StartUp Health NOW Podcast

The phrase "Food as Medicine" has moved beyond buzzwords to become a powerful force in health tech and digital health. From dedicated pavilions at major conferences like HLTH to a growing understanding of its profound impact to StartUp Health's newly-launched Food as Medicine Health Moonshot Community, the concept is clear: what we eat plays a crucial role in preventing and managing chronic diseases often more so than medication alone. Nutrition is not just about sustenance or weight management; it's a vital tool in fighting disease and fostering overall wellbeing. Beyond its direct health benefits, treating food as medicine offers a unique advantage: it connects us. Sharing meals builds community and belonging, essential elements for human health and thriving that a pill simply cannot replicate. In this episode, we speak with Rich Bennett, CEO & Co-founder of Epicured, a true standard-bearer in the Food as Medicine movement. Epicured delivers medically-tailored meals directly to individuals' homes, offering personalized nutrition plans designed by a team of expert nutritionists and Michelin-starred chefs, catering to a range of health conditions. We delve into Epicured's exciting recent developments, including their groundbreaking partnership with Medicaid in New York State. This significant move expands access to their life-changing service to a wider population, particularly those who may not have had the means to benefit previously. Bennett also shares his insights on joining as a founding member of StartUp Health'sFood as Medicine Health Moonshot Community, highlighting the collaborative efforts driving innovation and growth in this vital field. Epicured is one of the exciting growth stories in digital health today, and they are at a fascinating inflection point. Join us as Bennett discusses their recent successful fundraise and their ambitious plans to scale up production at their "healing food" facilities. This is a pivotal moment for Epicured and the entire Food as Medicine movement. Tune in to hear how they are revolutionizing healthcare, one delicious and nutritious meal at a time.



Are you ready to tell YOUR story?Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the worlds biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel is a benefit of ourHealth Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application.If youre mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit. Learn more and apply today. Want more content like this?Sign up for StartUp Health Insider to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, we dive into one of the most fascinating innovation stories in health tech. Our guest is Chuck Papageorgiou, CEO of NeuroEM Therapeutics, a company that’s part of StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community and is making waves with a radically different approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease — using radio waves. What started as a research study to prove that cell phones cause brain cancer led to an unexpected breakthrough: the very same radio frequencies used in phones appeared to improve brain health in mice with Alzheimer’s. The discovery sparked a scientific journey that has since included promising human trials, FDA Breakthrough Device designation, partnerships, and progress towards bringing this non-invasive, affordable, at-home therapy to millions. Papageorgiou shares how NeuroEM’s wearable headset is helping untangle the brain’s toxic proteins, the science behind this counterintuitive tech, and why the impact could rival — or even surpass — that of current Alzheimer’s drugs. If you're looking for an inspiring story about accidental genius ideas, bold leadership, and breakthrough innovation in brain health, this one’s a must-listen.



Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit. » Learn more and apply today. Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

AI has been quietly transforming healthcare for years, but the arrival of ChatGPT changed the game. Suddenly, everyone—from patients to investors—could see the real-world impact of AI in making healthcare more efficient and accessible. One company leading this transformation is Mediktor, a pioneer in AI-powered symptom assessment. Before AI had its cultural moment, Mediktor—a member of the StartUp Health community since 2016—was already using it to help stratify patients and guide them to the right level of care. Now, they’re growing rapidly and shaping the future of AI in healthcare. In this episode, we chat with Cristian Pascual, CEO & Co-founder of Mediktor, to discuss:

The evolution of AI in healthcare and why it’s accelerating now How Mediktor’s AI-driven symptom assessment is improving patient care The challenges of AI in healthcare, including LLMs, "black-box" models, and hallucinations Why a hybrid AI approach—combining automation with human safeguards—is the future

As AI continues to shape healthcare, companies must balance innovation with accuracy. Pascual shares insights on how to harness AI’s power while ensuring reliability and trust. Tune in to explore the next wave of AI in healthcare—and what it means for patients, providers, and the industry at large.



Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit. » Learn more and apply today. Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

We all know light therapy can brighten our mood, especially for those battling depression or seasonal affective disorder. But what if light could do so much more? In this week's episode of StartUp Health NOW, we dive deep into the revolutionary work of StartUp Health community member Mai Nguyen, PhD, CEO & Co-founder of Optoceutics. Forget what you think you know about light therapy. Nguyen and her team are pioneering a new frontier, demonstrating how precisely delivered light, through the eyes, can actually reprogram brain waves. This isn't just about mood enhancement; it's about potentially slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Join us for a fascinating conversation with Nguyen, a Berkeley researcher turned entrepreneur, as she discusses her groundbreaking device, currently marketed as a wellness tool, but with profound clinical aspirations. Discover how her collaboration with engineers in Copenhagen has led to a novel technology that's already making waves. This episode will challenge your perception of the lights around you and illuminate the future of brain health. Get ready to have your mind blown!



Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit. » Learn more and apply today. Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

Imagine this: 73 million Americans are over 65. Among them, 10-20% experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a potential precursor to Alzheimer’s. Yet their primary care doctors, with only 14 minutes per patient, lack the time for crucial neurological screenings. This is a critical gap in our healthcare system, especially as groundbreaking Alzheimer's research and therapies emerge, making early detection more vital than ever. That’s where Cx Precision Medicine comes in. In this episode, we sit down with Sid O’Bryant, PhD, and Danguole Altman, the team behind CxPM, a company in the StartUp Health Alzheimer's Moonshot Community working to revolutionize early cognitive screening with a simple blood test. Their innovative diagnostic tool is designed to detect neurodegenerative diseases earlier, ensuring patients get the right care at the right time.



O’Bryant's extensive research, now commercialized by Altman's leadership, offers a powerful tool for personalized care, enabling earlier, more accurate diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases. We'll dive into their unique journeys, the science behind their innovative blood test, and how it's poised to transform patient care.   









Discover how Cx Precision Medicine is empowering patients to get the right care at the right time, streamlining the diagnostic process and ultimately, improving lives. Join us as we explore the future of Alzheimer's detection and the hope it brings. Let's get into it!



Are you ready to tell YOUR story? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. Exposure in StartUp Health Media to our global audience of investors and partners – including our podcast, newsletters, magazine, and YouTube channel – is a benefit of our Health Moonshot Community Membership. To schedule a call and see if you qualify to join and increase brand awareness through our multi-media storytelling efforts, submit our three-minute application. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit. » Learn more and apply today. Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.