Highlights: Celebrating Entrepreneurship and Health Tech Innovation

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October isn’t over yet, but we’ve already had a jam-packed month full of exciting events and opportunities for entrepreneurs in the health tech space! As we reflect on these past few weeks, let’s dive into some of the major highlights and get you up to speed on what’s coming next.

September Quarterly Event

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On September 26, 2024, Health Tech Idaho hosted its quarterly event at Hillfort Farm, featuring valuable discussions on fundraising strategies from Tiam Rastegar (Trailhead) and Brian Jorgenson (Capital 11). The event also spotlighted semifinalists from Boise Entrepreneur Week’s food track Trailmix competition, offering them a platform to showcase their products. Attendees gained entrepreneurial insights from Clay Young, Founder of SeekingSimple,. The evening concluded with networking over drinks and light bites.

Boise Entrepreneur Week: Health Tech in the Spotlight

We kicked off the month by celebrating innovation at Boise Entrepreneur Week, which ran from September 30 to October 4, 2024. This annual event is the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in Idaho, bringing together innovators, investors, and industry leaders. It’s all about fostering collaboration and propelling the next generation of entrepreneurs toward success.

For our health tech enthusiasts, the Health Tech Track delivered valuable insights and discussions through engaging panels and sessions:

Innovating Healthcare: A Fireside Chat on Disrupting the Status Quo

We started with a fireside chat that tackled the complexities of healthcare. Our expert speakers, Jason Hudson (System Analyst at St. Luke’s and Health Tech Idaho co-founder) and Jenni Gudapati (CEO of Amethyst Solutions Consulting), dug deep into the emerging technologies disrupting the healthcare system, value-based care, and the potential for payment reform. The session was full of thought-provoking conversation, topped off with an interactive audience Q&A.

Health Tech War Stories: Turning Points and Triumphs

In this panel discussion, we heard inspiring tales from entrepreneurs who’ve navigated the tough moments that shaped their careers. Our panelists, including Ashley Crafton (CEO of Galena Innovations), Derek Baird (CEO of Switchboard Health), Priya Kanaparti (Co-Founder of Carehandler), and Tyler Hemsley (CEO of Effectiv), opened up about their journeys and offered tips on staying resilient during difficult times. The panel was a hit, leaving the audience feeling energized and inspired.

The Role of User Experience in Healthcare

Healthcare’s complexity creates opportunities for entrepreneurs, and Nadyne Richmond (Head of Design and Research at RapidAI) shared how improving user experience (UX) can lead to game-changing innovations in healthcare. This keynote covered everything from leveraging AI for clinical decision-making to designing user-centric solutions that make healthcare more accessible.

Idaho Companies Trailblazing Digital Health for the Nation

Our final session highlighted Idaho’s leadership in digital health. Moderated by Molly Zimmer (Health Tech Idaho co-founder and leader of St. Luke’s Health System’s Emerging Technologies), the panel explored the role of interoperability in healthcare, including a discussion of how companies like Kno2, Yardi, and Switchboard Health, are positioning Idaho as a national leader. The panel featured experts like Jon Elwell (CEO of Kno2), Fil Southerland (Director of Healthcare Solutions at Yardi), and Derek Baird (Co-Founder and CEO of Switchboard Health), who shared their insights into the future of digital health and its potential to revolutionize care delivery.

Health Tech Challenge: Innovation in Action

Another key event during BEW was the Health Tech Challenge Kickoff in partnership with Boise State University’s Venture College and St. Luke’s Health System. This innovative competition flips the traditional pitch format, encouraging participants to tackle real-world problem statements from Idaho’s health, med, and biotech sectors. Teams of students are working on solutions through research, customer discovery, and validation—all leading up to the finals on October 29! Learn more about the challenges and details of this event HERE!

Monthly Networking & Coffee Event

Of course, we can’t forget our Monthly Networking and Coffee event, where we continue to foster connections between health tech entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and enthusiasts. These laid-back gatherings offer a perfect opportunity to share ideas, explore partnerships, and hear from experts in the field. If you missed this month’s event, don’t worry—there’s more to come!

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events

Health Tech Idaho Networking & Coffee – Our next networking event is coming up soon. Our next one is November 14th 10-11 AM at The District. This is a casual yet impactful way to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and industry leaders! Register today to let us know if you’re planning on attending or want more information!

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Health Tech Idaho Quarterly Event – Mark your calendars for our December 2024 Quarterly Event, featuring an in-depth look at prototyping and reimbursement strategies for health tech startups. This event will take place on 12/12 at 12 PM at the Meridian unBound Library! Register today for this free lunch and learn event!

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Help Us Shape 2025

As we look toward the future, we’re excited to plan our 2025 event and blog schedule, and we want to hear from you! Share your thoughts by participating in our survey here to help us create content that matters most to you and your business.

Stay connected, stay inspired, and we’ll see you at the next event!

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