In the run-up to the MedCity INVEST conference showcasing healthcare innovation, investment and startups, we’re casting a spotlight on some of the healthcare investor judges taking part in the INVEST Pitch Perfect contest. The conference is scheduled for May 21-22 at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago.
David Kereiakes, managing partner with Windham Venture Partners, is a judge for the devices and diagnostics pitch track focused on cardiology. In his career, he has led or co-led more than $250 million in private placements including investments in Bolder Surgical (sold), Veran Medical (sold), TissueTech (sold), Advanced Practice Strategies (sold), SurgiQuest (sold), TailorMed, MacroHealth, OrthAlign, and NICO Corporation. Additionally, David currently serves on the Board of Directors of DexCare, Wildflower Health, and AVIA Health.
He shared his perspective of the investment landscape in response to emailed questions.
Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
What is your investment strategy? How has it changed in recent years?
Windham is a leading health tech venture capital firm focused on enabling the convergence of digital health and medical technologies in innovative ways that improve clinical outcomes, increase access to quality healthcare, and overcome inefficiencies throughout the healthcare ecosystem. Windham has honed this strategy over decades of successfully investing in both digital health and medical devices, being on the forefront of enabling and accelerating the convergence of both.
How do you see the investment landscape changing?
Innovation heavily relies on the functioning of a delicate ecosystem. There are always periods of abundance and scarcity. However, in recent years the pendulum has swung more aggressively forcing the ecosystem out of balance. Investors and entrepreneurs have shifted strategies toward capital preservation rather than growth. We’ve witnessed many of our investor colleagues turn attention toward portfolio management rather than new investments. While challenging for all, these periods of scarcity do eventually pass due to the reliance on external innovation by well-capitalized strategics instead of their internal R&D. For those who remain disciplined these cycles do provide the strongest investment returns and greatest advancements in innovation.
David Kereiakes
Have any startups/healthcare organizations changed your mind about what’s possible in healthcare?
We are always in awe that we’re able to partner with so many visionaries helping to advance innovations within healthcare. Faced with endless challenges plaguing our healthcare system, we never question what is possible, but rather work relentlessly to enable game changing ideas and technologies to advance how care is delivered for all.
What advice do you have for healthcare startups?
Focus on what you can control, succinctly communicate your vision so that others can follow you, and trust in a team that challenges what is perceived to be impossible.
Ultimately, believe in what you do, as you have the opportunity more than any other industry, to literally and figuratively change lives for the better.
Click here to register for MedCity INVEST.
Picture: Feodora Chiosea, Getty Images
