Lean Business Plan Competition for Entrepreneurs Seeking to Disrupt Healthcare Innovation to Solve Today’s Healthcare Issues
SCOTTSDALE, AZ–(Marketwired – Oct 15, 2013) –
As it begins its search for the up-and-coming healthcare IT entrepreneurs with the potential to showcase Arizona’s emergence as a global leader in health and wellness innovation, Tallwave today announced the appointment of a world-class board of advisors for its “High Tide” for Healthcare IT lean business plan startup competition. Tallwave is known for its ability to build value for startups and help them grow rapidly, while minimizing risk for entrepreneurs and their investors.
Hailing from top research institutions, global healthcare brands, well-funded start-ups and healthcare investors, the advisory board is tasked with assisting Tallwave in selecting healthcare innovations that solve immediate problems for the healthcare industry. In addition, the board will advise these entrepreneurs on best practices for building healthcare businesses from the ground up with the knowledge and culture essential to drive results in this ever changing and highly regulated sector.
“These accomplished professionals bring a wealth of experience and valuable perspective to the Tallwave High Tide for Healthcare IT program,” said Donna Kent, senior vice president, Venture Development for Tallwave. “We created this advisory board and selected the participants because of their interests in providing market access through direct customer and partner relationships, potentially acquiring the companies that appeal to a specific need they have, or even co-investing in promising technologies they discover through the program. Our advisors provide invaluable subject matter expertise and potential commercial opportunities to the entrepreneurs. This is a hallmark to our program and what sets High Tide apart from basic pitch and mentor programs.”
The members of the board of advisors include:
Susan Cordts, Senior Vice President, Traditional Care, Curo Healthcare Solutions – A 2010 recipient of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Private Sector Award, Susan has over 25 years of experience in healthcare management including ten years as CEO of Adaptive Technologies. In her current role at Curo Healthcare Solutions, she assists in directing a significant amount of resources towards geriatric services and end-of-life care.
David Higginson, CIO, Phoenix Children’s Hospital – In addition to directing information technology at large children’s hospitals for over 15 years, David is a nationally recognized innovator and entrepreneur having developed and implemented over 600 systems in healthcare entities and started a successful for-profit software company which currently markets over 20 products in the Meditech and Lawson community. David is an active member of national Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) and sits on several state committees for health information exchange and standards development.
Robert Hoyt – Healthcare Solutions Executive for North America IBM Software Group – Bob is in his third decade of healthcare industry experience. The first 20 years were invested in various roles within the Industry from programming to CEO of a Direct Delivery company delivering primary care across the country. Bob currently works with IBM customers across North America, defining the technology enablement required to leverage business opportunities generated by the healthcare transformation.
Heidi Jannenga, COO, WebPT – Heidi is the co-founder of WebPT, the leading electronic medical records solution for rehab therapists. As Chief Operating Officer, Heidi leads the product strategy and oversees the WebPT brand vision. She brings with her more than 15 years of experience as a physical therapist and clinic director, and a passion for healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship. WebPT was recently named to the Inc. 500, an elite list of the nation’s fastest growing companies.
John Julian, President & CEO, NextCare – John has over 20 years of experience successfully operating a wide range of health care services companies including medical equipment, respiratory services, pharmaceuticals, infusion therapy and urgent care. In addition, he has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions.
Travis Leach, Ballard Spahr – As a practicing attorney, Travis focuses on corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on public offerings, private placements, corporate governance matters, Sarbanes-Oxley and SEC compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. He represents public companies as well as sports and entertainment clients and has been involved in more than $3 billion in corporate transactions, including $250 million in endorsement deals negotiated with Fortune 500 corporations.
Dr. Keith Lindor, Executive Vice Provost and Dean College of Health Solutions, ASU – Dr. Lindor served as the Dean of the Mayo Medical School from 2005-2011 where he was also a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Lindor’s interests include cholestatic liver diseases in adults, particularly primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis as well as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The focus of his research work is primarily on clinical trials and means of optimizing the medical management of patients with these disorders.
David Schwartz, Office of Business Development, Mayo Clinic – David’s position within Mayo Clinic offers him a unique vantage point. Charged with evaluating, designing and launching strategic ventures, his focus ranges from partnerships to product/service development to supporting an array of broad strategic initiatives. David is also focused on a mixture of enterprise and Arizona-centric opportunities for Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Ed Staren, President and CEO of Medicine and Science at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) & President and CEO, Western Regional Medical Center – An experienced, renowned surgical oncologist, Dr. Staren previously served as senior vice president for Clinical Affairs and chief medical officer for CTCA. Before joining CTCA in 2005, Dr. Staren was senior attending surgeon at the Medical College Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, as well as attending surgeon at both St. Luke’s Hospital and Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center.
Marilyn Teplitz, Founder, CEO, MGT Associates – Marilyn leads an international management consultancy, providing product and strategic business consulting to help B2B technology companies enter new markets, extend life of existing products, and define next release product roadmaps. She is focused on healthcare, payers, medical devices, biotech, high tech and software.
John Mascarenas, Director, Intel Capital – John joined Intel in 1980 and Intel Capital in 1998 where his focus has included mobility/wireless, embedded, networking and communications. Prior to Intel Capital, he held various positions in engineering, marketing, services and sales. John was involved in several Intel technology ventures in Networking Services, Digital Imaging, Cable and Security. John holds industrial patents in Digital Imaging. He is a Board Observer in Atempo, Go Ahead, Monosphere, Nirvanix, Wasabi Systems and virtualLogix.
“It’s exciting to be a part of an advisory board that has the opportunity to select and further develop smart innovation with the potential to transform the healthcare industry,” said John Jullian, president & CEO, NextCare. “NextCare likes Tallwave’s approach to reducing risk for investors and commercial partners when they’re evaluating investment, acquisition and market development opportunities. Having a view into thoroughly vetted and validated ideas, concepts and early-stage companies gives us a leg up in our own business and corporate development efforts. There is real value in that for us.”
About Tallwave:
Tallwave is a commercializor.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, with offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the company creates and maximizes commercial success and shareholder value for entrepreneurs and investors by validating, scaling and managing early-stage and growth ventures with a hands-on approach.
The combination of Tallwave’s proprietary lean Business Blueprint™ system for product and company validation, and go to market strategy; its unique Operator Model™ for resource development and management, and the access to pre-seed through series A capital Tallwave makes available, sets the company apart from incubators, accelerators and venture capital firms whose business models limit the range of resources they provide.
For more information about Tallwave, visit www.tallwave.com.