Healthfundr
launched today at the intersection of some of the hottest trends in the tech
world.
Healthfundr
is an equity-based crowdfunding platform for health startups. The site provides
accredited investors with opportunities to invest in a selection of curated
companies working on digital health, health IT, and diagnostic and medical
devices.
The
JOBS Act and the Affordable Care Act are dramatically changing regulations
surrounding crowdfunding and healthcare. Crowdfunding has changed the venture
capital landscape and startups in all sectors are using this method to raise
funding. The landscape for health investment is also changing. Funding soared
for health IT and digital health companies in 2012, while money continued to lag
for life sciences and medical device
companies.
CEO
Jared Iverson is a former securities attorney with experience working for a
pharmaceutical company. He founded Healthfundr in response to shifts he
observed in both industries.
“The
company is rooted in a desire to see more innovation and capital around health
and medical innovation,” he said in an interview with VentureBeat. “A lot of
capital goes to areas that are easier to understand or have less regulation,
and I’d love to see this sector become more mainstream. This is an area that
has a huge impact on quality of life.”
Healthfundr
is only open to accredited investors. As of today’s launch, it features three
vetted companies that are looking to raise capital. Unlike other equity-based
crowdfunding sites like TheFundersClub or CircleUp, Healthfundr works with later stage
companies that already have traction and are looking to raise larger amounts.
Iverson said there is no shortage of seed funding or later stage capital for
health companies, but many struggle to receive first rounds of institutional funding.
Healthfundr is meant to be a place where companies that have traction in the
market can raise growth capital of a few million dollars.
“Health
startups often have to overcome regulatory hurdles and require a higher degree
of sophistication and more capital from investors,” said Iverson. “One of the
unique difficulties is getting investors to follow-on. We want to fill this
hole by being selective about the companies we choose so investors feel more
confident in their ability to carry out due diligence.”
Healthfundr is a
registered broker-dealer and will take a small portion of the capital raise,
either in the form of equity or cash compensation. Iverson’s ultimate goal is
to become the main hub for health and medical technology deals and drive funding
and interest into this space.
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