19 - 22 Oct 2025 | Las Vegas

Built to Last Startups

About this Session:

Unlike typical tech startups, healthcare founders face the reality that valuation isn't everything, survival and sustained growth matter more than inflated metrics. The decision of when to dilute equity becomes particularly crucial, as healthcare ventures often require substantial capital for clinical trials, regulatory approval, and market penetration, yet founders must preserve enough ownership to maintain control through extended timelines. Hiring decisions carry additional weight, as specialized talent in healthcare is both scarce and expensive, making strategic team building essential. In this environment, venture capitalists prioritize agility and adaptability over rapid scaling, understanding that healthcare innovations require patience, regulatory compliance, and the ability to pivot when faced with clinical setbacks or changing market dynamics. Success in healthcare entrepreneurship depends on founders who can balance financial prudence with strategic vision while maintaining the flexibility to navigate an industry where quick wins are unlikely and pivots are almost certain.