Starting a company is hard, even in the best of times. But during a period of economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, political divisions, and a global pandemic -- it can feel impossible. In this episode, I talk to Sami Inkinen, a founder who has run companies in both bull and bear markets. Sami was the co-founder of Trulia (IPO) and now Virta Health (valued at $2B). We discuss:The benefits to starting a company in a downturnWhen to raise money, when to focus on top-line growth, and when to focus on unit economicsPractical tips for founder mental healthMaking hard decisions under pressureRowing from California to Hawaii, completely unassisted
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Starting a Company: Mission Impossible

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Clinical notes are one of the more tedious parts of doctors’ day-to-day lives—so much so that they’re often called “pajama time,” since physicians spend 2-3 hours writing them at night. In this episode, Steve Kraus sits down with Dr. Shiv Rao, co-founder and CEO of Abridge, an AI-first healthcare company that’s been in the spotlight for solving this problem. Abridge uses advanced machine learning to structure and summarize medical conversations, creating clinical documentation and structured data while reducing clinician burnout. Shiv traces his journey from a skateboarding rebel to a cardiologist, professor, healthcare investor, and now founder of a pioneering digital health startup. He shares how his passion for scalable impact and exposure to cutting-edge research at Carnegie Mellon led him to start Abridge in 2018. Steve and Shiv discuss:How Abridge differentiated itself early on through AI technology and go-to-market (GTM) strategyThe company’s ROI and anti-burnout metrics, like note quality, pajama time, and cognitive loadClinician-AI collaboration vs. direct-to-consumer applicationsThe surprising parallels between managing an ICU and running a startupThe habits and mindsets that keep Shiv grounded while leading a fast-growing, mission-driven company
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10x the Incumbent with AI | Abridge CEO Shiv Rao

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In this episode (a replay from Closing Time), David Ko, CEO of Calm, discusses the mental health challenges founders and their teams face. We discuss practical strategies for building resilience, managing the relentless pressure, and why destigmatizing mental health is crucial for startup success. David shares how leaders can champion well-being, creating a workplace where mental health support is the norm, not the exception. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes building a thriving business starts with a healthy mindset. 
 We cover:How resilience is built through learning from mistakes and taking risksWhere stress comes from and if you can really eliminate itHow to lead by example and create a supportive work environmentGenerational shifts in the conversation around mental healthWhy mental health should be normalized throughout the year and not just during Mental Health Awareness MonthSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beat Burnout & Build Resilience | Calm CEO David Ko

May is Women's Health Awareness Month!  In this episode, Kate Ryder, CEO and founder of Maven, the largest virtual clinic for women and families, shares her passion for transforming a traditionally underserved healthcare sector. We explore how Maven Clinic has evolved since her seed pitch in 2016, and what she’s learned along the way. We cover:How Maven has evolved from an online marketplace for women to connect with healthcare specialists to a comprehensive platform for women's and family healthHow language and terminology (even the term “women's health”) can be challengingEmerging trends in women's health including the need for better support for Medicaid members and the growing mental health crisis among teenagersHow egg freezing can contribute to gender equality in the workplaceKate’s wishes for improving the US healthcare system, like Medicaid coverage for new moms and universal pre-K to support working familiesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why "Women's Health" Isn't Enough | Maven Founder & CEO Kate Ryder

80% of Americans suffering from eating disorders don’t get the treatment they need. That’s where Equip comes in. In this episode, Steve Kraus sits down with Kristina Saffran, the co-founder and CEO of Equip, a virtual provider transforming eating disorder treatment by making evidence-based care more accessible to patients and families. Kristina shares her personal journey recovering from anorexia and how her experience with the challenges in traditional treatment led her to found a non-profit and ultimately start Equip. She and Steve dive into:Misconceptions about eating disorders and the barriers that prevent the vast majority of sufferers from getting treatmentEquip's virtual, multidisciplinary five-person care team modelThe company's focus on delivering evidence-based treatment while pioneering new research to improve outcomesThe importance of collaborating with insurance payers to improve access and reduce costsKristina's advice for mission-driven healthcare entrepreneursSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Redefining Eating Disorder Care | Equip Health

Digital Health Download: May 2024 In this episode, Halle and Steve dive into the latest headlines in digital health for May 2024, covering topics like surprise billing, AI in healthcare, and the future of primary care. They cover:   - A ProPublica investigation into Cigna's claims and prior authorization processes - The FTC's new non-compete agreement ban, and what it means for healthcare - Walmart's decision to shutter its health clinics, and the viability of retail primary care - A new study on using generative AI to draft physician replies to patient messages - Nurses' protests against the rapid adoption of AI technology at Kaiser Permanente - An Atlantic article on the coming revolution in male contraceptives See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting a Company: Mission Impossible

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