Episodes

  • Why Do So Many HealthTech Startups Stall After Early Traction with Dirk Schaparel

    Why Do So Many HealthTech Startups Stall After Early Traction with Dirk Schaparel
    Jan 7 2026
    Why do so many healthtech startups gain early traction… and then suddenly stall?It’s usually not the tech. It’s not the vision. And it’s rarely a lack of effort.In this episode, I’m joined by Dirk Schapeler, President of Niterra Ventures—the venture arm of Niterra, a $5B Japanese technology company operating globally across automotive, medical, and industrial products. Dirk also serves as a board member at Arcondis Group, where he supports innovation strategy and global expansion. At HLTH, I sat down with Dirk to talk about what actually determines whether a healthcare company survives long enough to matter—especially in regulated, capital-intensive spaces like medtech, remote care, and diagnostics.If you’ve proven demand but growth feels harder than it should, this conversation is for you.This wasn’t a hype-filled conversation about AI buzzwords.It was a grounded discussion about patience, leadership evolution, and why healthcare scale is less about speed and more about systems, people, and partnerships.If you’re building in healthcare and wondering why momentum feels harder than it should… this episode will hit close to home.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why some of the most powerful healthcare innovations come from outside healthcareWhat investors really look for when regulation and reimbursement are unavoidableHow to think about unmet need vs. “interesting” ideas that won’t scaleWhy leadership evolution, not just vision, determines whether companies break through growth ceilingsHow combining technologies and partners creates defensibility most startups missWhat founders underestimate about human capital in regulated marketsEpisode Timeline:00:00:00 – Why health tech stalls after early wins00:04:04 – Why Japanese innovation looks at the U.S. market00:07:02 – Cold plasma and the future of wound care00:09:40 – Why wound care hasn’t changed in decades00:11:27 – Combining therapies, not selling tools00:13:05 – What investors really look for00:15:31 – Patience, quality, and long-term thinking00:18:08 – When founders hit the scaling wall00:21:09 – Power of global collaboration00:25:00 – The hard truth about regulated healthcare00:27:03 – How to connect with Niterra Ventures🎧 Related Episodes You’ll LoveWhy Most HealthTech Solutions Fail: The Hidden Gap Between Innovation and Implementation – This episode digs into the common pitfalls that healthtech founders face (particularly in scaling and market fit).Is Your Startup Built on Swiss Cheese? with George Pappas – A strong fit because it explores structural weaknesses in startups (teams, roles, funding) that align directly with what we unpacked with MyPhuong.What Traction Signals Investors Say Yes To – Especially relevant for founders looking for their first backers, this episode zeroes in on what investors are actually looking for.Want to Keep Growing Without Worrying About Your Runway?Here are 3 ways we can help you today:🎤 Earn Your HealthTech Impact Award Are you creating significant impact in digital health, diagnostics, med devices, biotech, mental health or women's health space? If so, nominate your company for the 2026 HealthTech Impact Award today at HealthTechImpactAward.com📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com 🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve BuiltNot every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Why Sports & Health Tech Founders Miss Their Next Round

    Why Sports & Health Tech Founders Miss Their Next Round
    Dec 31 2025

    How do top investors decide where to put their millions?


    Hint: It’s not just about your pitch deck.


    Raising capital isn’t just about vision—it’s about proving you have the team, traction, and exit potential to make your venture worth the risk.


    Thomas Rudy has reviewed over 1,500 startups a year, and in this episode, he reveals what separates the YESes from the NOs.


    If you've ever felt unsure whether you’re “venture-backable,” this episode will help you reflect on the gaps holding you back—and give you the clarity to fill them with confidence.


    You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to position your company for investor alignment—from defining scalability the VC way, to building a team that de-risks execution, to reverse engineering your exit potential.


    Most startups VCs pass on aren’t bad—they just aren’t venture-scale. In this candid conversation, you’ll learn how to be brutally honest about where your startup stands and what to do next.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ What VCs really mean when they say “you’re not scalable yet”

    ✔️ The critical difference between strategic board titles vs execution-ready teams

    ✔️ Why having “80% of funds go to tech” isn’t enough—and what to say instead

    ✔️ How to reverse engineer your exit using revenue, EBITDA, and industry multiples

    ✔️ Why some founders should skip VC entirely—and still win big


    Related Episodes You’ll Love


    Why Most HealthTech Solutions Fail: The Hidden Gap Between Innovation and Implementation – This episode digs into the common pitfalls that healthtech founders face (particularly in scaling and market fit).


    Is Your Startup Built on Swiss Cheese? with George Pappas – A strong fit because it explores structural weaknesses in startups (teams, roles, funding) that align directly with what we unpacked with MyPhuong.


    What Traction Signals Investors Say Yes To – Especially relevant for founders looking for their first backers, this episode zeroes in on what investors are actually looking for.


    Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?


    Here are 3 ways we can help you today:


    Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge


    Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: 👉 PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina


    Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready


    Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com


    Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built


    Apply for a contestant spot at 👉 PulsePointPath.com/Pitch-Application and pitch to active investors and decision-makers in your niche.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • How Smart Founders Raise Capital Without a Final Product

    How Smart Founders Raise Capital Without a Final Product
    Dec 24 2025
    If you’re a femtech founder building in silence and still waiting for real traction—this episode is your wake-up call. The funding isn’t always the problem. It’s the missing ecosystem.Dr. MyPhuong Le went from struggling in academic research to co-founding a manufacturing company and now leads a thriving innovation hub in San Diego.Together, we unpacked what early-stage founders really need beyond funding: role clarity, uncomfortable conversations, and teams that align in mission—not just skillsets.You’ll hear how women founders in health tech are hitting investor roadblocks—not because of poor solutions, but because too many rooms still treat menstrual health and menopause like taboo topics. MyPhuong shares how breaking that silence can shift capital, culture, and credibility.In this episode, you’ll learn:🔶 Why building alone is one of the most dangerous things founders can do🔶 What roles truly matter in your founding team (hint: it’s not just tech)🔶 How femtech founders can win support—even when investors are uncomfortable🔶 Why diverse voices in health tech are finally gaining traction, and how to be part of it🔶 A 3-part co-founder framework to scale without burning outDr. MyPhuong Le will be hosting the Global Innovation in Women’s Health Pitch Showcase 2026, with Sabrina Runbeck serving as a judge—especially for founders heading to JPM 2026. This in-person event brings together innovators, investors, and leaders advancing women’s health.📅 January 12, 2026 | 1:30–8:00 PM PST📍 The Women’s Building, San Francisco, CA🎟 Exclusive listener offer: Get 20% off registrationUse code WMNSHLTH20Register here: 👉 https://eventship.com/event/01-12-26-global-innovation-in-women-s-health-pitch-showcaseLearn more about the agenda: 👉 https://www.aquillius.com/event/global-innovation-in-womens-health-pitch-showcaseTimestamps:00:04:07 – Dr. MyPhuong Le's journey: From PhD scientist to venture builder 00:07:16 – Breaking down silos: Why scientists, engineers, and software teams must collaborate 00:09:40 – The team commitment problem: Big names vs. real integration 00:14:32 – Why technical founders aren't trained to run businesses 00:17:06 – The three essential roles: Visionary, operator, and promoter 00:18:39 – Women's health funding: Breaking through uncomfortable conversations 00:20:23 – Why women's health matters: Supporting the whole family ecosystem 00:24:38 – The founder trap: When you stop doing what you love 00:28:20 – 10x is easier than 2x: Building sustainable foundations from day one 00:30:01 – E-Myth principle: Employee vs. stakeholder vs. manager mindset 00:31:40 – Aquillius funding focus: Pre-seed and seed stage companies 00:32:21 – Why physical innovation hubs matter for hardware startups00:35:41 – Final thoughts and key takeaways of the episodeWant to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?Here are 3 ways we can help you today:Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s EdgeHave traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: 👉 PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina Make Your Pitch Investor-ReadySend us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com Win the Award and Showcase Your ImpactNominate a spot at 👉 HealthTechImpactAward.com and win multiple media placements, investor introductions, and advisory support for your scalability.Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve BuiltComing to JPM? Pitch to active investors and decision-makers for the Women’s Health Pitch Showcase Share this coupon code: WMNSHLTH20 • Visit the registration link: 👉 https://eventship.com/event/01-12-26-global-innovation-in-women-s-health-pitch-showcase• They will sign in or create an account with Eventship. • They can select the General Admission ticket type to avail the discount. • Attached is a flyer that you can share with your community and post on your social media accounts. We are excited to welcome you to the Global
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • The Red Flag That Kills Your Raise with Aparajita Chauhan

    The Red Flag That Kills Your Raise with Aparajita Chauhan
    Dec 17 2025

    Candid insights. Tactical advice. Real talk on what investors actually look for.


    Too many brilliant women-led startups struggle to get noticed by VCs.


    It’s not always about your product—it’s about how you position, present, and prove your traction.


    In this episode, I sat down with Aparajita Chauhan, investor at Volition Capital, to talk about what makes a founder investable—before they even start raising.


    From decoding due diligence to how your leadership team communicates under pressure, we unpacked what founders need to know to build trust and stay on an investor’s radar.


    What You’ll Learn:


    ✅ What investors like Aparajita actually want to see before a pitch deck


    ✅ The #1 thing that gets founders remembered (hint: it’s not flashy branding)


    ✅ How to talk about your CAC, KPIs, and ROI with clarity—not guesswork


    ✅ Why founder-team alignment can make or break your deal


    ✅ How to build relationships with investors early—even if you're not raising yet


    ✅ Where women founders still face the biggest barriers (and how to navigate them)


    Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?


    Here are 3 ways we can help you today:


    Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge


    Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: 👉 PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina


    Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready


    Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com


    Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built


    Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe.


    At 👉 CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • E183 | Why Most AI Startups Fail | Real Talk with Investors from US, EU, LATAM & MENA

    E183 | Why Most AI Startups Fail | Real Talk with Investors from US, EU, LATAM & MENA
    Dec 10 2025
    Let’s be honest—founders are burned out from cold outreach and investor ghosting.You’ve built something real, but the right people just aren’t seeing it.What if the fastest path to capital was through vetted relationships that already believe in your mission?This isn’t your typical panel.You’re about to sit in on a private investor roundtable from Venture Vitality, a global gathering hosted by PulsePoint Path and our venture partners.In the room: seed and Series A investors, Medicaid fund managers, consumer health VCs, quantum & AI fund builders, FDA-cleared founders, LATAM commercialization experts, and healthcare operators with international scale.In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how startup capital is actually getting deployed in 2025 and what investors are really looking for in a noisy, AI-saturated market. ✅ Why “trust-first” deal flow is outperforming cold pitches ✅ How to make your startup defensible when AI can copy you in weeks ✅ What funders like DFX, Equal Opportunity Ventures, and Angel Squad are doing differently ✅ How to leverage Health Board Advisor’s global ecosystem to access capital and credibility ✅ Where women and diverse founders are finally being prioritized—and funded ✅ Why domain expertise is the new power play in healthcare AITimestamps:02:22 – Inside the Venture Vitality Investor Roundtable02:54 – What Differentiation Really Means in an AI-Crowded Market04:22 – Domain Expertise as the #1 Success Factor05:37 – The Real ICP & Minimal Sellable Product Problem07:26 – Why Startups Must Go Narrow + Deep (Not Wide + Shallow)08:32 – AI, Regulation, and Ethics: The New Founder Blind Spots10:44 – Know What You Don’t Know (Avoiding FDA & Reimbursement Pitfalls)12:13 – Business Models, Workflow Integration & Real User Adoption13:41 – The 3 Pillars Every Health Startup Must Nail15:17 – Solving Real Problems vs. Building Cool Tech15:52 – Quantum’s Coming Impact on Healthcare Innovation19:23 – Key Takeaways from the DiscussionRelated Episodes You’ll LoveWhy Founders Fail When They Ignore This with Monica McKitterickFrom Implementation to Optimization: Never Lose a Client Again Ep 170 with Sandra JohnsonHow AgeTech Startups Win Hospital Trust With Wound-Care Pilots Ep 169 with Amy CassataHere are 3 ways we can support you right now:Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s EdgeHave traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: 👉 PulsePointPath.com/Call-SabrinaReady to turn your pitch into a magnet? Send us your draft, let me rewrite it for you 👉 PitchToYes.comGet You In Front of InvestorsWe match you with the most aligned investors and decision-makers who care about your niche already. Apply at 👉 CapitalEngine.vc
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • How to Build AI Clinicians Trust and Teams Stick With Linda Macomber

    How to Build AI Clinicians Trust and Teams Stick With Linda Macomber
    Nov 27 2025

    AI won't win in healthcare unless clinicians—and patients—trust it.


    In this episode, I sat down with healthcare innovation expert Linda Macomber, who’s been at the forefront of digital transformation for over 35 years, leading initiatives with Kaiser, IBM, and the VA.


    Her message is clear: your tech isn’t the hero—the human insight behind it is.


    Learn What You’ll Discover:

    🔹 Why AI is not a revolution—but a renaissance that blends human wisdom with digital intelligence

    🔹 The biggest mistakes founders make when building in silos (and how to fix it)

    🔹 What it really means to deliver personalized care and distributed access

    🔹 How to rethink your solution as part of a broader care pathway—not just a point product

    🔹 The one mindset shift every founder needs to go from “protocols” to people-powered innovation


    Related Episodes You’ll Love

    How to Spot HealthTech Startups That Prevent Costly Readmissions — With Dr. Colin Banas. This one digs into how systems connect (interoperability, workflow gaps) and why tech alone isn’t enough.


    Tech Equity Is the Missing Link in Health Equity with Bevey Miner Ep 151— A powerful fit for founders dealing with data, bias, AI and ecosystem context.


    Nurse Entrepreneur: A Founder's Perspective with Susan Davis, Ep 114 — An episode that appears to focus on nursing, workflow, informatics and front‑line care systems. Since Linda brings a nursing + informatics background, this is a strong anchor for themes of clinical trust and integration.


    Apple Podcasts: Your Tech Isn’t Failing—Your Compliance Strategy Is (Ep 148)

    YouTube: Scaling Smart: How Founders Protect Their Burn Rate (Ep 162)

    SabrinaRunbeck.com Blog: The 5D System to Build Sustainable HealthTech Growth


    Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?


    Here are 3 ways we can help you today:


    Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge


    Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: 👉 PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina


    Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready


    Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com


    Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built


    Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At 👉 CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • What Employee Benefits Actually Work for Startups Under 50 People with Anthony Markey

    What Employee Benefits Actually Work for Startups Under 50 People with Anthony Markey
    Nov 12 2025

    We went beyond basic health coverage. From understanding multigenerational expectations to implementing creative, budget-conscious perks like flexible PTO or caregiver support—this is about building a workplace people want to stay in.


    Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

    ♦️When to start offering benefits (hint: before you're forced to)

    ♦️What employees really want across generations

    ♦️How to budget for retention without sacrificing runway

    ♦️How regulations shift at the 50- and 100-employee marks

    ♦️Why avoiding an awkward conversation with your broker might be costing you



    🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love

    📍 Why Founders Fail When They Ignore This with Monica McKitterick

    📍 From Implementation to Optimization: Never Lose a Client Again with Sandra Johnson

    📍 How AgeTech Startups Win Hospital Trust With Wound-Care Pilots with Amy Cassata


    🎧 Apple Podcasts: Your Tech Isn’t Failing—Your Compliance Strategy Is (Ep 148)

    💻 YouTube: Scaling Smart: How Founders Protect Their Burn Rate (Ep 162)

    📝 SabrinaRunbeck.com Blog: The 5D System to Build Sustainable HealthTech Growth



    Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?

    Here are 3 ways we can help you today:


    🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge

    Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina


    📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready

    Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com


    🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built

    Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • How Founders Protect Wealth Before the Next Round

    How Founders Protect Wealth Before the Next Round
    Nov 5 2025
    You built your company to create impact—but are you actually protecting what you’re building?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David Mandell, an attorney, MBA, and wealth strategist who’s spent over 30 years helping physicians and healthcare founders protect and grow their wealth.We unpack what financial intelligence really means for innovators—why it’s not about greed, but freedom—and how founders can stop reacting to money problems and start directing their growth with confidence.Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:Wealth is freedom, not just funds. Learn how founders can redefine wealth as freedom of time, choice, and impact.Build your financial “specialty team.” Why every founder needs aligned advisors—a CPA, attorney, and strategist—to scale safely.Protect your downside first. Risk is inevitable, but loss isn’t—when you structure your assets and decisions intentionally.Delegate awareness, not responsibility. You can outsource execution, but never your understanding of financial flow.Turn fear into focus. Financial intelligence helps founders transform anxiety about money into clear, actionable strategy.www.HealthTechShowdown.com — Apply for an $800 scholarship to pitch your company to active investors and enterprise decision-makers.www.ImpactQuotientQuiz.com — Discover if your company’s foundation supports sustainable, scalable impact.Get Dr. Mandell’s book — Free for Provider’s Edge listeners (details in episode show notes)Key Talking Points:Redefining Wealth Beyond MoneyDr. Mandell’s Journey: From Law to Wealth StrategyFounders as Clinicians and InnovatorsWhy Every Founder Needs a Financial “Specialty Team”Real-Life Example: When Risk Becomes RealityThe Power of “Your Who”Turning Financial Fear into ActionPlan for the Worst, Build for the BestEpisode Timeline:00:00:00 – Most founders chase revenue, but few build real wealth.00:01:53 – Dr. David Mandel, JD, MBA, attorney, and wealth strategist.00:06:38 – The challenge of legacy-building and balancing multiple roles.00:08:59 – Capital Engine VC—supporting healthcare founders.00:13:42 – David’s resources and books to educate founders.00:15:35 – Overcoming financial fears and mindset blocks.00:19:21 – David’s top advice: educate yourself and find the right team.00:21:14 – Sabrina on the power of compounding learning and expertise.00:23:35 – Key takeaway: financial strategy is personal, not one-size-fits-all.00:25:29 – Financial literacy isn’t about greed—it’s about freedom.00:28:54 – If your wealth were protected, what bold move would you take?Notable Quotes: Dr. David Mandell:“Aim for the best, plan for the worst. I’m an entrepreneur too—but I take risks wisely, knowing my assets are protected before I move forward.”Sabrina Runbeck:“When founders stay stuck in financial fear, their vision for impact stalls. The right mindset and the right people turn that fear into fuel.”Related Episodes You’ll LoveApple Podcasts: Your Tech Isn’t Failing—Your Compliance Strategy IsYouTube: Scaling Smart: How Founders Protect Their Burn RateSabrinaRunbeck.com Blog: The 5D System to Build Sustainable HealthTech GrowthWant to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?Here are 3 ways we can help you today:Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s EdgeHave traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: 👉 PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina Make Your Pitch Investor-ReadySend us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve BuiltApply for a contestant spot at 👉 PulsePointPath.com/Pitch-Application and pitch to active investors and decision-makers in your niche.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins