VC Spotlight: AI's Impact on Health Care

Bloomberg Technology
19 Sept 202304:29

TLDRThe transcript discusses the impact of AI on healthcare, highlighting the potential for digital transformation in the industry. With nearly 20% of GDP spent on healthcare, there is a significant focus on innovative delivery models and AI's role in supporting clinicians for better patient outcomes. The discussion also touches on the importance of valuations and expertise in AI for startups, and the potential for early-stage investments to lead to IPOs, as seen with companies like Instacart. The transcript emphasizes the firm's commitment to finding the best founders and innovative solutions that can significantly improve healthcare systems.

Takeaways

  • 💰 The firm has $900 million in assets and management, focusing on digital health and early-stage investments.
  • 🚀 The excitement around I.P.O.s is linked to unlocking growth markets and providing returns to investors.
  • 🔄 A domino effect is suggested where I.P.O.s can lead to larger funding rounds for startups due to increased capital flow.
  • 💹 Public market growth influences private market investments, with returns from I.P.O.s feeding back into startups.
  • 🤖 Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is emphasized as a key area of focus, with the firm being sensitive to hype cycles.
  • 📈 The firm is cautious about A.I. valuations, ensuring founders have expertise and a clear path for A.I. integration.
  • 🏥 Healthcare is a significant focus, with nearly 20% of GDP spent and the potential for digital transformation.
  • 🌐 The firm invests in innovative delivery models and areas of medicine, aiming to support clinicians and health systems.
  • 🔎 A.I. is seen as a tool to drive better patient outcomes and reduce costs in the healthcare system.
  • 🌍 The firm is willing to go anywhere to find the best founders and expertise, not limited by geographical boundaries.
  • 📊 The example of a company using localized A.I. for health systems highlights the potential for early disease detection and improved patient outcomes.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of the I.P.O. for early-stage investors in the digital health sector?

    -The I.P.O. is significant for early-stage investors as it unlocks the growth market, allowing them to see returns on their investments in innovative companies that are poised to go public.

  • How does the success of companies like Instacart influence the investment landscape for early-stage startups?

    -The success of companies like Instacart creates a domino effect, opening up opportunities for startups to raise larger funding rounds as there is more capital flowing into public markets.

  • What role does the public market play in funding growth-stage companies?

    -The public market is crucial as the growth investors that fund these companies need to return capital to their investors, which then can be reinvested into early-stage companies.

  • Why is artificial intelligence (A.I.) a focus for the investment firm mentioned in the transcript?

    -A.I. is a focus because the firm believes in its potential to revolutionize industries, particularly healthcare, by supporting clinicians and health systems to provide better patient outcomes.

  • How does attaching A.I. to a company's domain name impact its valuation?

    -Attaching A.I. to a company's domain name can increase its valuation due to the hype and perceived innovation associated with A.I. technology.

  • What is the current state of digital transformation in healthcare according to the transcript?

    -Healthcare is still in the early stages of digital transformation, with significant potential for growth and innovation, particularly in areas like delivery models and the application of A.I.

  • What is the investment firm's approach to valuing early-stage companies in the A.I. space?

    -The firm is sensitive to valuations, ensuring that founders have expertise in A.I. and a clear path to demonstrate how A.I. will enable products or services that benefit the end customer.

  • How does the investment firm identify and support innovative healthcare delivery models?

    -The firm invests in companies that are market leaders in new areas of medicine and are using A.I. to support clinicians and health systems, aiming to drive better care and outcomes for patients.

  • What is the potential impact of A.I. on the early detection of chronic diseases as mentioned in the transcript?

    -A.I. has the potential to detect chronic diseases much earlier, which can significantly improve health spans and life spans for patients, as demonstrated by the example of the company that can identify chronic kidney disease and asthma patients earlier.

  • How does the investment firm ensure it has access to the best founders and innovative companies regardless of location?

    -The firm is willing to go anywhere to find the best founders with real expertise, focusing on the potential of the companies to make a significant impact in their respective fields.

  • What is the investment firm's perspective on the importance of expertise and innovation in the companies they invest in?

    -The firm values real expertise and innovation, seeking companies that can demonstrate how their innovations, particularly in A.I., can deliver better outcomes and reduce costs in the healthcare system.

Outlines

00:00

💼 Investment in Digital Health and IPO Momentum

The speaker discusses the excitement of investing in early-stage digital health companies, with a focus on the potential for significant growth following IPOs. They mention Instacart as an example of a successful company that has benefited from market enthusiasm. The discussion highlights the importance of capital returns to investors and the subsequent reinvestment into startups, which is essential for scaling these companies to the level of Instacart or Claveo. The conversation also touches on the impact of artificial intelligence hype on company valuations and the need for genuine expertise in AI for startups to succeed.

🚀 Leveraging AI in Healthcare for Better Outcomes

This paragraph emphasizes the firm's focus on healthcare, which is expected to spend nearly 20% of the GDP. The speaker believes that the digital transformation in healthcare is still in its early stages and discusses investments in innovative delivery models, such as FORM, a leader in obesity treatment. The goal is to use AI to support clinicians and health systems to provide better care and outcomes for patients while reducing costs. The speaker also mentions the importance of identifying and investing in companies that can deliver on these promises, regardless of their location.

🌐 Global Access to Innovative Healthcare Startups

The speaker addresses the question of how they access startups from various locations, emphasizing that great companies can be built anywhere and that they are willing to go anywhere to find the best founders with real expertise. An example is given of a company that has localized AI for health systems, which can detect diseases like chronic kidney disease and asthma much earlier, potentially extending health spans and life spans for patients. The speaker concludes by stating that the CEO of this company is based in Philadelphia, illustrating their commitment to finding and supporting innovative companies regardless of geographical location.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Digital Health

Digital Health refers to the use of digital technologies to improve health care delivery, patient outcomes, and health management. In the video's context, it is highlighted as a key area of focus for investment, with the potential to transform the healthcare industry through innovative delivery models and technologies. The script mentions how digital transformation is still in its early stages within healthcare, indicating a significant opportunity for growth and disruption.

💡IPO (Initial Public Offering)

An IPO is the process by which a private company goes public by offering its shares for sale to the general public for the first time. In the script, the excitement around IPOs is discussed as a catalyst for growth in the market, particularly for early-stage investors looking to see the companies they invest in mature and potentially offer returns through public trading.

💡Assets Under Management (AUM)

AUM refers to the total market value of investments managed by an investment manager or a fund. The script mentions a figure of $900 million in assets under management, which signifies the scale of investment capacity the firm has to deploy in early-stage companies within the digital health sector.

💡Generational Companies

The term 'generational companies' in the script refers to businesses that are expected to have a lasting impact and remain relevant and successful over several generations. The speaker expresses their interest in investing in such companies that have the potential to go public and create long-term value.

💡Disruption

In the context of the video, disruption refers to innovations that fundamentally change the way an industry operates, often by introducing new technologies or business models. The script discusses the potential for AI and digital health technologies to disrupt traditional healthcare by improving efficiency and patient outcomes.

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. The script highlights the firm's belief in the importance of AI and its potential to enhance products and services in the healthcare industry, with a focus on how AI can support clinicians and health systems.

💡Hype Cycles

Hype cycles refer to the typical pattern of how new technologies are adopted, starting with a phase of inflated expectations followed by a trough of disillusionment, before eventually reaching a plateau of productivity. The script mentions being sensitive to hype cycles, indicating an awareness of market overexcitement and a cautious approach to valuations in the context of AI investments.

💡Valuations

Valuations in the script refer to the process of estimating the value of a company or investment, often based on financial metrics and market conditions. The discussion around valuations emphasizes the importance of ensuring that early-stage companies have realistic and justified valuations, especially when incorporating AI into their business models.

💡G.D.P. (Gross Domestic Product)

G.D.P. is the total value of all goods produced and services provided in a country during one year. The script notes that healthcare spending accounts for nearly 20% of the G.D.P., underscoring the significant economic impact and potential for investment within the healthcare sector.

💡Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases are health conditions that persist over a long period and are generally slow to progress. The script points out that a large portion of healthcare spending in the U.S. is related to chronic diseases, which often go unnoticed until they become severe. The use of AI in healthcare is highlighted as a means to detect such diseases earlier and improve patient outcomes.

💡Health Systems

Health systems refer to the organizations and infrastructure that provide health care services to people in a country or region. The script discusses the potential for AI to support health systems by enabling earlier detection of diseases and driving better care, which is critical for improving health spans and life spans of patients.

Highlights

Digital health is a key focus with $900 million in assets and management.

Unlocking the IPO markets is crucial for growth and early-stage investment opportunities.

Significant pipeline of great companies expected to unlock after successful IPOs.

Investing in early-stage startups with the potential to become generational companies.

Public market growth influences private investment and capital returns.

The domino effect of startups raising large rounds due to public market investments.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emphasized as a key factor in company valuations.

AI expertise and a clear path for product/service enhancement are essential for startups.

Healthcare spending represents nearly 20% of GDP, indicating vast potential for digital transformation.

Investments in innovative delivery models and new areas of medicine, such as FORM, a leader in obesity treatment.

AI's role in supporting clinicians and health systems for better patient outcomes.

The importance of delivering better outcomes while reducing costs in the healthcare system.

Geographical location is not a barrier; the best founders can be found anywhere.

Example of a company using localized AI for early disease detection in healthcare systems.

AI's potential to identify chronic diseases like kidney disease and asthma much earlier.

The impact of early disease detection on improving health spans and life spans for patients.

The commitment to finding and investing in companies with real expertise, regardless of location.