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?
LAUNCH is an AcceleratorPLUS.  While we will cover many of the usual topics around the blocking and tackling of building and funding a company, LAUNCH directly adds value to founders with:

  • 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.
How do I afford the program fee?
The program fee is paid from the Caduceus LAUNCH initial investment.
I need customer and investor introductions. Is this part of the program?
Introductions are not guaranteed through LAUNCH. However, the program is designed to prepare founders for when strategic introductions are made by Caduceus Capital Partners.
How do I access the programming and resources if my company is not located in Nashville?
Only the first week is held as an in-person group meeting in Nashville. Other than that, there are no geographic limitations for US-based companies.
Our company is based outside the US. Can we participate?
LAUNCH will consider applications from non-US based companies but require that you have a US office, presence, and an appropriate product.
We have a biotech or pharma product. Can we participate?
The program is not a fit for you.
We have a medical device. Can we participate?
Possibly, and these will be evaluated as a fit with our investment strategy. The lines between digital health and medical devices continue to blur.
Is attendance and engagement required?
Some aspects of the program will require attendance! However, the program is designed to accommodate a founder’s busy schedule.