Your pitch is broken - here’s how to fix it.
In this episode, our hosts Chris and Melissa pull back the curtain on the art (and science) of pitching in healthcare. From metaphors that miss the mark, to crystal-clear pitches that spark interest, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and how to make your message stick.
Chris announces his participation in an upcoming South by Southwest panel alongside Dr. Jessica Jackson (Mental Health America), Steve Duke, and Dr. Andy Blackwell (ISO). They’ll discuss how AI can create more personalized, equitable, and effective care, “the right way”, with strong ethics and accountability. You can help bring their message to the stage by voting at sxsw.com - open until August 24th!
They also reflect on the current VC landscape, noting that what used to be a “seed” round has multiplied, and VCs are increasingly asking “Where’s your AI?”.
Connect with us!
Vote for Chris’s SXSW Panel: head over to sxsw.com to vote, search for the session title “Can AI Unlock the Next Frontier in Mental Healthcare?”, and tap the heart!
Join The Conversation: We’d love to hear your pitches and innovator insights. Connect with us on Discord for tons of discussion! https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Links from today’s episode:
VC Investment in AI is Skyrocketing: (IT Pro)https://www.itpro.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/vc-investment-in-ai-is-skyrocketing-funding-in-the-first-half-of-2025-was-more-than-the-whole-of-last-year-says-ey?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
