As the MedCity INVEST Conference approaches, which highlights innovation, investment, and startups in the health sector, attention is drawn to some of the esteemed investor judges participating in the event’s INVEST Pitch Perfect competition. The conference is scheduled for May 21 and 22 at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago.
David Kereiakes, managing partner at Windham Venture Partners, will serve as a judge for the cardiology-focused device and diagnostic track. Over his career, Kereiakes has led or co-led more than $250 million in private placements, including investments in companies such as Bolder Surgical, Veran Medical, TissueTech, Advanced Practice Strategies, SurgiQuest, TailorMed, MacroHealth, OrthAlign, and NICO Corporation. Additionally, Kereiakes is currently a board member at DexCare, Wildflower Health, and AVIA Health.
Kereiakes recently shared insights on the landscape of investment in healthcare through a written interview.
Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
What is your investment strategy? How has it evolved in recent years?
Windham is a leading venture capital firm focused on health technologies, aimed at fostering the convergence of digital health and medical technologies to enhance clinical outcomes, increase access to quality healthcare, and address inefficiencies within the healthcare ecosystem. Over the decades, Windham has refined this strategy by successfully investing in digital health and medical devices, being at the forefront in enabling and accelerating the convergence of the two fields.
How do you view the evolution of the investment landscape?
Innovation largely depends on a delicate ecosystem. There are always cycles of abundance and scarcity; however, in recent years, the pendulum has swung more aggressively, creating an imbalance in the ecosystem. Investors and entrepreneurs have adjusted their strategies to prioritize capital preservation over growth. Many of our fellow investors are now focusing on portfolio management rather than seeking new investments. Although challenging for all, these periods of scarcity eventually pass, often due to the reliance on external innovation through well-capitalized strategies rather than internal R&D. For those who maintain discipline, these cycles can yield the strongest returns on investment and foster significant innovation breakthroughs.
Have startups/health organizations changed their outlook on what is feasible in healthcare?
We are continually impressed by our partnerships with visionaries in advancing healthcare innovations. In the face of the myriad challenges affecting our healthcare system, we do not question what is possible; rather, we work tirelessly to empower revolutionary ideas and technologies that enhance the delivery of care for all.
What advice would you give to healthcare startups?
Focus on what you can control, clearly communicate your vision so others can follow, and trust a team that challenges the status quo. Ultimately, believe in what you are doing, as you have the opportunity—more than any other industry—to change lives for the better, both literally and figuratively.
Click here to register for MedCity INVEST.
Image: Feodora Chiosea, Getty Images
