This article is part of a series sponsored by HLTH offering a preview of the HLTH conference.

As we head into year 5 of HLTH, November 13-16 in Las Vegas, it is more important than ever to bring the investor and startup community together in a way that drives meaningful conversations and generates growth opportunities.

HLTH offers a wide range of content, exhibits, and features geared for multiple players in healthcare such as investors, health system and providers, payers, medtech and biopharma, consumer tech and wellness, and investors. But there are also several programming features aimed at startups. Here’s a preview.

1.  HLTH’s Funding Founders Program

The goal is to match startup executives with investors in this curated matchmaking program. The investor-driven meetings in this ‘speed-dating’ format focus on efficiency while maximizing the number of meetings for both investors and startups. In 2021, there were over 1,000 investor meetings, making HLTH the place to engage in investment, discussion, and collaboration.  We’ve also brought the pitch stage within the Funding Founders Lounge, in addition to an experiential cafe.  

The Funding Founders Lounge will be accessible for investors during all hours of the conference and meetings there will be scheduled around the following dates and times: 

Monday November 14 

10 am to 5 pm 

Tuesday November 15 

10 am to 5 pm 

Wednesday November 16 

10 am to 12 pm

2.  StartUp Health Festival

This year marks the first time the StartUp Health festival lands at HLTH, having also brought the event to HLTH’s inaugural ViVE conference in Miami Beach in March.

In addition to compelling discussions on vital issues in healthcare, the StartUp Health Pavilion shines a spotlight on startups from around the world seeking to solve some of the most vexing challenges in healthcare. The StartUp Health Studio will showcase interviews with CEOs, investors, and thought leaders live.

There will also be pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings and curated networking with investors and potential customers for startups.

All StartUp Health Festival programming and activities are included with the purchase of a HLTH 2022 attendee ticket or exhibitor package, although StartUp Health portfolio companies receive special registration and exhibitor offers.

3.  UCSF | HealthHub Digital Health Awards    

The fourth annual UCSF | Health Hub: Digital Health Awards celebrate achievements of innovative health tech companies that improve healthcare through digital health technology in 11 different categories in two different tracks — rising stars and best in class.

Since 2019, UCSF | Health Hub, a digital health accelerator working with digital health startups from around the world, has hosted the Digital Health Awards to identify the most innovative upcoming digital health companies in the biggest areas of digital health, including telemedicine and application of AI, according to a press release.

Submissions from around the world will be evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges from the digital health sector. The event takes place on November 14 from 6:30pm – 7:30pm as a kickoff to HLTH’s popular Innovators’ Night at Zouk Nightclub in Resorts World. Only those who have registered for the HLTH conference may attend.

Want to be a judge? Click here to apply.

4.  Startup Pitches

Two startup pitch competitions will include novel and innovative companies taking on the healthcare industry’s most complex challenges.

Only one winner will be crowned in each pitch competition.

For the HLTH Startup Pitch, participants will include startups that are less than 5 years old and have raised less than $5 million in capital. It will include startups aligned around the themes of HLTH 2022.

Prizes include: 

$15,000 HLTH 2023 sponsorship credit

$15,000 check from HLTH

$10,000 AWS credits

The winner will also be recognized at the HLTH Innovators’ Reception

AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative Pitch competition finalists have to be early to mid-stage, with a working minimum viable product (MVP), pilot or in-market with early adopters or customers. Startups taking part in the competition focus on age tech and brain health.

Some of the AARP criteria included less than $1M in annual revenue, you have received less than $15M in investment, and have a US presence.  

The winner receives a $10,000 check from AARP and will be recognized at the HLTH Innovators’ Reception.

5.  Club Startup & Innovation Pavilions

Startups and accelerators featuring portfolio companies come together at HLTH to showcase the latest innovation and disruptive ideas. See pavilions from organizations such as AARP Innovation, ANDHealth (Australia), Cedars Sinai, AWS, Israeli Pavilion, MATTER, ScaleHealth, Startup Health, Plug and Play, to name a few. Interested in elevating your brand at HLTH? Learn more on how to apply for special discounted exhibiting opportunities.

Special Startup Rate

Health innovation startups that are less than three years old and have raised less than $3 million qualify to apply for a special rate, according to HLTH’s website.

The spirit of the startup rate is offered to ‘operators’ of health tech companies, not accelerators or professional service-based companies, advisers, consultants, law firms or board members.

To see if you qualify, click here.

Photo: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards, Getty Images