We've supported these startups pre-deployment because we believe in their team and approach:
First reliable stage 1 ovarian cancer diagnostic, combining uterine lavage with an AI assay analyzing cancer mutations together with cell of origin.
Founded by Scott Kennedy (TwinStrand), Elena Cant (McKinsey, Takeda, Hospira), advised by Dr. Paul Speiser (inventor of uterine tubal lavage).
Vaginal drug delivery device with FDA clearance, now partnering with Merck for their first in-woman trial.
Founded by Thang Vo-Ta (MIT, Oxford) and Lara Zibners, MD, MMEd, MBA. TIME Magazine "Best Invention of the Year," Fast Company "Most Innovative Company."
First saliva-based point-of-care lateral flow test for liver fibrosis triage. No blood draw, no imaging, results in minutes. Scoring 0.92 AUROC in validation against FIB-4's 0.74.
Founded by Jim Chen, MD, MPH, and Nodar Makharashvili, PhD, advised by Richard Sterling (FIB-4 inventor).
Digital twin for brain surgery, real-time AI copilot building a live 3D map of the brain during the operation.
Founded by two academic neurosurgeons with team expertise across corporate medical innovation.
Companies we're excited about working with next:
Genomic mapping + AI, detecting chromosome changes that guide cancer treatment. Replaces multiple chromosome tests with one, with results in 3–5 days (vs. 3 weeks). $2.6M in non-dilutive grants secured; proof-of-concept project with NIH’s myeloMATCH.
Founded by Stephen Eacker, PhD (Phase Genomics R&D leadership, former Johns Hopkins), and Jesse Salk, MD, PhD (TwinStrand co-founder and Duplex Sequencing co-inventor).
Lab-grown copy of a patient's tumor, tests real drugs before treatment starts. AI-scored organoid model showing 0.98 correlation with patient outcomes. MD Anderson and Memorial Sloan Kettering amended clinical protocols to use the assay.
Founded by Abraham Lin, PhD (7 patents, 45+ publications in cancer research).
AI surgical platform using real-time video, device telemetry, robotic kinematics. Models catch risks twice as accurately as surgeons alone.
Founded by Mishaal Ali, MD (UCSF surgeon, prior robotic surgery platform) and Sam McKennoch, PhD (ML at Allen Inst. for AI), advised by Daichi Kitaguchi, MD/PhD (surgical AI, National Cancer Center Japan).
Human neural organoids + AI, building a scalable platform for developmental toxicity testing and CNS drug discovery. Combines proprietary consumables, analysis software, and research services. $1.7M NIH grant, FDA contract, and recurring international customers.
Founded by Randolph Ashton, PhD (UW–Madison), Rebecca Willett, PhD (University of Chicago), and Gavin Knight, PhD, combining expertise in neural organoids, machine learning, and bioengineering.
Lauren M Taylor, Managing Partner
Creative Destruction Lab, Health Stream
Building with industry partners? Lauren mentors founders in CDL's Health Stream, helping them open doors with the partners who matter most.
Science Center, Capital Readiness Program
Sharpening your fundraising strategy? Lauren serves as Investor in Residence at Science Center, helping founders get ready for the raise.
NDVC Blog
NDVC is a newsletter with insights from the people shaping how healthcare gets built and paid for—policymakers, founders, and funders—so you can make smarter decisions about funding and growth.
Non-Dilutive Capital
How a $10M fund can invest in 40 startups
