Digital Health Heavyweights
This conversational podcast brings you exclusive interviews with all the Heavyweights in Digital Health. Hosted by Norm Volsky, a top industry headhunter, whose team helped scale companies including Livongo, Hinge Health, Lyra, Virta, Progyny and many more. This series will bring listeners insights into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies driving the digital health revolution.
In each episode, Norm sits down with some of the most influential and innovative leaders in healthcare technology today from legendary founders who have built successful companies, venture capitalists who have led funding rounds, HR/Benefits leaders at forward thinking companies, Consultants and Brokers at the top benefits consulting firms, and other impactful visionaries challenging the status quo in healthcare. Listeners can learn from the industry greats who have created what we now know as health benefits, and who are changing the face of healthcare as we know it.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, a tech enthusiast, a start-up founder, benefits aficionado, jobseeker in Digital Health, or simply curious about the future of healthcare, Digital Health Heavyweights has something for you.
Digital Health Heavyweights
Episode 43 - Bill Georges, Healthcare Investor at AlleyCorp
Welcome back to the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast for episode 43.
In today’s sit-down, Norm Volsky interviews Bill Georges, a partner on AlleyCorp's healthcare team. Bill shares his career journey in healthcare and his role at AlleyCorp. He discusses the mission of AlleyCorp and its impact on the healthcare landscape. Bill also talks about his experience at Blue Cross Blue Shield in New Jersey and how it has shaped his perspective as an investor. He shares insights into strategic discussions that shape healthcare organizations and highlights the importance of being nimble and having founder-market fit. Bill also mentions some of the successful investments made by AlleyCorp. In this conversation, Bill Georges discusses two companies that AlleyCorp has incubated: Pearl Health and Lilac. He emphasizes the need for a supportive ecosystem to build successful value-based care companies and highlights the resistance to change in the payer ecosystem. Bill also shares the importance of followership and the traits he looks for in founders. He mentions that AlleyCorp sources deals through its network and emphasizes the need for founders to be ready to address the hot buttons of early-stage venture capitalists. Bill also talks about reducing stress through cycling and racing cars.
Takeaways
👨💼 Bill Georges leads investments and incubations related to the payer ecosystem at AlleyCorp.
🏢 AlleyCorp is an operating company that focuses on early-stage investing and company building.
🏥 Bill's experience at Blue Cross Blue Shield in New Jersey has informed his role as an investor.
🔄 Strategic discussions in healthcare organizations require nimbleness and the ability to fail fast.
🎯 Founder-market fit is an important factor in successful investments.
🚀 AlleyCorp has incubated companies like Pearl Health and Lilac, focusing on building a supportive ecosystem for successful value-based care companies.
🛑 The payer ecosystem faces resistance to change, hindering the adoption of value-based care.
👥 Followership is an important trait in founders, as they need to be able to attract talented individuals to join their startup despite the risks and sacrifices involved.
🔍 AlleyCorp sources deals through its network and looks for founders who are ready to address the hot buttons of early-stage venture capitalists.
🚴♂️ Reducing stress can be achieved through activities like cycling and racing cars.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Career Journey
03:05 Alley Corp: Early-Stage Investing and Company Building
06:19 Strategic Discussions and Founder Stories
09:02 The Importance of Being Nimble and Failing Fast
25:07 Exciting Investments in Alley Corp's Portfolio
25:36 Challenges and Opportunities in the Healthcare Industry
26:42 The Importance of Value-Based Care and Innovation
32:08 The Resistance to Change in the Payer Ecosystem
35:08 What AlleyCorp Looks for in Founders
39:51 Deal Sourcing and Supporting Portfolio Companies
42:27 The Significance of Pattern Recognition in Venture Capital
44:25 Advice for Founders Raising Funds
46:22 Strategies for Reducing Stress and Staying Active
48:08 Outro
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