Applications are now open for transformative,
12-week accelerator program designed to fast track startups with
knowledge, tools, and resources to drive growth &
impact.
BALTIMORE, July 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthworx, the innovation and
investment arm of CareFirst, Inc. that serves as an educational
engine for scaling early-stage startups, is announcing
Highmark Inc. and LifeBridge Health as its partners for
the next cohort of Healthworx Accelerator, a transformative
accelerator program for healthcare startups seeking funding and
mentorship. Applications for Healthworx Accelerator open today and
will close in two weeks on August 6,
2024.
Through these partnerships, Healthworx Accelerator will leverage
a diverse network of healthcare experts from every corner of the
industry to provide an insider's perspective and education for
early-stage healthcare companies.
The program draws upon the unique strengths and networks of each
partner to support the cohort companies with the knowledge and
resources they need to disrupt a crowded healthcare ecosystem. In
just 12 weeks, cohort companies will engage with a focused
curriculum designed to streamline the education, mentorship, and
networking necessary to increase growth and impact in a competitive
healthcare market.
"Partnering to launch Healthworx Accelerator allows us the
opportunity to play a direct role in nurturing the next generation
of impact-driven entrepreneurs," Ricardo
Johnson, EVP of Strategy & Growth at CareFirst, said.
"Healthworx Accelerator is an extension of our vision to bridge
gaps in care by collaborating with startup founders who share our
passion for creating more equitable, accessible and affordable care
options."
"At LifeBridge, we're always looking to partner with
innovation-minded companies to improve patient outcomes and bring
better care to our region," Adam
Beck, Director of Digital Health at LifeBridge Health said.
"By partnering with Healthworx Accelerator, we look forward to
bringing our decades of experience to help startup founders scale
and drive lasting, meaningful change."
"We're thrilled to be a part of the Healthworx Accelerator, a
program that will drive healthcare innovation and access forward,"
Deb Rice-Johnson, CEO of Diversified
Businesses and chief growth officer for Highmark Inc. Steve Christensen, Managing Director for
Highmark Ventures, the corporate venture capital investment arm of
Highmark Inc. echoed "Our partnership will provide important
support and mentorship to these startups, helping them navigate the
complex healthcare landscape and bring their solutions to
life."
"With this group of partners, Healthworx Accelerator will
connect cohort companies to experts across the healthcare space -
from product development to payer/provider system navigation to
marketing - to provide members with a truly transformative
experience," said Doba Parushev, Managing Partner at Healthworx.
"These are big players in healthcare that are committed to
softening the steep learning curve most newcomers face in this
space -- an opportunity not often granted in this industry and
something we've seen success within the program's previous
iteration."
To apply for Healthworx Accelerator or learn more, visit:
https://healthworxaccelerator.com/program
About Healthworx
Equal parts investment arm, strategic partner, commercialization
engine, and launch pad, Healthworx, the investment and innovation
arm of CareFirst Inc., is an agile group of healthcare experts
dedicated to building a healthier future and a better healthcare
experience. Made up of four arms - Healthworx Accelerator,
Healthworx Ventures and Healthworx Studio - Healthworx provides
innovative healthcare startups with support at every stage of their
growth. For more information about getting involved in the
Healthworx ecosystem, visit https://www.healthworx.com/
About Highmark Inc.
An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield
Association, Highmark Inc., together with its Blue-branded
affiliates, collectively comprise the fifth largest overall Blue
Cross Blue Shield-affiliated organization in the country with
approximately 7 million members in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West
Virginia and western and northeastern New York. Its diversified businesses serve
group customer and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance and
other related businesses. For more information, visit
www.highmark.com.
About LifeBridge Health
LifeBridge Health is one of the largest, most comprehensive
providers of health services in Maryland. LifeBridge Health includes Sinai
Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital, Levindale Hebrew
Geriatric Center and Hospital, Grace Medical Center and related
subsidiaries and affiliates. For more information, visit
https://www.lifebridgehealth.org/
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SOURCE Healthworx