. The DHEI reinforces Deloitte’s purpose of making a positive, enduring impact that matters. By collaborating with local and national organizations, DHEI is a catalyst, helping advance health equity at scale. Our initiatives aim to help everyone achieve their full potential in all aspects of health and well-being, building a more equitable society for all.
Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about their global network of member firms.
Latest News
Village Capital Opens Applications for LIFT: Accelerating Equitable Health Innovation
Washington, DC (April 5, 2024) – Village Capital, in collaboration with the Deloitte Health Equity Institute (DHEI) and with support from Impact Ventures by Johnson & Johnson Foundation, is launching a call for applications for the “LIFT: Accelerating Equitable Health Innovation” accelerator.