Executive Series: Early Stage Investment in Digital Health
Using a founder-centric approach, we offer strategic insights and partnerships to give portfolio companies a competitive edge in the digital health market.
In this episode, Lynne Chou O'Keefe, founder and Managing Partner at Define Ventures, shares valuable insights on the uniqueness of Define Ventures, their investment approach, and how they offer strategic partnerships to give startups an unfair advantage. Lynne tackles the current shifts in the investment landscape, specifically within the digital health startups sector, and addresses the impact of decreased venture capital funding as well as valuation downturns.
She delves into the exciting avenues for investment, from consumer gateways to tech-enabled services and the emerging application of AI in healthcare. Lynne talks about breaking the mold not just in her leadership role within venture capital but also through Define Ventures' investment patterns, which champion diverse perspectives—a true reflection of the firm’s core values.
Stay tuned as we explore the terrain of early-stage investment, digital health innovation, and the drive to redefine healthcare systems.
About Lynne Chou O'Keefe:
Lynne Chou O’Keefe is the Founder and Managing Partner of Define Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm focused on investing in digital health companies redefining healthcare. Define Ventures focuses on incubation, seed, Series A, and Series B-stage digital health startups (www.definevc.com). Lynne has partnered with entrepreneurs to help them build category-defining digital health companies, such as Livongo (NASDAQ: LVGO), HIMS (NASDAQ: HIMS), Unite Us, etc. Previous to Define Ventures, Lynne’s experience includes both healthcare operating, investing, and finance roles.
Previously, she was a Senior Partner at Kleiner Perkins, focused on digital health and connected devices early-stage investing. Before joining Kleiner Perkins, Lynne worked at Abbott Vascular and Guidant in multiple roles, launching over ten product families in the US and internationally. Lynne was responsible for building the global commercial strategy and therapy development, as well as playing a key role in the clinical, reimbursement, and operational strategy for these therapies.
Earlier in her career, Lynne worked at Apax Partners with a focus on software venture capital investing. In addition, Lynne worked at Goldman Sachs in the Mergers and Acquisitions group and worked on multiple multi-billion dollar acquisitions and sell-side transactions in various industries. Lynne has been named WSJ’s Women in Venture Capital to Watch in 2020. Lynne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Things You’ll Learn:
- Define Ventures leverages a founder-centric approach to provide strategic insights and partnerships that empower their portfolio companies with an unfair advantage in the digital health market.
- With $800 million in AUM and partnerships with about 24 companies to date, Define Ventures has become a significant player in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem, emphasizing strategic insights and a deep understanding of the healthcare industry.
- It is important to be a supportive and empathetic partner to founders.
- Define Ventures offers strategic insights and an 'unfair advantage' by leveraging partnerships with providers, payers, and employers to transform the industry and support founders on their journeys.
- The striking a balance between growth and profitability with portfolio companies and believes the next 48 months will be dynamic for healthcare ventures.
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