Venture Investors Health Fund

Chris Fernandez, CEO of EnsoData, recently spoke at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin School of Business AI Day, where he delivered a session on Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostics and Precision Therapeutics: A 'State of the Union' and Future Directions. EnsoData’s journey—from research at UW-Madison to creating major advancements in AI-driven diagnostics—demonstrates the power of academic innovation in shaping the future of healthcare. AI is no longer a future trend—it’s driving real impact today, from improving patient diagnostics to optimizing healthcare workflows. At Venture Investors Health Fund, we believe that great ideas don’t just come from the coasts. They come from world-class research institutions like UW-Madison, where AI, biotech, and healthtech innovations are transforming patient care. As AI continues to evolve, Wisconsin’s academic and startup ecosystem is proving that innovation thrives in the Midwest. 🚀 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gGiZFw3c #HealthcareInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #VentureCapital #UW #AIinHealthcare #WisconsinBiotech #Startups

Glaucoma surgery has long been limited by poor imaging, making it difficult for doctors to place stents accurately. ViaLase, Inc is changing that with its FLigHT procedure, a new laser-based approach that provides clearer, more precise imaging to improve patient outcomes. In the following video, Richard Lewis MD, CMO of ViaLase, explains how the FLigHT procedure combines high-definition imaging with OCT technology to help surgeons work with greater accuracy and confidence. This is exactly the kind of game-changing healthcare innovation that embodies our investment thesis at Venture Investors Health Fund—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in treatment and surgical precision. 🎥: https://lnkd.in/eym6Nn2S #HealthcareInnovation #MedTech #Ophthalmology #GlaucomaTreatment #MedicalBreakthroughs #VentureCapital Jim Adox

Big steps ahead for Rivermark Medical, Inc.! As RAPID-III gears up, it’s exciting to see clinician-driven innovation advancing new solutions in urology. Looking forward to seeing the impact of this pivotal trial.

California, here we come! 🌴 Jenni Le and Scott Button from Venture Investors Health Fund are headed to LSI USA '25 in Dana Point, CA, March 17-21. We're excited to join a curated forum of global medtech leaders in a world-class setting, where real business happens—and we’re excited to be part of the conversation. A few sessions we're excited to attend: 💙 The 3 Trends Driving Cardiovascular Investment, M&A, and Deals in 2025+ A deep dive into the forces shaping cardiovascular innovation with: Lisa Carmel (EVP Strategic Partnerships), Lisa Suennen (Managing Partner at American Heart Association Ventures), Brad Gu (Director of Strategy and Corporate Development at GE HealthCare), Greg Larkin (Vice President, Business Development & Strategy - Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic), and Shai Ran Sapir (Cardiovascular Portfolio Manager at Mayo Clinic). 🚀 Navigating Innovation, Investment, and Impact in 2025 This panel will explore key trends driving early-stage medtech investment with insights from: Sabing Lee (Partner at Knobbe Martens), Omid Akhavan (Managing Director & Founder at Anthro Ventures), Justin Klein, MD, JD (Managing Partner at Vensana Capital), Anita Watkins (Managing Director at Rex Health Ventures), and Joshua Phillips (Managing General Partner at Catalyst Health Group Ventures). 🎤 Keynote with Gary Guthart, PhD We’re eager to hear from the CEO & Board Member of Intuitive, one of the most influential leaders in robotic-assisted surgery and medtech innovation. If you’re attending, let’s connect and discuss how we can shape the future of medtech together. See you there! Event & Speaker info ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dw_teTUK #LSIUSA25 #Medtech #HealthcareInnovation #VentureCapital LSI

Midwest innovation, global impact! 🌍🚀 HistoSonics, Inc., a company rooted in Ann Arbor, MI, is bringing its groundbreaking histotripsy technology to Asia with the launch of the first private hospital histotripsy program at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong. Histotripsy is a non-invasive, non-toxic therapy that uses sound waves to precisely destroy tumors—without surgery, radiation, or incisions. Thanks to the Li Ka Shing Foundation, this expansion builds on momentum from The University of Hong Kong Hospital and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hospital—demonstrating how transformative healthcare innovations born in the Midwest can change lives worldwide. Proud to support HistoSonics as they continue to push the boundaries of non-invasive cancer treatment! 👏 #MidwestInnovation #Histotripsy #GlobalImpact #HealthcareInnovation Jim Adox

🏆 Big news! The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) has named HistoSonics, Inc. the 2025 Startup Innovator—a well-deserved recognition for a company that’s transforming tumor treatment. This is exactly the kind of innovation that defines Midwest biotech leadership. HistoSonics’ journey—from groundbreaking research at University of Michigan to its pioneering histotripsy technology (a non-invasive, non-toxic therapy that uses sound waves to precisely destroy tumors)—demonstrates how great science, strong venture backing, and relentless execution lead to game-changing healthcare solutions. With 58,000 active venture-backed companies, only one is recognized each year at NVCA’s annual event. HistoSonics now joins an elite group—and it’s the second Venture Investors Health Fund portfolio company to earn this honor in the past five years, following NeuMoDx in 2021. We’re incredibly proud to support Mike Blue and the entire HistoSonics team as they continue making an impact. Congratulations to all involved! 🎉 📢 Read more from NVCA: https://lnkd.in/ePUC97kc #VentureCapital #HealthcareInnovation #HistoSonics #NVCA Bobby Franklin #MidwestBiotech Jim Adox Joshua Stopek David Krenn Michele Bazinet-Bossert Dan Kosednar Donald Hayden Joseph Herman Josh King Amanda Cafaro

Wisconsin has the talent. Wisconsin has the innovation. Now, it’s time to scale. At a recent Wisconsin Technology Council meeting, VI’s John Neis made it clear: if we want to build and retain high-impact companies in Wisconsin, we need to grow our venture capital landscape to compete on a national level. Right now, the average early-stage investment per company in Wisconsin is around $3 million—while nationally, companies are raising tens of millions. That’s a gap we need to close. 💡 The good news? The momentum is here. 🔹 More experienced entrepreneurs in Wisconsin are cycling back as founders, investors, and mentors, strengthening the ecosystem. 🔹 Better startups are emerging, with stronger ideas and execution, ready for growth capital. 🔹 Out-of-state investors are showing interest—now we need to encourage them to set up shop and co-invest alongside local funds. Wisconsin has already proven it can build transformative biotech and medtech companies. Just look at the legacy of Third Wave Technologies, the rise of Exact Sciences, and the cutting-edge innovation happening at companies like Rivermark Medical, Inc., Elephas, and Invenra. To truly compete, we need to fuel more investments, bigger rounds, and stronger syndicates—so that game-changing companies don’t have to leave the state to scale. Read more via WisBusiness.com: https://lnkd.in/gk4X_K3p #VentureCapital #WisconsinTech #StartupEcosystem #HealthcareInnovation #MedTech #Biotech #Entrepreneurship

Building solid relationships with universities is critical for early stage medtech investors—Jenni Le dives into it all in her latest interview with MedCity News! As an investor and MedCity INVEST Pitch Perfect judge, Jenni shares insights on what it takes to build transformational healthcare companies, the role of university spinouts in medtech innovation, and why strong syndicate partnerships matter more than ever. 💡 Who inspires us? Jenni calls out Mike Blue and the team at HistoSonics, Inc. for their relentless focus on improving patient care with histotripsy. Their culture is unmatched—every person wakes up every day driven to make an impact. 💡 What’s keeping early-stage medtech investors up at night? The challenge of discovering game-changing innovations at the university level. Our boots-on-the-ground approach to sourcing university spinouts can't be replaced by AI—it’s about relationships, conversations, and deep engagement. 💡 What portfolio company are we especially proud of? EarliTec Diagnostics, Inc.. Founded by Dr. Ami Klin and Dr. Warren Jones, EarliTec is revolutionizing autism diagnosis with AI-driven eye-tracking technology, cutting wait times and helping kids get access to treatment sooner. 👏 Shoutout to Jim Adox, VI’s Executive Managing Director, for setting the bar high—his meticulous preparation and leadership continue to shape our investment approach. Check out Jenni’s full Q&A here: https://lnkd.in/gwErH3Xh #MedTech #VentureCapital #HealthcareInnovation #AutismDiagnosis #MedCityINVEST #StartupInvesting #UniversitySpinouts #Histotripsy

Missed VI's Third Wave panel discussion with John Neis, Kevin Conroy, Lloyd Smith, James Dahlberg, Lance Fors, and Maneesh Arora? No worries—we’ve got you covered! Our latest blog post recaps the biggest insights from an unforgettable night celebrating the legacy of Third Wave Technologies and its lasting impact on Wisconsin’s biotech ecosystem. From early investment lessons to the role of Midwest VCs, and the future of biotech innovation, this discussion had it all. 🔬 Third Wave paved the way for groundbreaking companies like Exact Sciences, Elephas, and many more, proving that Madison is a powerhouse for biotech innovation. 🏗️ Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) played a pivotal role in making this possible, pioneering the equity-based licensing model that has since supported countless spinouts. 🧪 Jessica Martin Eckerly and Forward BIOLABS are continuing that legacy today, providing critical lab space to help startups like Elephas scale from idea to impact. Check out the key takeaways, founder insights, and the stories that shaped one of Madison’s most influential biotech success stories. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gHaRFmWY #Biotech #LifeSciences #VentureCapital #Innovation #MadisonWI #HealthcareInvesting #Entrepreneurship Jenni Le Jim Adox

Madison’s biotech scene is thriving! Elephas Biosciences is tackling one of cancer treatment’s biggest challenges: how to predict which patients will truly benefit from immunotherapy. Despite hundreds of millions being spent on innovative therapies, we still lack tools that can guide treatment decisions. That’s where Elephas makes a difference: rather than patients waiting months to see if their treatment will work, Elephas leverages cutting-edge imaging and live tumor biopsies to analyze the tumor microenvironment—working toward the goal of informing clinicians about potential treatment outcomes within 72 hours. Elephas is a shining example of how University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists and companies can work together to drive breakthrough innovations in healthcare. With collaborations that spark informal discussions and tap into diverse expertise—from the labs at UW–Madison and the Morgridge Institute for Research—this innovative approach is paving the way for more effective, personalized cancer treatments. Third Wave Technologies paved the way for Madison’s thriving biotech scene, receiving strategic equity investments from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) to set the stage for success. Now, Elephas is carrying that torch forward—also backed by WARF, and Venture Investors Health Fund—as it breaks new ground in cancer treatment innovation. We’re proud to support Elephas and witness the ongoing transformation of healthcare innovation in our region. Read more by Brian Mattmiller: https://lnkd.in/g8uxVAgt #MadisonBiotech #HealthcareInnovation #CancerResearch #VentureCapital #UWMadison Maneesh Arora Terry Brady Erin Kaminsky Mike Szulczewski Ann Leonard Steven Fuhrman Jenni Le Paul Weiss