Provider's Edge | Peak Performance Guide for Healthcare Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship
The healthcare industry is in a state of flux, with new technologies, regulations, and challenges emerging all the time. Healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders face an uphill battle, competing with established players in the industry while striving to make a positive impact. The Provider's Edge is a podcast that recognizes these challenges and aims to provide a roadmap for success. Sabrina Runbeck, the host of Provider's Edge podcast, has first-hand experience with the challenges facing healthcare entrepreneurs. As a Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Associate with more than 12 years of experience in public health and neuroscience, she has seen the toll that burnout and other obstacles can take on healthcare professionals. After overcoming burnout herself, Sabrina took a career pivot, leveraging public speaking to share her true mission. Sabrina believes that changemakers in healthcare do not burn out because they want to do less. They want to do more of what they love and be seen and appreciated. She is passionate about helping healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders break free from the traditional healthcare model and creates a business that not only generates income but also has a positive social impact. In each episode of Provider's Edge, Sabrina and her guests provide valuable insights and actionable tips to help healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders overcome the common obstacles that they face. They provide guidance on improving operational efficiency, reducing provider fatigue, increasing access to meet patient expectations, and introducing the next generation of healthcare innovators who are truly making a difference. Sabrina and her guests are experts in their field and have a wealth of knowledge to share. They provide real-world examples and practical advice that you can implement right away to transform your business. The Provider's Edge podcast is the perfect podcast for healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders who want to make a difference in the world. As a healthcare business owner, you can have it all - an efficient team, clients who feel well cared for, and reclaim an extra day per week. Sabrina and her guests will guide you through the process of rewriting the rules for your business so you can have more time off, a great team, and more income. They will help you break down the barriers that are holding you back and show you how to take control of your business, your life, and your future. In addition to the podcast, Sabrina runs a monthly event called "Healthcare Disruptors Think Tank," which is a collaborative networking event that brings together healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders to share ideas and insights. Sabrina believes that collaboration is key to success in the healthcare industry, and she is passionate about building relationships and sharing knowledge. Podcast speaking has become one of the most effective ways for healthcare entrepreneurs to scale their businesses in today's world. The Provider's Edge podcast provides a platform for entrepreneurs to share their expertise, build credibility, and connect with a wider audience. Sabrina understands the importance of leveraging podcast speaking to scale your business, and she encourages healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders to embrace this platform. The Provider's Edge is the perfect podcast for healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders who want to make a difference in the world. Join Sabrina and her guests to discuss the smartest strategies for scaling your business and creating a positive social impact in the healthcare industry. Start listening today and take your healthcare business to the next level! For more information about the podcast or Sabrina Runbeck visit SabrinaRunbeck.com
Location:
United States
Genres:
Entrepreneurship
Description:
The healthcare industry is in a state of flux, with new technologies, regulations, and challenges emerging all the time. Healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders face an uphill battle, competing with established players in the industry while striving to make a positive impact. The Provider's Edge is a podcast that recognizes these challenges and aims to provide a roadmap for success. Sabrina Runbeck, the host of Provider's Edge podcast, has first-hand experience with the challenges facing healthcare entrepreneurs. As a Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Associate with more than 12 years of experience in public health and neuroscience, she has seen the toll that burnout and other obstacles can take on healthcare professionals. After overcoming burnout herself, Sabrina took a career pivot, leveraging public speaking to share her true mission. Sabrina believes that changemakers in healthcare do not burn out because they want to do less. They want to do more of what they love and be seen and appreciated. She is passionate about helping healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders break free from the traditional healthcare model and creates a business that not only generates income but also has a positive social impact. In each episode of Provider's Edge, Sabrina and her guests provide valuable insights and actionable tips to help healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders overcome the common obstacles that they face. They provide guidance on improving operational efficiency, reducing provider fatigue, increasing access to meet patient expectations, and introducing the next generation of healthcare innovators who are truly making a difference. Sabrina and her guests are experts in their field and have a wealth of knowledge to share. They provide real-world examples and practical advice that you can implement right away to transform your business. The Provider's Edge podcast is the perfect podcast for healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders who want to make a difference in the world. As a healthcare business owner, you can have it all - an efficient team, clients who feel well cared for, and reclaim an extra day per week. Sabrina and her guests will guide you through the process of rewriting the rules for your business so you can have more time off, a great team, and more income. They will help you break down the barriers that are holding you back and show you how to take control of your business, your life, and your future. In addition to the podcast, Sabrina runs a monthly event called "Healthcare Disruptors Think Tank," which is a collaborative networking event that brings together healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders to share ideas and insights. Sabrina believes that collaboration is key to success in the healthcare industry, and she is passionate about building relationships and sharing knowledge. Podcast speaking has become one of the most effective ways for healthcare entrepreneurs to scale their businesses in today's world. The Provider's Edge podcast provides a platform for entrepreneurs to share their expertise, build credibility, and connect with a wider audience. Sabrina understands the importance of leveraging podcast speaking to scale your business, and she encourages healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders to embrace this platform. The Provider's Edge is the perfect podcast for healthcare entrepreneurs and startup founders who want to make a difference in the world. Join Sabrina and her guests to discuss the smartest strategies for scaling your business and creating a positive social impact in the healthcare industry. Start listening today and take your healthcare business to the next level! For more information about the podcast or Sabrina Runbeck visit SabrinaRunbeck.com
Language:
English
Website:
https://SabrinaRunbeck.com
Episodes
Do You Need to Go Viral to Grow with Nathan Bowser
2/11/2026
“𝘎𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘭” feels like progress.
But most founders confuse attention with traction.
Nathan said it best—
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁.
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆’𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.
Yet I keep hearing the same story.
“We had a TikTok blow-up.” or “We got thousands of likes.”
Silence when I ask, “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙?”
In healthtech especially, virality can actually hurt you.
In this episode of Provider’s Edge, I sat down with product strategist and media builder Nathan Bowser , founder of Awesome Future, to break down one of the biggest traps founders fall into—confusing attention with traction.
We talked about why chasing likes can quietly stall your company, how category leadership is actually built, and why awards, pitch competitions, and message discipline matter far more than trending sounds.
If you’ve ever thought, “We’re getting visibility… so why isn’t this converting?” — this conversation is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why virality is usually a distraction—not a go-to-market strategy
How to identify the 10–20 relationships that actually move your company forward
before they write checks
seen, heard, and understood on video
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
Who Do Investors Trust More — Heroes or Guides? - A deep look at how founders should shape their pitch and narrative to earn trust and warm investor support focusing on clarity, positioning, and meaningful alignment rather than noise.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-do-investors-trust-more-heroes-or-guides/id1520028468?i=1000733284280 How Do the Best FemTech Startup Pitches Win Investors? - Showcases real live pitches and breaks down what investors actually listen for — clear positioning, strong problem definition, concise narrative — not just attention.https://open.spotify.com/episode/3tSbdBV6VDc3V2l2M1aOpJ?si=2d567108e0424fb9 Why Do So Many HealthTech Startups Stall After Early Traction? - Explores why early traction doesn’t always lead to growth, especially when the team lacks clarity on systems, people, and partnerships aligning tightly with the “clarity over virality” theme.https://youtu.be/b_bpQGbP8D0
🚀 Ready to Scale Without Losing Trust—or Time?
If you're building momentum but still not closing the contracts, capital, or margins you know you're capable of, here are 3 ways we can help today:
Duration:00:40:12
Why Employees Leave with Faith Rose
2/4/2026
Duration:00:27:37
Why Fundraising Feels Harder—and What Founders Are Missing With Claire Smith
1/28/2026
Most founders think fundraising is harder because the market changed.
That’s not the full story.
In this episode, I sat down with Claire Smith to unpack what investors are actually listening for right now—and why clarity, not confidence, is the signal that still moves capital.
If you’ve been told to “just keep pitching” while checks feel slower, this conversation will help you see where the real disconnect is—and how to fix it.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why capital hasn’t disappeared—but tolerance for vagueness has
What investors really mean when they say they’re backing “strong operators”
How unclear use-of-funds quietly kills trust (even with traction)
Why bridge rounds without a value inflection point erode momentum
What differentiates founders who raise consistently from those who stall
Why women-led founders don’t need permission—they need proximity and networks
This isn’t about perfect decks or louder pitches.
It’s about showing investors how you think, decide, and deploy capital—clearly.
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
Why Most HealthTech Solutions Fail: The Hidden Gap Between Innovation and Implementation – This episode digs into the common pitfalls that healthtech founders face (particularly in scaling and market fit).
Is Your Startup Built on Swiss Cheese? with George Pappas – A strong fit because it explores structural weaknesses in startups (teams, roles, funding) that align directly with what we unpacked with MyPhuong.
What Traction Signals Investors Say Yes To – Especially relevant for founders looking for their first backers, this episode zeroes in on what investors are actually looking for.
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
Duration:00:33:52
Why Investors Don’t Trust Your Numbers and How to Fix It with Emily Stubbs
1/21/2026
In this sharp and strategy-rich episode, I sit down with Emily Stubbs, a legal expert turned Visibility CFO—to unpack the real reasons many visionary founders struggle with growth, margins, and funding readiness.
Emily shares why popularity doesn’t equal profitability and how vague P&Ls are killing your ability to scale.
You’ll learn why segmentation in your finances isn't optional, how to spot when a service is a loss leader, and why having the right people and structure trumps having more people.
If you're a founder trying to grow sustainably, attract outside capital, or prepare for investor conversations, this episode is packed with game-changing insights you can’t afford to miss.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How to identify what’s actually driving (or draining) your margin
✅ The power of segmented P&Ls and strategic visibility
✅ What most leaders misunderstand about AI, operations, and capacity
✅ Why founders must redefine what "working" looks like before scaling
✅ When to leverage fractional experts (like CFOs and growth strategists)
✅ How to stage your company for funding the way you’d stage a home for sale
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
Duration:00:31:33
Why Investors Hesitate Before Saying Yes in Femtech with Maria De Santis
1/16/2026
Most founders chase funding.
The smart ones chase strategic capital.
In this episode, Maria De Santis reveals what separates a check from a true growth partnership—and how women founders can position themselves for both traction and investment in today’s market.
You’ll hear how we both connected around the real-world challenges founders face, especially those underrepresented in venture conversations.
It’s a vulnerable and powerful dialogue on being intentional about who’s in your corner.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
♦️ Why team dynamics matter more than product features in investor decisions
♦️ How to master one revenue channel before diversifying
♦️ The truth about today’s tougher VC environment—and how to stand out
♦️ What makes a funding partner strategic, not just transactional
♦️ How to use your capital wisely and avoid costly mistakes
♦️ Tips on building a real support network that can guide execution and scaling
Timestamp:
00:00:55 – Welcome to Provider's Edge Podcast
00:02:52 – The women founders funding gap: Less than 3% of VC capital
00:03:28 – Key factors investors look for: Team expertise and market opportunity
00:04:51 – Team dynamics: Why business partnerships are tougher than marriage
00:06:49 – Customer acquisition costs: A major reason startups fail
00:08:12 – Revenue diversification strategy: When and how to expand channels
00:10:46 – Current fundraising environment: How the market shifted from 2021 to 2024
00:11:43 – The strategic investor advantage: Beyond just capital
00:13:36 – Best practices for approaching investors: Warm introductions vs. cold outreach
00:15:02 – The relationship-based investment game: Building long-term connections
00:16:53 – Investing in women's health: Economic opportunity meets social impact
00:18:11 – Episode wrap-up and final thanks
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
Ep 130- Why Most HealthTech Solutions Fail: The Hidden Gap Between Innovation and Implementation – This episode digs into the common pitfalls that healthtech founders face (particularly in scaling and market fit).
Ep 154- Is Your Startup Built on Swiss Cheese? with George Pappas – A strong fit because it explores structural weaknesses in startups (teams, roles, funding) that align directly with what we unpacked with MyPhuong.
Ep 177- What Traction Signals Investors Say Yes To – Especially relevant for founders looking for their first backers, this episode zeroes in on what investors are actually looking for.
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Apply for a contestant spot at PulsePointPath.com/Pitch-Application and pitch to active investors and decision-makers in your niche.
Duration:00:25:19
Why Do So Many HealthTech Startups Stall After Early Traction with Dirk Schaparel
1/7/2026
Why do so many healthtech startups gain early traction… and then suddenly stall?
It’s usually not the tech. It’s not the vision. And it’s rarely a lack of effort.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dirk Schapeler, President of Niterra Ventures—the venture arm of Niterra, a $5B Japanese technology company operating globally across automotive, medical, and industrial products.
Dirk also serves as a board member at Arcondis Group, where he supports innovation strategy and global expansion.
At HLTH, I sat down with Dirk to talk about what actually determines whether a healthcare company survives long enough to matter—especially in regulated, capital-intensive spaces like medtech, remote care, and diagnostics.
If you’ve proven demand but growth feels harder than it should, this conversation is for you.
This wasn’t a hype-filled conversation about AI buzzwords.
It was a grounded discussion about patience, leadership evolution, and why healthcare scale is less about speed and more about systems, people, and partnerships.
If you’re building in healthcare and wondering why momentum feels harder than it should… this episode will hit close to home.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why some of the most powerful healthcare innovations come from outside healthcare
Episode Timeline:
00:00:00 – Why health tech stalls after early wins
00:04:04 – Why Japanese innovation looks at the U.S. market
00:07:02 – Cold plasma and the future of wound care
00:09:40 – Why wound care hasn’t changed in decades
00:11:27 – Combining therapies, not selling tools
00:13:05 – What investors really look for
00:15:31 – Patience, quality, and long-term thinking
00:18:08 – When founders hit the scaling wall
00:21:09 – Power of global collaboration
00:25:00 – The hard truth about regulated healthcare
00:27:03 – How to connect with Niterra Ventures
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
Why Most HealthTech Solutions Fail: The Hidden Gap Between Innovation and Implementation – This episode digs into the common pitfalls that healthtech founders face (particularly in scaling and market fit).
Is Your Startup Built on Swiss Cheese? with George Pappas – A strong fit because it explores structural weaknesses in startups (teams, roles, funding) that align directly with what we unpacked with MyPhuong.
What Traction Signals Investors Say Yes To – Especially relevant for founders looking for their first backers, this episode zeroes in on what investors are actually looking for.
Want to Keep Growing Without Worrying About Your Runway?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Earn Your HealthTech Impact Award
Are you creating significant impact in digital health, diagnostics, med devices, biotech, mental health or women's health space? If so, nominate your company for the 2026 HealthTech Impact Award today at HealthTechImpactAward.com
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
Duration:00:32:12
Why Sports & Health Tech Founders Miss Their Next Round
12/31/2025
How do top investors decide where to put their millions? Hint: It’s not just about your pitch deck.
Raising capital isn’t just about vision—it’s about proving you have the team, traction, and exit potential to make your venture worth the risk. Thomas Rudy has reviewed over 1,500 startups a year, and in this episode, he reveals what separates the YESes from the NOs.
If you've ever felt unsure whether you’re “venture-backable,” this episode will help you reflect on the gaps holding you back—and give you the clarity to fill them with confidence.
You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to position your company for investor alignment—from defining scalability the VC way, to building a team that de-risks execution, to reverse engineering your exit potential.
Most startups VCs pass on aren’t bad—they just aren’t venture-scale. In this candid conversation, you’ll learn how to be brutally honest about where your startup stands and what to do next.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ What VCs really mean when they say “you’re not scalable yet”
✔️ The critical difference between strategic board titles vs execution-ready teams
✔️ Why having “80% of funds go to tech” isn’t enough—and what to say instead
✔️ How to reverse engineer your exit using revenue, EBITDA, and industry multiples
✔️ Why some founders should skip VC entirely—and still win big
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
Ep 130- Why Most HealthTech Solutions Fail: The Hidden Gap Between Innovation and Implementation – This episode digs into the common pitfalls that healthtech founders face (particularly in scaling and market fit).
Ep 154- Is Your Startup Built on Swiss Cheese? with George Pappas – A strong fit because it explores structural weaknesses in startups (teams, roles, funding) that align directly with what we unpacked with MyPhuong.
Ep 177- What Traction Signals Investors Say Yes To – Especially relevant for founders looking for their first backers, this episode zeroes in on what investors are actually looking for.
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Apply for a contestant spot at PulsePointPath.com/Pitch-Application and pitch to active investors and decision-makers in your niche.
Duration:00:33:28
How Smart Founders Raise Capital Without a Final Product
12/24/2025
If you’re a femtech founder building in silence and still waiting for real traction—this episode is your wake-up call. The funding isn’t always the problem. It’s the missing ecosystem.
Dr. MyPhuong Le went from struggling in academic research to co-founding a manufacturing company and now leads a thriving innovation hub in San Diego. Together, we unpacked what early-stage founders really need beyond funding: role clarity, uncomfortable conversations, and teams that align in mission—not just skillsets.
You’ll hear how women founders in health tech are hitting investor roadblocks—not because of poor solutions, but because too many rooms still treat menstrual health and menopause like taboo topics. MyPhuong shares how breaking that silence can shift capital, culture, and credibility.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🔶 Why building alone is one of the most dangerous things founders can do
🔶 What roles truly matter in your founding team (hint: it’s not just tech)
🔶 How femtech founders can win support—even when investors are uncomfortable
🔶 Why diverse voices in health tech are finally gaining traction, and how to be part of it
🔶 A 3-part co-founder framework to scale without burning out
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🏆 Win the Award and Showcase Your Impact
Nominate a spot at HealthTechImpactAward.com and win multiple media placements, investor introductions, and advisory support for your scalability.
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Coming to JPM? Pitch to active investors and decision-makers for the Women’s Health Pitch Showcase Share this coupon code: WMNSHLTH20
• Visit the registration link: https://eventship.com/event/01-12-26-global-innovation-in-women-s-health-pitch-showcase
• They will sign in or create an account with Eventship.
• They can select the General Admission ticket type to avail the discount.
• Attached is a flyer that you can share with your community and post on your social media accounts.
We are excited to welcome you to the Global Innovation in Women's Health Pitch Showcase 2026!
Duration:00:43:18
The Red Flag That Kills Your Raise with Aparajita Chauhan
12/17/2025
Candid insights. Tactical advice. Real talk on what investors actually look for.
Too many brilliant women-led startups struggle to get noticed by VCs.
It’s not always about your product—it’s about how you position, present, and prove your traction.
In this episode, I sat down with Aparajita Chauhan, investor at Volition Capital, to talk about what makes a founder investable—before they even start raising.
From decoding due diligence to how your leadership team communicates under pressure, we unpacked what founders need to know to build trust and stay on an investor’s radar.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ What investors like Aparajita actually want to see before a pitch deck
✅ The #1 thing that gets founders remembered (hint: it’s not flashy branding)
✅ How to talk about your CAC, KPIs, and ROI with clarity—not guesswork
✅ Why founder-team alignment can make or break your deal
✅ How to build relationships with investors early—even if you're not raising yet
✅ Where women founders still face the biggest barriers (and how to navigate them)
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
Duration:00:19:54
E183 | Why Most AI Startups Fail | Real Talk with Investors from US, EU, LATAM & MENA
12/9/2025
Let’s be honest—founders are burned out from cold outreach and investor ghosting.
You’ve built something real, but the right people just aren’t seeing it.
What if the fastest path to capital was through vetted relationships that already believe in your mission?
This isn’t your typical panel.
You’re about to sit in on a private investor roundtable from Venture Vitality, a global gathering hosted by PulsePoint Path and our venture partners.
In the room: seed and Series A investors, Medicaid fund managers, consumer health VCs, quantum & AI fund builders, FDA-cleared founders, LATAM commercialization experts, and healthcare operators with international scale.
In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how startup capital is actually getting deployed in 2025 and what investors are really looking for in a noisy, AI-saturated market.
✅ Why “trust-first” deal flow is outperforming cold pitches
✅ How to make your startup defensible when AI can copy you in weeks
✅ What funders like DFX, Equal Opportunity Ventures, and Angel Squad are doing differently
✅ How to leverage Health Board Advisor’s global ecosystem to access capital and credibility
✅ Where women and diverse founders are finally being prioritized—and funded
✅ Why domain expertise is the new power play in healthcare AI
Timestamps:
02:22 – Inside the Venture Vitality Investor Roundtable
02:54 – What Differentiation Really Means in an AI-Crowded Market
04:22 – Domain Expertise as the #1 Success Factor
05:37 – The Real ICP & Minimal Sellable Product Problem
07:26 – Why Startups Must Go Narrow + Deep (Not Wide + Shallow)
08:32 – AI, Regulation, and Ethics: The New Founder Blind Spots
10:44 – Know What You Don’t Know (Avoiding FDA & Reimbursement Pitfalls)
12:13 – Business Models, Workflow Integration & Real User Adoption
13:41 – The 3 Pillars Every Health Startup Must Nail
15:17 – Solving Real Problems vs. Building Cool Tech
15:52 – Quantum’s Coming Impact on Healthcare Innovation
19:23 – Key Takeaways from the Discussion
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
📍 Ep 171 – Why Founders Fail When They Ignore This with Monica McKitterick
📍 Ep 170 – From Implementation to Optimization: Never Lose a Client Again Ep 170 with Sandra Johnson
📍 Ep 169 – How AgeTech Startups Win Hospital Trust With Wound-Care Pilots Ep 169 with Amy Cassata
✅Here are 3 ways we can support you right now:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Ready to turn your pitch into a magnet?
Send us your draft, let me rewrite it for you 👉 PitchToYes.com
🎯 Get You In Front of Investors
We match you with the most aligned investors and decision-makers who care about your niche already. Apply at CapitalEngine.vc
Duration:00:22:40
How to Build AI Clinicians Trust and Teams Stick With Linda Macomber
11/26/2025
AI won't win in healthcare unless clinicians—and patients—trust it.
In this episode, I sat down with healthcare innovation expert Linda Macomber, who’s been at the forefront of digital transformation for over 35 years, leading initiatives with Kaiser, IBM, and the VA.
Her message is clear: your tech isn’t the hero—the human insight behind it is.
Learn What You’ll Discover:
🔹 Why AI is not a revolution—but a renaissance that blends human wisdom with digital intelligence
🔹 The biggest mistakes founders make when building in silos (and how to fix it)
🔹 What it really means to deliver personalized care and distributed access
🔹 How to rethink your solution as part of a broader care pathway—not just a point product
🔹 The one mindset shift every founder needs to go from “protocols” to people-powered innovation
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
Episode 150: How to Spot HealthTech Startups That Prevent Costly Readmissions — With Dr. Colin Banas. This one digs into how systems connect (interoperability, workflow gaps) and why tech alone isn’t enough.
Episode 151: Tech Equity Is the Missing Link in Health Equity with Bevey Miner Ep 151— A powerful fit for founders dealing with data, bias, AI and ecosystem context.
Episode 114: Nurse Entrepreneur: A Founder's Perspective with Susan Davis, Ep 114 — An episode that appears to focus on nursing, workflow, informatics and front‑line care systems. Since Linda brings a nursing + informatics background, this is a strong anchor for themes of clinical trust and integration.
🎧 Apple Podcasts: Your Tech Isn’t Failing—Your Compliance Strategy Is (Ep 148)
💻 YouTube: Scaling Smart: How Founders Protect Their Burn Rate (Ep 162)
📝 SabrinaRunbeck.com Blog: The 5D System to Build Sustainable HealthTech Growth
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
Duration:00:33:20
What Employee Benefits Actually Work for Startups Under 50 People? Ep 181 with Anthony Markey
11/12/2025
We went beyond basic health coverage. From understanding multigenerational expectations to implementing creative, budget-conscious perks like flexible PTO or caregiver support—this is about building a workplace people want to stay in.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
♦️When to start offering benefits (hint: before you're forced to)
♦️What employees really want across generations
♦️How to budget for retention without sacrificing runway
♦️How regulations shift at the 50- and 100-employee marks
♦️Why avoiding an awkward conversation with your broker might be costing you
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
📍 Ep 171 – Why Founders Fail When They Ignore This with Monica McKitterick
📍 Ep 170 – From Implementation to Optimization: Never Lose a Client Again Ep 170 with Sandra Johnson
📍 Ep 169 – How AgeTech Startups Win Hospital Trust With Wound-Care Pilots Ep 169 with Amy Cassata
🎧 Apple Podcasts: Your Tech Isn’t Failing—Your Compliance Strategy Is (Ep 148)
💻 YouTube: Scaling Smart: How Founders Protect Their Burn Rate (Ep 162)
📝 SabrinaRunbeck.com Blog: The 5D System to Build Sustainable HealthTech Growth
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Not every investor needs a white paper, they need a reason to believe. At CapitalEngine.vc, we match you with aligned capital so your traction gets traction.
Duration:00:32:03
How Founders Protect Wealth Before the Next Round
11/5/2025
You built your company to create impact—but are you actually protecting what you’re building?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David Mandell, an attorney, MBA, and wealth strategist who’s spent over 30 years helping physicians and healthcare founders protect and grow their wealth.
We unpack what financial intelligence really means for innovators—why it’s not about greed, but freedom—and how founders can stop reacting to money problems and start directing their growth with confidence.
Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:
Wealth is freedom, not just funds. Learn how founders can redefine wealth as freedom of time, choice, and impact.Build your financial “specialty team.” Why every founder needs aligned advisors—a CPA, attorney, and strategist—to scale safely.Protect your downside first. Risk is inevitable, but loss isn’t—when you structure your assets and decisions intentionally.Delegate awareness, not responsibility. You can outsource execution, but never your understanding of financial flow.Turn fear into focus. Financial intelligence helps founders transform anxiety about money into clear, actionable strategy.
HealthTech Showdown (HealthTechShowdown.com) — Apply for an $800 scholarship to pitch your company to active investors and enterprise decision-makers.
Impact Quotient Quiz (ImpactQuotientQuiz.com) — Discover if your company’s foundation supports sustainable, scalable impact.
Get Dr. Mandell’s book — Free for Provider’s Edge listeners (details in episode show notes)
Key Talking Points:
Redefining Wealth Beyond MoneyDr. Mandell’s Journey: From Law to Wealth StrategyFounders as Clinicians and InnovatorsWhy Every Founder Needs a Financial “Specialty Team”Real-Life Example: When Risk Becomes RealityThe Power of “Your Who”Turning Financial Fear into ActionPlan for the Worst, Build for the Best
Episode Timeline:
00:00:00 – Most founders chase revenue, but few build real wealth.
00:01:53 – Dr. David Mandel, JD, MBA, attorney, and wealth strategist.
00:06:38 – The challenge of legacy-building and balancing multiple roles.
00:08:59 – Capital Engine VC—supporting healthcare founders.
00:13:42 – David’s resources and books to educate founders.
00:15:35 – Overcoming financial fears and mindset blocks.
00:19:21 – David’s top advice: educate yourself and find the right team.
00:21:14 – Sabrina on the power of compounding learning and expertise.
00:23:35 – Key takeaway: financial strategy is personal, not one-size-fits-all.
00:25:29 – Financial literacy isn’t about greed—it’s about freedom.
00:28:54 – If your wealth were protected, what bold move would you take?
Notable Quotes:
Dr. David Mandell:
“Aim for the best, plan for the worst. I’m an entrepreneur too—but I take risks wisely, knowing my assets are protected before I move forward.”
Sabrina Runbeck:
“When founders stay stuck in financial fear, their vision for impact stalls. The right mindset and the right people turn that fear into fuel.”
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
🎧 Apple Podcasts: Your Tech Isn’t Failing—Your Compliance Strategy Is (Ep 148)
💻 YouTube: Scaling Smart: How Founders Protect Their Burn Rate (Ep 162)
📝 SabrinaRunbeck.com Blog: The 5D System to Build Sustainable HealthTech Growth
✅ Want to Keep Growing Without Losing Clients?
Here are 3 ways we can help you today:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Make Your Pitch Investor-Ready
Send us your draft and let me rewrite it so it becomes a funding magnet 👉 PitchToYes.com
🚀 Get in Front of Investors Who Already Want What You’ve Built
Apply for a contestant spot at PulsePointPath.com/Pitch-Application and pitch to active investors and decision-makers in your niche.
Duration:00:29:35
Your CMO Isn’t the First Executive Hire You Need with Kelly O’Neil
10/29/2025
You don’t need another full-time exec—you need someone who knows how to build the foundation for scale. In this episode, we expose one of the most expensive mistakes health tech founders and system leaders make: hiring too fast, too early, and in the wrong order.
Kelly O’Neill joins me to walk through how fractional executives—when vetted and placed strategically—can outperform full-time hires by giving you the exact structure you’re missing.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still not gaining traction… this conversation will hit home. Because doing more isn’t the answer—doing the right thing next is.
Before you hire, listen in. We break down how to sequence leadership, how to spot unqualified fractional hires, and how to align your team before you waste $150K+ on the wrong fit.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🧩Why hiring a full-time exec too early leads to stalled growth
🧩How fractional leaders set up the structure your team actually needs
🧩The red flags when hiring “fractional execs” who can only pitch—but not deliver
🧩How to identify which roles you really need based on your growth stage
🧩Why people and financial strategy must evolve together
👤 Guest: Kelly O’Neill
Fractional Chief Strategy Officer | Founder of Kelly O’Neill Intl.
🌐 kellyoneill.com
LinkedIn: Kelly O’Neill
Duration:00:37:29
E178 | Who Do Investors Trust More — Heroes or Guides?
10/22/2025
I used to believe that telling my story in full was enough to inspire trust—and capital. But the truth is, how you position your story in a pitch can be the difference between another “we’ll pass” and your next funding round.
In this episode, we discussed what it really means to be the guide in your pitch, how to turn cold intros into warm investor relationships, and how to align with capital that actually gets your mission.
If you’re pitching, fundraising, or simply trying to get people to rally behind your vision, this is your map. Take notes. Share it with your team. Then tighten your narrative to make everyone around you a hero.
There’s nothing fluffy about storytelling—it’s a core investor strategy.
Your pitch should connect purpose, people, and proof. Otherwise, it’s just noise.
What You’ll Learn:
💠 Why founders must stop pitching like the hero—and what to do instead
💠 A plug-and-play framework for guiding your customers through transformation
💠 How to fundraise with zero investor network and still land warm intros
💠 The one mindset shift that builds trust with investors faster
💠 Why alignment, not access, is the hidden growth lever for diverse founders
💠 How to get in front of capital that already believes in your category
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Positioning founders as the guide instead of the hero
01:01:07 — Your pitch is a strategy, not just a story — intro to Pitch2Yes
01:01:54 — Why clarity and heart matter in funding
04:04:21 — Burnout to purpose: Sabrina’s own hero’s journey
06:06:48 — Making customers a hero through impact
08:08:48 — Capital Engine: Getting founders investor-ready
00:11:53 — Why choosing the right investor matters most
00:15:27 — What’s your superpower investors aren’t seeing?
00:19:37 — Community and lived experience drives credibility
00:21:53 — Top learning point #1 — Story alignment
00:22:29 — Top learning point #2 — Everyone gets to be the hero
00:22:45 — Top learning point #3 — Build the right rooms
00:23:04 — Top learning point #4 — Storytelling is strategy
00:23:22 — Top learning point #5 — Reverse-engineer warm intros
00:23:40 — Top learning point #6 — Community closes funding
00:23:52 — How are you showing up as the guide?
00:24:13 — Closing: Review + help raise your business to the next level
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
📍 Ep 171 – Why Founders Fail When They Ignore This with Monica McKitterick
📍 Ep 170 – From Implementation to Optimization: Never Lose a Client Again Ep 170 with Sandra Johnson
📍 Ep 169 – How AgeTech Startups Win Hospital Trust With Wound-Care Pilots Ep 169 with Amy Cassata
✅Here are 3 ways we can support you right now:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Ready to turn your pitch into a magnet?
Send us your draft, let me rewrite it for you 👉 PitchToYes.com
🎯 Get You In Front of Investors
We match you with the most aligned investors and decision-makers who care about your niche already. Apply at CapitalEngine.vc
Duration:00:24:33
What Traction Signals Investors Say Yes To
10/15/2025
Curious why your traction isn’t translating into checks?
Listen in as we uncover the investor signals that actually matter—and why underrepresented founders can win by doing things differently.
Emotionally real, data-backed, and full of practical gems, this conversation isn’t just another funding 101—it's a readiness check.
As founders, we often chase capital. But what if you could attract it instead—with clarity, confidence, and aligned storytelling?
You’ll leave this episode knowing how to prove your startup is not just growing—but built to scale.
What You’ll Learn:
🔶The 3 investor-proven metrics that matter most at the early stage (burn multiple, NRR, GTM traction)
🔶How to assess if your team is truly operationally ready to scale
🔶Why authentic founder storytelling creates trust that closes checks
🔶How underrepresented and female founders can turn their “difference” into a pitch superpower
🔶What investors like DFX and Gangel look for when deciding to fund diverse teams
🔶How to use the Sales Heat Metric to align your pitch with urgency and trust
Timestamps:
00:02:12 – Part two of the Funding for Women panel: What “ready to scale” really means
00:03:13 – Key investor metrics: burn multiples, NRR, and repeatable GTM channels
00:05:55 – Operational readiness: why your team is the real growth engine
00:07:24 – Sabrina’s “Sales Key Metrics” framework for founder storytelling
00:10:25 – Capital Engine: helping healthcare founders scale smart
00:12:06 – Turning bias into connection and trust with investors
00:16:08 – How underrepresented founders can turn “different” into “undeniable”
00:18:46 – Emotional readiness and authentic storytelling for founders
00:22:00 – From chasing to attracting the right investors and partners
00:23:13 – Recap: aligning metrics, mindset, and message
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
📍Ep 173- Who Are the Founders That Win Investor Trust Fast?
📍Ep 164- Busy or Scaling? The Founder Habit That Sabotages Real Growth
📍Ep 168- What Turns a Good HealthTech Pitch Into a ‘Yes’ for Women Founders
✅Here are 3 ways we can support you right now:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Ready to turn your pitch into a magnet?
Send us your draft, let me rewrite it for you 👉 PitchToYes.com
🎯 Get You In Front of Investors
We match you with the most aligned investors and decision-makers who care about your niche already. Apply at CapitalEngine.vc
Duration:00:28:04
How Can Female Founders Become 100% Compelling Without Being 100% Ready?
10/9/2025
If you’ve ever thought, “I need to be more ready before I pitch,” this episode is your wake-up call.
In this live panel from the Venture Vitality Roundtable, you’ll hear from four powerhouse women who are reshaping startup capital—from DFX funding strategies to investor readiness, go-to-market scaling, and how to avoid founder burnout.
We’re talking real traction, real funding conversations, and the new rules of storytelling that convert.
This isn’t just another panel—this is a masterclass in becoming 100% compelling, even when you’re not “fully ready.”
Learn (What You’ll Take Away)
✅ The 5 ecosystem layers every founder must optimize to scale sustainably
✅ How the bar for investor readiness has shifted in today’s venture climate
✅ What investors actually want to hear in early-stage pitches
✅ Why female founders should stop over-explaining and start boldly asking
✅ How to pitch for capital without burning out or sacrificing clarity
As women in HealthTech and BioTech, we often hold ourselves back, thinking we need to be perfect before we’re persuasive. But readiness isn’t about checking every box—it’s about showing up with conviction, clarity, and confidence.
This conversation will remind you that you are your company’s most valuable asset—and that being compelling is a strategy, not a personality trait.
Timestamps:
00:03:10 - Alice Liao on scaling from zero to exit and the realities of building globally
00:04:15 - Jennifer Jeronimo on Gaingel’s mission for accessible and diverse venture capital
00:07:32 - Archita Fritz on preparing founders for private equity exits and sustainable growth
00:09:43 - Sabrina joins the panel: shifting from chasing funding to attracting the right capital
00:14:41 - How investor readiness has evolved in the current venture landscape
00:17:36 - The new pre-revenue signals investors look for
00:21:30 - Common fundraising myths that hold women back
00:26:34 - Final reflections and episode wrap-up
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
📍 Ep 171 – Why Founders Fail When They Ignore This with Monica McKitterick
📍 Ep 170 – From Implementation to Optimization: Never Lose a Client Again Ep 170 with Sandra Johnson
📍 Ep 169 – How AgeTech Startups Win Hospital Trust With Wound-Care Pilots Ep 169 with Amy Cassata
✅Here are 3 ways we can support you right now:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Ready to turn your pitch into a magnet?
Send us your draft, let me rewrite it for you 👉 PitchToYes.com
🎯 Get You In Front of Investors
We match you with the most aligned investors and decision-makers who care about your niche already. Apply at CapitalEngine.vc
Duration:00:31:14
What Makes a Startup So Investable That Great Capital Starts Chasing You?
10/2/2025
Tired of cold-pitching investors who don’t get what you’re building?
What if capital started chasing you?
In this episode, I sat down with a panel of seasoned investors during our Venture Vitality Roundtable to unpack what truly makes a startup irresistible to aligned capital.
We’re talking beyond pitch decks—this is about market readiness, community-first traction, and the kind of 2-minute pitch that gets shared in closed-door investor chats.
This is the mindset shift every Seed to Series B founder needs to hear.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
Why product-market fit is overrated (and what to chase instead)How to become fundraising fluent so you stop wasting timeWhat investors actually want to hear in your pitch
💬 Let’s Discuss:
What’s the last market validation conversation you had—before building anything?
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Why some startups attract capital instead of chasing it
00:02:11 - The hidden struggles of raising money (Marie’s perspective)
00:03:57 - Training founders to be fundraising fluent (Kurt’s insights)
00:06:01 - Alternative capital sources + accelerator/venture studio models
00:07:23 - Market readiness beats product-market fit
00:09:58 - The 100 Customer Challenge: Validating the problem first
00:11:52 - Why a 2-minute video pitch beats any deck
00:13:07 - Build community before building your product
00:17:05 - Healthcare pilots and clinical trials as proof of traction
00:21:32 - Five core lessons to make your startup truly investable
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
Ep 174 – Who Are the Founders That Win Investor Trust Fast?Ep 169 – How AgeTech Startups Win Hospital Trust With Wound-Care PilotsEp 168 – What Turns a Good HealthTech Pitch Into a ‘Yes’ for Women Founders
✅Here are 3 ways we can support you right now:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Ready to turn your pitch into a magnet?
Send us your draft, let me rewrite it for you 👉 PitchToYes.com
🎯 Get You In Front of Investors
We match you with the most aligned investors and decision-makers who care about your niche already. Apply at CapitalEngine.vc
Duration:00:24:29
How Do the Best FemTech Startup Pitches Win Investors?
9/24/2025
What happens when six bold women founders get two minutes to pitch life-changing health innovations… and three minutes to prove they’re investor-ready?
You get this episode. Real traction. Real questions. Real feedback.
And the blueprint for turning your pitch into a strategic partnership.
From point-of-care diagnostics to digital therapeutics for fibroids, non-hormonal contraception, and military-grade triage tech—each founder had just two minutes to make their case and three minutes to defend it.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
🔑How to communicate your FDA and reimbursement strategy in 30 seconds or less
🔑Why NIH-backed data and patient voice interviews are pitch power tools
🔑What separates “cool tech” from “capital-efficient” models investors will back
🔑How to position your solution as a platform, not a product
🔑Why B2B2C models in women’s health are gaining real ground
🔑What to include (and cut) when you only have 2 minutes to shine
Timestamps:
00:02:42 – Live Pitch Tank: Six Women Founders Take the Stage
00:03:46 – Nancy (AmplifiDX): 15-Minute Women’s Health Diagnostics
00:09:23 – Tanu (FlowCare): Fixing Period Product Access in Public Spaces
00:14:52 – Natasha (Myocurrent): Tackling Fibroids with Digital Therapeutics
00:21:01 – Mehek (Manglovo): Reinventing Birth Control with a Weekly, Hormone-Free Pill
00:26:45 – Jessica (Omedus): Saving Lives with Smarter Triage Tech
00:32:53 – Goli (Cosm Medical): Personalized Solutions for Pelvic Health
43:30 – And the Winners Are…
44:07 – Investor Secrets: Five Lessons for a Standout Pitch
🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love
📍 Ep 171 – Why Founders Fail When They Ignore This with Monica McKitterick
📍 Ep 170 – From Implementation to Optimization: Never Lose a Client Again Ep 170 with Sandra Johnson
📍 Ep 169 – How AgeTech Startups Win Hospital Trust With Wound-Care Pilots Ep 169 with Amy Cassata
✅Here are 3 ways we can support you right now:
🎤 Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina
📊 Ready to turn your pitch into a magnet?
Send us your draft, let me rewrite it for you 👉 PitchToYes.com
🎯 Get You In Front of Investors
We match you with the most aligned investors and decision-makers who care about your niche already. Apply at CapitalEngine.vc
Duration:00:46:32