NEMIC Startups Shine at EforAll Pitch Event
Last month, the EforAll (Entrepreneurship for All) Pitch Event—sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield—brought together some of the most promising startups in the health and wellness space. Entrepreneurship for All is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities nationwide to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow a business through intensive business training, mentorship and an extended professional support network, with a mission to accelerate economic and social impact in communities nationwide through inclusive entrepreneurship. Among those pitching were were four companies from the NEMIC network, all of whom are driving innovation in healthcare with social impact in mind.
In 1st Place taking home the top prize was SaysWho, a company with a mission to make life easier for children with mobility challenges. 2nd Place went to Docs for Health, a health tech company (highlighted in our November Newsletter as the Nov. Startup Spotlight!) making strides in connecting patients with social care resources right from the physician’s office. 3rd was Just Breathe, a novel device that uses guided breathwork to help manage anxiety. Wheelhouse Health--a company tackling the navigation of the healthcare system, increasing access to refugees, & decreasing errors and cost in medical bills--rounded out the podium with an honorable mention.
Anna Cerilli & Erica Jaffe of SAYSWHO, 1st Place Winners
We are incredibly proud of SaysWho, Docs for Health, Just Breathe, and Wheelhouse Health for their performances and the recognition they received. Their success at the EforAll Pitch Event reinforces the importance of fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs as they work to bring life-changing products and services to market.
Read on for summaries about each of the NEMIC network startups who swept the podium.
First Place: SaysWho – Redefining Pediatric Mobility
Taking home the top prize was SaysWho, a company with a mission to make life easier for children with mobility challenges. Their flagship product is a pediatric walker designed to empower kids with physical disabilities, allowing them to move more freely and confidently. The sleek design and child-friendly features make it a standout in the market, addressing a key gap in assistive devices for young patients.
Second Place: Docs for Health – Closing the Gap in Social Care Access
In second place was Docs for Health, a health tech company making significant strides in connecting patients with social care resources right from the physician’s office. Their SaaS platform aims to streamline the often cumbersome process of linking patients to essential services such as housing, food security, and transportation. This solution addresses a critical need in healthcare today, as social determinants of health have a profound impact on patient outcomes.
Third Place: Just Breathe – A Breathwork Device for Anxiety Relief
Coming in third was Just Breathe, a company offering a novel device that uses guided breathwork to help manage anxiety. In a world where stress and mental health challenges are on the rise, Just Breathe’s solution is both timely and impactful. Their device guides users through scientifically-backed breathing exercises that are proven to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Honorable Mention: Wheelhouse Health – Simplifying Healthcare Billing and Insurance
Rounding out the event with an honorable mention was Wheelhouse Health Navigation, a company tackling one of the most frustrating aspects of healthcare—navigating billing, insurance, and benefits. Their platform aims to make this process as painless as possible for patients, helping them better understand their healthcare expenses and coverage.
The Power of Community and Innovation
Community Shot
Events like the EforAll Pitch Event serve as a reminder of the power of innovation and the impact that startups can have on shaping the future of healthcare. It was inspiring to see NEMIC-affiliated companies not only rise to the occasion but also excel, with their solutions addressing a diverse range of health challenges—from pediatric mobility to social care access, mental health, and healthcare billing.
At NEMIC, we remain committed to supporting groundbreaking healthcare technologies and are excited to continue working with these companies as they grow and make an even greater impact in the industry; and we were thrilled to have our network so boldly represented at the EforAll event.
Stay tuned for more updates on these companies and others making waves in the healthtech space!
