Category: Perspectives

The Heart of the Matter: Why Cardiovascular Disease Is Digital Health’s Next Frontier

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming approximately 916,000 lives in 2023 and affecting nearly one in two American adults. It is not a single condition but a constellation of disorders, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, arrhythmias, and peripheral artery disease, that together impose a staggering $627 billion annual burden in direct healthcare costs and lost productivity. By 2050, that figure is projected to nearly triple to $1.8 trillion as the population ages and prevalence rises.

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7wire Ventures Presents: Top of the Ladder Featuring When Insurance CEO Andy Hamilton

Andy Hamilton is CEO and cofounder of When Insurance, an AI-powered workforce transitions platform that helps employers and transitioning employees navigate post-employment health insurance options, reducing overall healthcare costs. A serial entrepreneur and tech veteran, Andy brings deep expertise in scaling B2B marketplaces and a mission-driven focus on transforming the employee offboarding experience. His unique combination of operational excellence from building enterprise SaaS platforms and firsthand understanding of HR pain points positions him to revolutionize how companies manage employee transitions.

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2026 Predictions

2025 was a year of recalibration for healthcare. After a period of rapid expansion and capital-driven growth, the market has shifted toward discipline. Employers, payers, and providers have refocused on cost reduction, access, and measurable impact. We have seen digital health adoption continue to grow for solutions that can demonstrate measurable value or cost savings, AI move from promise to practice, and consolidation accelerate as organizations pursue scale and efficiency.
As we enter 2026, the question is now which models can endure and empower consumers with proven approaches. Digital-first access will become the default entry point to care. Evidence, transparency, and accountability will be table stakes. And consumers, facing rising costs, will increasingly shape how we access, navigate, and experience care.
7wire’s 2026 predictions reflect this transition and outline the forces we believe will define the next phase of connected, consumer-driven healthcare.

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7wire Ventures Presents: Top of the Ladder Featuring WellTheory CEO Ellen Rudolph

Ellen Rudolph is the CEO and co-founder of WellTheory, a digital health company that is revolutionizing the way consumers with autoimmune disorders receive care. Today, the more than 50 million Americans who suffer from an autoimmune disorder face an incredibly fragmented experience, leading to many years of misdiagnosis, limited access to specialists, and reactive, symptom-suppressing care. WellTheory seeks to reimagine this process by bringing evidence-based clinical programming, personalized coaching, and AI-powered tools that address root causes and not just the symptoms. Prior to founding WellTheory, Ellen led Product at Oscar Health and at Everlane.

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StartUp Health Fireside Chat: Navigating Healthcare’s Most Dynamic Era with Glen Tullman

Visionary leader Glen Tullman, CEO of Transcarent and co-founding Partner of 7wire Ventures, joined StartUp Health community members for a candid conversation about the shifting healthcare landscape, what founders must do to stay close to customers, and why simplifying the consumer experience is the surest path to progress.

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Redefining the Benefits Equation: Innovation in Employer Healthcare

Employer-sponsored healthcare has long been the backbone of the U.S. system, covering more than 160 million Americans and representing over $1.4 trillion in annual spending. But today, that foundation is under strain. Costs are rising at the fastest pace in more than a decade, employees are often confused or disengaged with their benefits, and many digital health solutions are still nascent in their development and have yet to deliver concrete ROI.

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7wire Ventures Presents: Top of the Ladder Featuring Zerigo Health CEO Lisa Rometty

Lisa Rometty is CEO of Zerigo Health, a digital health company transforming care for chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema through connected, at-home phototherapy. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare technology and services, she brings deep expertise in building innovative, patient-centered care models. Zerigo’s FDA-cleared handheld phototherapy device, paired with a smartphone app and remote clinical support, makes effective treatment accessible in the home.

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StartUp Health NOW Podcast: How Founders Should Navigate Health Innovation Fundraising in 2025

On this episode of StartUp Health NOW, dive into a compelling conversation with Lee Shapiro, managing partner of 7wire Ventures, as he unravels the complexities of digital health investment in today’s challenging market. Discover how successful healthcare startups are adapting to a landscape marked by IPO stagnation and reduced funding streams.

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Turning Lifespan into Healthspan: The Future of Longevity

Modern healthcare is under growing pressure to evolve. Longer life expectancies, rising rates of chronic disease, and a widening disconnect between consumer expectations and traditional care models are driving the need for change. In this context, the emerging longevity sector offers a new lens through which to rethink health. Rather than focusing solely on lifespan, longevity emphasizes healthspan—the number of years individuals remain healthy and active. Through advances in diagnostics, biotechnology, therapeutics, AI, and digital health platforms, this field aims to slow, prevent, and even reverse age-related decline.

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7wire Ventures Presents: Top of the Ladder Featuring Cylinder Health CEO Bill Snyder

Bill Snyder is the Founder & CEO of Cylinder Health, a digital health company transforming how gastrointestinal (GI) care is delivered. With more than 70% of Americans experiencing GI issues multiple times a month, Cylinder addresses a significant and often overlooked area of healthcare through a comprehensive, virtual-first platform. The company provides members with personalized care plans, access to a coordinated team of gastroenterologists, dietitians, and health coaches, and tools for symptom tracking and behavior change. By partnering with employers and health plans, Cylinder improves outcomes, reduces absenteeism, and lowers total cost of care.

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