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Today, 7wireVentures and United States of Care announced Live Chair Health as the recipient of the Thomas J. Main Ignite Award. The award, which honors the legacy of the late Thomas J. Main, former Partner at 7wireVentures and founder of the Oliver Wyman Health Innovation Center, recognizes an early-stage, innovative start-up contributing to a more affordable and cost-efficient health care system and delivering improved health outcomes for the consumers they serve.

7wireVentures is a preeminent venture capital firm dedicated to building and investing in early-stage digital health companies supporting an Informed Connected Health Consumer. United States of Care is a leading national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to equitable, affordable health care.

“Thomas J. Main dedicated his career to redefining health care and improving the consumer experience. He believed in shifting the focus to prevention, early interventions, social determinants of health, and connecting the dots to ease the path to care,” said Robert Garber, Partner at 7wireVentures. “Live Chair Health embodies the spirit of the award – igniting change by increasing access and driving affordability in health care. I could not be more pleased to recognize Live Chair Health in honor of my late colleague Thomas Main.”

Live Chair Health was selected as this year’s award recipient in recognition of the company’s work decreasing health care disparities found among people of color by meeting people at places they trust, including barbershops, hair salons, and churches. The company is addressing system-wide challenges, and scaling their impact through collaborative partnerships between community stakeholders and key health care ecosystem organizations such as health providers and managed care organizations. Through this approach, Live Chair provides underserved and high-risk members with the true ability to obtain accessible, convenient, and affordable health care on an individual’s own terms.

“Our entire team at Live Chair Health is honored to be named the recipient of the Thomas J. Main Ignite Award,” said Andrew Suggs, founder and CEO of Live Chair Health. “Growing up, I recognized that the barbershop was a unique, safe social space where men came together to open up. Because of this, our team is focused on elevating hair professionals into becoming not only leaders in their community but also lifesavers for those who sit in their chairs.”

“Live Chair Health is taking a truly innovative approach to expanding access and increasing health equity. They bring critical information closer to people and build the connections that help people get the care they need, when they need it,” said Natalie Davis, United States of Care co-founder and CEO. “We’re thrilled to partner with 7wireVentures to honor Live Chair, who are charting a unique and effective course to a more equitable and affordable health care system.”

Learn more about Live Chair Health here.