At the MedCity INVEST conference, scheduled for May 22-24 at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago, healthcare and life science startups have the opportunity to network and engage in salon-style discussions with investors. These Ask the Investor sessions will be held during the breakfast segments of INVEST on the mornings of Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24. Startups need to register to participate.
We’re spotlighting some of the investors taking part in these sessions. Rachel Kern is a Vice President with First Trust Capital Partners. Since she joined in 2016, she has led investments in a variety of health tech companies, including Predict Health, Vynca, Third Eye Health, and Script Health.
What’s your firm’s investment strategy?
First Trust Capital Partners, LLC (FTCP) invests in early and growth stage companies across multiple industries but with a focus on financial services and healthcare technology. FTCP is based in Wheaton, Illinois. FTCP has made more than 90 private investments over the 15 years since its inception.
Rachel Kern
FTCP invests balance sheet capital which affords us the ability to support the growth of compelling businesses with disciplined patience. We invest up to $5 million in initial investment whether through lead or co-investment strategy. We focus on long-term capital appreciation through meaningful engagement with our portfolio.
What are 1-3 things you would like entrepreneurs pitching you to keep front of mind?
- Do your homework on the person you are talking to, as it will guide the direction and story of the pitch. Do they invest in your sector? Do they invest in the stage you are raising? Would they be a good partner?
- Be excited about what you are pitching! We want to back entrepreneurs that are passionate about what they are doing. Smile and sound excited even if you made the pitch 1,000 times with no success.
- Make your business model and differentiation very clear. We want to know what you are looking for and what makes you and your company different.
What are some of the easy fixes healthcare/life science startups can make to improve their pitch?
- Master your elevator pitch. Investors should know what you do and the problem you are solving within the first minute of your pitch.
- Check for spelling and grammar errors! You would be surprised how many errors we see in pitches.
- Avoid acronyms without defining them.
What was the last company you invested in?
Karoo Health, which provides end-to-end, tech-enabled, value-based cardiac care.
What subsector of health tech or life science are you excited by at the moment?
The technology that supports and enables new care models, especially value-based care and also, home / post-acute health technology.
Photo: drogatnev, Getty Images
