Care Shift

vik.bilakanti
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Daily

Care Shift, hosted by Sathvik Bilakanti, takes you inside the real world of healthtech innovation, venture capital, and company-building. Each episode features unfiltered conversations with the founders and investors shaping the future of care—breaking down how they raised capital, found product-market fit, navigated failure, and built companies that endure. Listeners learn exactly what top VCs are looking for in healthtech startups, along with tactical, step-by-step insight that early builders can immediately apply. The Care Shift also opens the doors to the venture ecosystem itself, with lea

  1. How Assort Health Automated 190 Million+ Patient Calls (And Why EMRs Can't Catch Up)

    7h ago

    How Assort Health Automated 190 Million+ Patient Calls (And Why EMRs Can't Catch Up)

    Most healthcare front desks are still overwhelmed by manual work and outdated call routing, but Imaad Rashied reveals how AI is transforming this bottleneck into a revenue-generating, patient-centric engine. Imagine a world where referrals are booked in minutes, patient holds drop from 11 minutes to less than one, and staff are freed up to focus on care navigation instead of repetitive tasks. That future isn’t just possible—it's already happening with Assort’s innovative platform. In this episode, Imaad shares how AI-driven automation is dramatically reducing patient frustration, increasing operational efficiency, and unlocking new revenue streams. You'll discover: How Assort’s AI shortens hold times from 11 to under a minute, boosting patient satisfaction and loyalty The concrete ROI metrics that make AI solutions irresistible to CFOs, from capacity expansion to referral conversion increases The nuanced strategies to navigate complex healthcare procurement and secure buy-in from skeptical health system executives The importance of vertical specialization in healthcare AI, handling complexities from orthopedics to neurology with expert precision How proactive outreach powered by AI can close the care gap before patients even realize there's a need Why does all of this matter? Because in today’s fiercely competitive healthcare landscape, the ability to streamline access and enhance patient experience directly impacts both top-line growth and bottom-line sustainability. Fail to adapt, and you risk losing patients to competitors with better access strategies—something no healthcare executive wants. Perfect for founders aiming to crack the healthcare big leagues, health system leaders seeking proven ROI, and anyone curious about the future of AI in healthcare operations. Imaad’s insights shed light on how to build a scalable, automated patient access engine that's tailored, trustworthy, and ready to lead tomorrow’s healthcare. Timestamps 00:19 Revolutionizing Patient Interactions with AI 00:19 The Impact of Automation on Healthcare Efficiency 00:49 The Journey into AI in Healthcare 00:49 Building AI Automation in Health Systems 01:03 Introduction to Imad's Insights 01:03 Key Learnings from Imad's Experience 01:09 Revolutionizing Patient Interactions with AI 01:09 The Impact of Automation on Healthcare Efficiency 01:09 The Patient Experience with AI in Healthcare 03:49 Financial Implications of Patient Experience 06:39 Scaling AI Solutions in Health Systems 08:51 Demonstrating ROI to Health Systems 11:34 Navigating CFO Concerns and Attribution 14:06 Building Relationships and Finding Champions 16:35 Lessons from Previous Experiences 19:26 Command Centers vs. Perioperative Care 21:57 Accelerating Sales Cycles in Healthcare 24:45 Competing with Established Incumbents 27:22 Vertical vs. Horizontal Solutions in Healthcare 33:21 The Importance of Specialization in Healthcare AI 35:39 Integration and Workflow Management in Health Systems 38:12 Proactive Patient Engagement with AI 40:44 Building Trust in AI Interactions 43:31 Competition and Consolidation in Healthcare AI 48:45 Successes and Failures of AI in Healthcare 50:34 The Future of AI in Healthcare Operations 53:54 Advice for Founders in Healthcare Technology Follow Sathvik on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169 Follow Vaelion Ventures on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/115124532/admin/dashboard/ Follow Care Shift on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/110446420/admin/dashboard/ Vaelion Ventures Website: https://www.vaelion.vc/ Follow Imaad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imaad-rashied/ Follow Assort Health on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/assorthealth/ Assort Health Website: https://www.assorthealth.com/

    59 min
  2. The $85M Medicare Mandate Most Health Systems Don't Know How to Navigate (This Startup Does)

    Jun 24

    The $85M Medicare Mandate Most Health Systems Don't Know How to Navigate (This Startup Does)

    Most healthcare startups get stuck in long sales cycles, but Rainfall Health’s co-founder Eddie Qureshi reveals how they effortlessly compress multi-year contracts into under two weeks—and how to transform healthcare delivery with the right product mindset. If you're tired of the bureaucratic friction stalling innovation, this episode exposes the framework behind their success: building end-to-end, product-led solutions that meet health system priorities and accelerate revenue streams. Eddie walks us through Rainfall’s pivot from traditional telehealth to a full-fledged compliance and care coordination platform, spearheading the shift to mandated value-based models like CMS’s team program. You'll discover how aligning incentives, building trusted relationships with executives, and embedding operational standards from day one create rapid sales cycles and measurable outcomes. We break down the importance of personalizing pitches for each stakeholder—CFOs, CEOs, clinicians—and why becoming an industry insider is the key to unlocking key champions. This episode dives into how Rainfall’s risk-sharing business model—investing first, charging later—aligns their success directly with that of their partners. You’ll learn how their AI-enabled care design and human-in-the-loop approach improve patient engagement, reduce costs, and deliver data-driven care in real time. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or healthcare executive, Eddie’s insights challenge conventional wisdom—showing that the future of healthcare lies in integrated solutions that are built for speed, trust, and tangible impact. Perfect for founders navigating long sales cycles, health systems pushing for innovation, or anyone interested in the future of patient-centered care—this is the blueprint for transforming healthcare from fragmented to fast, flexible, and outcome-focused. Timestamps 00:09 Introduction to Rainfall Health and Its Mission 00:09 The Impact of CMS Value-Based Mandates on Healthcare AI 00:09 Navigating Challenges in Healthcare AI Implementation 00:20 Overview of Healthcare Revenue Opportunities 00:20 Challenges in the Healthcare System 00:46 Introduction to Rainfall's Impact on Healthcare 00:46 Integration with Hospitals and Patient Care 03:25 Challenges in Building a Healthcare Product 06:17 Understanding the TEAM Model and Its Importance 09:00 Revenue Implications of Non-Compliance 11:33 Navigating the First Customer Acquisition 14:28 Revenue Standards and Patient Engagement 17:04 Vision for Healthcare in 2019 vs. 2024 19:42 Understanding Stakeholder Needs 22:32 Maintaining Customer Relationships 25:28 Compressing Sales Cycles in Healthcare 28:03 Diligence and Operational Frameworks 28:27 Building Trust and Business Models 30:31 Navigating Medicare and Patient Engagement 33:15 AI in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges 36:38 Human in the Loop: Balancing AI and Care 41:01 Founder's Perspective: Insights from the Investor Side43:17 Rural Health: Bridging the Gap 46:16 Avoiding Consolidation: Strategies for Success 47:18 Cultural Differences in Healthcare Innovation 49:33 Understanding Healthcare Gaps: Urban vs Rural 51:23 Lessons from Diligence and Investor Insights Follow Sathvik on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169 Follow Sathvik on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169Follow Vaelion Ventures on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vael...Follow Care Shift on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/care...Vaelion Ventures Website: https://www.vaelion.vc/Eddie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-eddie-qureshi?skipRedirect=true&miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAABhuUuEBLmz-YBl7ije915Vi-aRWaQspZ_M Rainfall Health's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainfall-health/ Rainfall Health Website: https://www.rainfallhealth.com/

    56 min
  3. The Massive Bet Behind One of the Most Ambitious AI Drug Companies Ever Built | Iambic

    Jun 17

    The Massive Bet Behind One of the Most Ambitious AI Drug Companies Ever Built | Iambic

    Most AI companies claim they're revolutionizing drug discovery. Very few have actually put a molecule they designed into a human being and watched it work.Tom Miller, co-founder and CEO of Iambic, did exactly that. Starting with no drug development track record and a contrarian bet that AI-native biotechs should build the drugs themselves rather than sell tools to pharma, Tom built a huge clinical-stage company that got a cancer drug from concept to patient responses in just 3.5 years — three times faster than the industry average.If you're a founder building in deep tech, biotech, or any space where the science is hard and the timeline is long, this episode will completely reframe how you think about betting on yourself before you have the credentials to do it.We break down how Tom went from Caltech professor to biotech CEO with no traditional pharma background, why he rejected the easy partnership model that every other AI drug company was chasing, what it actually felt like the moment their AI-designed molecule showed real responses in cancer patients, the real bottlenecks in AI drug discovery that have nothing to do with the model or the compute, and why his single biggest piece of advice for founders is to never look for the cheap win.Timestamps00:00 The Evolution of AI in Drug Discovery02:45 Iambic's Unique Approach to AI Tools05:16 Contrarian Bets in Biotech Startups09:20 Scaling Laws in Biology and AI09:20 The Future of AI in Drug Development09:20 Scaling Laws in AI and Drug Discovery10:53 Bridging Benchmarks and Real-World Applications13:11 The Journey from Discovery to Clinical Trials16:25 The Role of AI in Accelerating Drug Development18:20 Navigating Target Selection and Validation20:44 The Impact of AI on Workforce Dynamics23:39 Partnerships and Collaborations in Biotech26:07 Building a Technology-Driven Biotech Company28:47 Storytelling and Investor Relations in Biotech31:34 Common Pitfalls for Biotech Founders34:13 The Future of AI in Drug DiscoveryFollow Sathvik on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169Follow Vaelion Ventures on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaelionventures/?viewAsMember=trueFollow Care Shift on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-shift/?viewAsMember=trueVaelion Ventures Website: https://www.vaelion.vc/Tom Miller's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thomas-miller-322a8521/?skipRedirect=trueIambic's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iambic-ai/posts/?feedView=allIambic's Website: https://www.iambic.ai/

    41 min
  4. How to Brand a Healthcare Startup | Ex-Facebook Marketer & Sidecar Health CMO Kevin Knight

    Jun 10

    How to Brand a Healthcare Startup | Ex-Facebook Marketer & Sidecar Health CMO Kevin Knight

    Most healthcare startups miss their chance by undervaluing brand-building early on. Kevin Knight reveals how crafting a bold, human-centered brand can transform perception, trust, and growth—especially in one of the most regulated, complex industries. If you’re a founder or operator in healthcare or any deeply regulated space, ignoring the power of your brand can leave you invisible in a crowded market. Kevin shares the behind-the-scenes strategies that turn basics into trust, from visual identity to messaging that cuts through complexity and regulation. Discover how Sidecar’s bold approach to transparency, human connection, and customer experience is setting a new standard for insurance—and why similar principles can unlock your growth. We break down: How Kevin’s experience at Facebook and Pinterest shaped his approach to healthcare marketing The critical difference between good enough and perfect branding at different growth stages Why founder personality is your most powerful brand asset—if you understand how to harness it The role of transparency and human-centric communication in unseating legacy competitors How regulations influence, but do not restrict, compelling brand storytelling Timestamps 00:00 From Tech to Healthcare: A Journey of Purpose 01:12 The Puzzle of Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities 03:54 Innovating Health Insurance: The Sidecar Approach 06:18 Building a Brand: The Role of Founders 08:27 Navigating Distribution: Insights for Startups 11:10 AI in Marketing: Standing Out in a Crowded Space 13:38 Healthcare Marketing: Breaking the Mold 16:11 Branding in a Regulated Environment: The Sidecar Strategy 18:39 The Future of Health Insurance: A New Paradigm 33:12 Branding Mistakes to Avoid 36:41 The Importance of Partnerships in Marketing 41:55 Price Transparency in Healthcare 46:15 The Role of AI in Marketing 50:12 Human Connection in the Age of AI 52:19 Hiring for Marketing: CMO vs. Generalist 54:24 The Future of Health Insurance Models 57:26 Rapid Fire Insights on Marketing Follow Sathvik on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169 Follow Vaelion Ventures on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vael... Follow Care Shift on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care... Care Shift Website: https://careshift.vc/ Vaelion Ventures Website: https://www.vaelion.vc/ Kevin Knight's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kevinjknight/?skipRedirect=true Sidecar Health Website: https://www.sidecarhealth.com/

    1h 6m
  5. "Time Is Your Greatest Enemy": Sam Toole on Investing in Healthcare

    Jun 3

    "Time Is Your Greatest Enemy": Sam Toole on Investing in Healthcare

    Unlocking Healthcare Innovation: Insights from Sam Toole, Partner at Primary Venture PartnersIn this episode, we explore the journey of Sam Toole—from college surf schools to leading healthcare investments at Primary Venture Partners. Sam shares his operator experience, the nuances of healthcare sales cycles, and how his background shapes his approach to investing in groundbreaking healthtech startups.Timestamps00:00 Entrepreneurial Beginnings: Surf School and E-commerce02:52 Lessons from Nomad Health: Sales and Market Dynamics05:34 Transitioning to Venture Capital: Insights from Operating Experience08:23 Evaluating Founders: The Importance of Market Understanding10:49 ROI in Healthcare: Navigating Metrics and Value Propositions13:49 Building Relationships: The Role of Champions in Sales16:21 Identifying End Users: Understanding Stakeholder Dynamics19:05 Exceptional Founders: Characteristics and Market Fit22:05 Primary's Unique Approach: Supporting Founders in Early Stages24:37 Healthcare Thesis: Evolving Perspectives and Lessons Learned27:15 Navigating Regulatory Challenges: Time as an Enemy30:54 Understanding Primary's Investment Funds34:31 Identifying Winning Founders and Market Opportunities36:02 Future of Healthcare: Clinical Innovations37:35 Regulatory Challenges in Healthcare Startups40:09 The Role of Pilots in Healthcare Ventures41:40 Navigating Payer Relationships in Healthcare46:05 The Future of Primary's Healthcare Portfolio49:32 Non-Obvious Moves for Healthcare Founders50:40 Rapid Fire Insights with SamFollow Sathvik on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169Follow Vaelion Ventures on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaelionventures/?viewAsMember=trueFollow Care Shift on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-shift/?viewAsMember=trueFollow Sam Toole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtoole/?skipRedirect=trueFollow Primary Venture Partners on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primary-venture-partners/Care Shift Website: https://careshift.vc/Vaelion Ventures Website: https://www.vaelion.vc/Primary Venture Partners Website: https://www.primary.vc/

    54 min
  6. Inside the $100M Venture Studio Reshaping Healthcare AI with John Beadle, Managing Director of Aegis Ventures

    May 27

    Inside the $100M Venture Studio Reshaping Healthcare AI with John Beadle, Managing Director of Aegis Ventures

    This episode dives into how venture studios are transforming healthcare innovation, with John Beadle sharing how Aegis Ventures leverages partnerships, industry relationships, and a flexible playbook to create impactful health tech companies. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or healthcare leader, discover the strategies shaping the next wave of healthcare solutions.In this episode:The rationale behind founding a healthcare-focused venture studio versus traditional venture capital How Aegis built a strong partnership with Northwell Health and expanded with multiple systems The process of identifying and co-developing startups from scratch and the importance of trust The role of industry relationships and reputation in recruiting top-tier talent Differentiating between features, tools, and full company opportunities in health tech The significance of regulatory moats and data-driven branding as competitive advantages How health systems can evaluate startups for ROI and meaningful impact The potential for AI to address clinical challenges beyond administrative costs Building portfolio companies to coexist with giants like Epic and mitigate competitive risks Future trends in healthcare IPOs, private companies, and the evolving market landscape Timestamps:00:07 - Why venture studios are a game-changer in healthcare innovation02:40 - The evolution of Northwell partnership to a broad health system network04:13 - How Aegis co-develops startups from zero with health system insights15:53 - Recruiting top health tech talent using the Aegis brand and networks17:21 - Features versus full-scale companies in health tech problem sets19:46 - The importance of regulatory pathways and biomarkers in healthcare startups23:33 - How health systems and startups can collaborate for proven ROI44:14 - The increasing impact of AI in clinical decision-making and workflow53:06 - Coexisting with Epic and large incumbents in healthcare tech55:31 - Trends in public listings and private acquisitions for digital health firms56:44 - Rapid fire: Markets with high potential and underestimated moats57:22 - Changing perceptions: The critical role of trust in scaling healthcare solutions57:41 - Advice ignored: Launching Aegis despite the challengesMore on SathvikLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169Care Shift: https://careshift.vc/Vaelion Ventures: https://www.vaelion.vc/More on John & Aegis VenturesJohn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpbeadle/Aegis Ventures Website: https://aegisventures.com/Aegis Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aegisventures/posts/?feedView=allAegis's approach exemplifies how carefully curated partnerships, industry trust, and a robust portfolio playbook allow healthcare venture studios to scale impactful innovations faster and more efficiently. As AI matures, the emphasis on regulatory moats and proven outcomes will be essential for startups aiming to differentiate in a crowded market.

    58 min
  7. The Future of Employer Health Insurance with Ty Wang, Co-Founder of Angle Health

    May 20

    The Future of Employer Health Insurance with Ty Wang, Co-Founder of Angle Health

    Learn about the integration of AI in creating real-time, custom health plans and how Angle Health is revolutionizing patient care. Explore the challenges and opportunities in healthcare data, the role of AI in enhancing medical insights, and the importance of strategic partnerships in driving innovation. Main Insights: AI's Transformative Power: AI is revolutionizing healthcare by improving data integration and patient care.Investment in Innovation: Angle Health leverages high-quality data to drive breakthroughs in medical research. Strategic Integration: Successful AI integration requires collaboration with healthcare providers and embedding technology into existing workflows. Global Perspectives: The interconnected nature of global healthcare offers valuable lessons in innovation and data sharing. Challenges and Opportunities: Navigating data privacy, regulatory, and societal acceptance issues remains crucial for AI's Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Angle Health and Market Positioning 03:35 Competitive Advantages of Angle Health 05:51 Innovative Quoting and Implementation Process 08:43 Sales Cycle and Broker Relationships 11:12 Building a Full Stack Health Plan 13:43 Adopting AI and Modern Technology 16:24 Personal Motivations Behind Angle Health 18:59 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19 21:22 Employee Trust and Company Culture 23:52 Management Style and Team Dynamics 26:04 Differentiation in the Health Plan Market 28:43 Unit Economics and Scaling Challenges 31:41 Operational Efficiency and Unit Economics 33:47 Building a Regulated Company 35:27 Sales Strategies for Health Plans 37:28 Broker Relationships and Value Proposition 39:29 AI Integration in Healthcare 41:38 Medicare's Influence on Commercial Plans 43:55 Cost Pressures and Market Opportunities 46:59 Member Experience and Advocacy 49:32 Future Vision for Angle Health 51:39 Go-to-Market Strategy Evolution More on Sathvik LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169 Care Shift: https://careshift.vc/ Vaelion Ventures: https://www.vaelion.vc/ More on Ty and Angle Health Ty's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyw/ Angle Health Website: https://www.anglehealth.com/ Angle Health LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anglehealth/

    59 min
  8. 150M Patients, $16M Raised: How SEQSTER Is Fixing Healthcare's Data Problem with Ardy Arianpour

    May 13

    150M Patients, $16M Raised: How SEQSTER Is Fixing Healthcare's Data Problem with Ardy Arianpour

    Discover how AI is reshaping healthcare with Ardy Arianpour, founder and CEO of SEQSTER. Learn about the integration of AI in patient-centric interoperability, transforming fragmented health records into a unified platform. Explore the challenges and opportunities in healthcare data, the role of AI in enhancing medical insights, and the importance of strategic partnerships in driving innovation. Main Insights: AI's Transformative Power: AI is revolutionizing healthcare by improving data integration and patient care. Investment in Innovation: SEQSTER leverages high-quality data to drive breakthroughs in medical research. Strategic Integration: Successful AI integration requires collaboration with healthcare providers and embedding technology into existing workflows .Global Perspectives: The interconnected nature of global healthcare offers valuable lessons in innovation and data sharing. Challenges and Opportunities: Navigating data privacy, regulatory, and societal acceptance issues remains crucial for AI's integration. Timestamps 00:00 The Rise of Patient-Centric Interoperability 03:02 SEQSTER's Role in Healthcare Data 05:30 Navigating B2B Challenges in Healthcare 08:28 The Impact of AI on Healthcare Solutions 11:05 Surviving and Thriving in the Startup World 13:51 The Future of B2C in Healthcare 16:27 Understanding Metrics and Growth 19:14 The Ongoing Challenge of Data Fragmentation 21:54 Building Trust and Delivering Value 24:16 The Evolution of Seekster's Business Model 31:58 Interoperability Challenges in Healthcare 34:45 Navigating the Healthcare Startup Landscape 36:46 Data Harmonization and AI Integration 42:06 Compliance and Regulatory Considerations 47:23 Transforming Clinical Trials with AI 50:05 Advice for Founders in Data Interoperability 53:40 The Future of Healthcare and Personal Motivation More on Sathvik LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sathvik-bilakanti-8b5344169 Care Shift: https://careshift.vc/ Vaelion Ventures: https://www.vaelion.vc/ More on Ardy & SEQSTER Ardy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardyarianpour/ SEQSTER LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seqster/ SEQSTER Website: https://seqster.com/

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Care Shift, hosted by Sathvik Bilakanti, takes you inside the real world of healthtech innovation, venture capital, and company-building. Each episode features unfiltered conversations with the founders and investors shaping the future of care—breaking down how they raised capital, found product-market fit, navigated failure, and built companies that endure. Listeners learn exactly what top VCs are looking for in healthtech startups, along with tactical, step-by-step insight that early builders can immediately apply. The Care Shift also opens the doors to the venture ecosystem itself, with lea

Information

  • Creator
    vik.bilakanti
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © vik.bilakanti
  • Show Website
    Care Shift