NOLAHI Challenge Takes the Stage at MedStartr Momentum Conference
NOLABA Venture for America fellow and manager of business development and strategy Sally Lindsay shares her experience attending and speaking about the New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge (NOLAHI) at the 2017 MedStartr Momentum conference in New York. Apply now for NOLAHI.
NOLABA has officially launched the New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge (NOLAHI), a groundbreaking initiative designed to connect the city’s leading local healthcare stakeholders with the best high-growth startups by encouraging entrepreneurs to submit digital health solutions to Challenge Statements. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Ochsner Health System, Tulane Health System and Lafayette General Foundation all participated by posing challenge statements.
NOLABA’s vision is for these connections to accelerate business activity in New Orleans and empower innovators and investors to leverage New Orleans’ unique and growing health tech ecosystem to solve critical health challenges.
*We need YOUR help to spread the word to entrepreneurs you know!*
We have three important themes to present. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Ochsner Health System have proposed a joint Diabetes Care Challenge, working to combat one of the leading causes of death in our region. Tulane Health System’s Challenge Statement focuses on patient navigation, and Lafayette General Foundation is seeking digital health solutions around interoperability (including blockchain).
The Challenge will culminate at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) in March 2018 when finalists will pitch their tailor-made solutions. Selected finalist(s) are eligible to receive a cash prize of up to $36,000, as well as the opportunity to receive in-kind prizes, such as free co-working space, a spot on a startup accelerator program, and more.
We have been hard at work spreading the word to drive submissions to NOLAHI, including a launch event Nov. 16 that drew more than 150 attendees. Read about the launch in the New Orleans Advocate and Biz New Orleans, and join the conversation on social media using #NOLAHI.
In addition, I was invited to present about NOLABA’s new initiative at MedStartr’s annual conference Nov. 30. Click to watch the video and understand our strategy for building city-wide innovation in healthcare.
However, we all know the most powerful way to share a message is through word of mouth. I hope you can help spread the word about the New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge by reaching out to any health-tech entrepreneurs or communities you know and inviting them to help transform health outcomes here in New Orleans.
