FAQ
What to Expect
Caduceus Launch is a bespoke program that engages pre-seed digital health companies to guide, focus, and accelerate them to a successful entry into a highly complex and competitive healthcare market. The companies selected for the cohort will have a Minimal Viable Product which can serve providers, payers, employers, and/or consumers. It must be a product or service that has digital health as the underlying enabler.
Each cohort will begin with an intensive first week on site in Nashville with Caduceus leadership and faculty. We recognize that companies and their founders are unique and the remaining 11 weeks are virtual and tailored to meet your specific needs. Our focus is to prepare you for a successful LAUNCH.
At the conclusion of the 12 weeks, each company will have a clear plan for further development and growth including a path to secure additional financing. Caduceus LAUNCH will offer the opportunity for ongoing mentoring and introductions. Finally, select companies will progress to additional funding from Caduceus Capital and other investors.
Terms
- Typical investment: $150K via a SAFE
- Valuation Cap: $2M
- Services Fee: $50K for access to accelerator resources
- 7.5% Equity
- Potential Series Seed capital raise from Caduceus Capital Partners: Up to $1M through Fund II
- Additional follow-on investment potential from Fund II and Fund II SPVs
FAQ
What is the Caduceus LAUNCH curriculum?
Caduceus LAUNCH content explores themes including:
- Team & Talent: Hiring, equity strategy, leadership coaching, and early organizational design.
- Fundraising & Financials: Pitch development, cap table structure, budgeting, valuation, and investor outreach.
- Marketing & Brand Building: Founder storytelling, thought leadership, and visibility strategy.
- Market & Customer Strategy: Payer/provider segmentation, go-to-market planning, pilot design, and sales enablement.
- Technology & Compliance: Product development strategy, electronic health record integration, HIPAA/SOC 2 readiness, and SaaS/FDA considerations.
- AI & Emerging Technologies: Deployment in clinical settings, responsible AI, and compliance in healthcare AI.
Our learning approach includes:
- Live, interactive sessions led by seasoned experts
- Ongoing support and electives
- 1:1 mentorship and insights from the extensive Caduceus network
- Case-based learning and peer forums
- Fireside Chats with successful digital health founders
- Online content library and founder collaboration tools
What can I expect from the Caduceus LAUNCH experience?
Caduceus LAUNCH is a 12-week hybrid accelerator for digital health startups, designed to equip founders with the strategic insight, operational tools, and healthcare-specific expertise necessary to scale. Each session is led by experienced operators, investors, or industry leaders, blending real-world insights with tactical frameworks. The program begins with an in-person kickoff week and continues with weekly virtual sessions, mentoring, and elective deep dives tailored to individual company needs.
Week 1: On-Site Kickoff
Core Topics
- U.S. Healthcare Landscape & Stakeholder Mapping
- Building and Leading a Startup Team
- Market Fit and Business Model Design
- Health Tech Infrastructure, Compliance, and Interoperability
- Minimum Viable Product Development
- Marketing and Thought Leadership
- Fundraising in Digital Health
- Managing the Legal Function in Startups
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Exit Strategy and Strategic Growth
- Pitch Deck Fundamentals
- Regulatory and Compliance
Activity Sessions
- Business Model Canvas Workshop
- External VC Panels
- Fireside Chats with Caduceus Portfolio Entrepreneurs
- Pitch Workshop
- Networking Meals with Peers and Mentors
Weeks 2-12: Virtual Programming
Weekly Sessions on Elective Topics Including:
- Technology and Product Strategy
- Understanding the Provider Landscape
- Business Model Validation & Healthcare Marketing and Positioning
- Building and Managing a Scalable Sales Engine
- Digital Health Compliance & Regulatory Strategy
- Hiring, Structuring, and Retaining Your Team
- Startup Finance Fundamentals
- Responsible AI in Healthcare
- Go To Market Strategy & Customer Acquisition
- Fundraising Strategy & Investor Readiness
- Healthcare Sales & Strategic Partnerships
- Dedicated Mentor Engagement with Tailored, Actionable Feedback
What makes Caduceus LAUNCH different from other programs?
- Access to the Caduceus Venture Partners who have decades of experience in strategy, operations, and technology in real world healthcare.
- Access to a deep and wide network of health systems, payers, and technology-based companies to help pressure test your solutions and build revenue.
- An opportunity for further funding from Caduceus Capital.
- An ongoing relationship for coaching and mentoring after the formal 12-week program.
- Program flexibility to leverage the vision and past experiences of founders to provide the highest potential for a successful LAUNCH.