We back exceptional healthcare founders.

FOUNDERS WHO, WHEN PAIRED WITH STRATEGIC CAPITAL, CAN TRANSFORM HEALTHCARE BY BUILDING GREAT COMPANIES ARE WHO WE SEEK TO WORK ALONGSIDE.
Jumpstart Nova is the institutional, strategic seed fund of the Jumpstart Health Investors platform.

Our founders are creating transformative businesses across the healthcare landscape.

We fund the innovators that will lower the cost of care for patients, improve patient outcomes, and increase the speed of positive change in our healthcare system.

  • Teamwork Healthcare
    Teamwork Healthcare
    Teamwork provides affordable, tech-forward, appropriately-staffed, community-based Applied Behavior...
  • Cellevolve
    Cellevolve
    Cellevolve is a novel development and commercialization biotech focused on transforming cell therapy...
  • ViuHealth
    ViuHealth
    ViuHealth is a virtual care solution designed to help people living with autoimmunity improve their...
  • Alerje
    Alerje
    Alerje, a Detroit-based, food allergy management innovation startup, is committed to increasing...
  • Intus Care
    Intus Care
    Intus Care is an innovative predictive analytics platform designed for geriatric health, empowering caregivers...
  • Time Study
    Time Study
    Time Study is the leading platform for conducting time studies in hospitals that transforms the process...
  • Health Cost IQ
    Health Cost IQ
    Health Cost IQ's enterprise SaaS platform uses proprietary smart algorithms to tackle the high cost of care for...
  • Therify
    Therify
    Therify is a personalized mental health benefit for companies. We help HR teams retain talent and...
  • Mae
    Mae
    Mae is a culturally responsive digital first solution built to address the specific clinical, social, and...
  • Feno
    Feno
    Feno is an oral health platform that integrates hardware, software, and services to deliver exceptional oral care....
  • SoHookd
    SoHookd
    SoHookd is a wellness hub for enterprises. SoHookd's platform helps healthcare carriers and employers..
  • Teamwork Healthcare
    Teamwork Healthcare
    Teamwork provides affordable, tech-forward, appropriately-staffed, community-based Applied Behavior...
  • Cellevolve
    Cellevolve
    Cellevolve is a novel development and commercialization biotech focused on transforming cell therapy...
  • ViuHealth
    ViuHealth
    ViuHealth is a virtual care solution designed to help people living with autoimmunity improve their...
  • Alerje
    Alerje
    Alerje, a Detroit-based, food allergy management innovation startup, is committed to increasing...
  • Intus Care
    Intus Care
    Intus Care is an innovative predictive analytics platform designed for geriatric health, empowering caregivers...
  • Time Study
    Time Study
    Time Study is the leading platform for conducting time studies in hospitals that transforms the process...
  • Health Cost IQ
    Health Cost IQ
    Health Cost IQ's enterprise SaaS platform uses proprietary smart algorithms to tackle the high cost of care for...
  • Therify
    Therify
    Therify is a personalized mental health benefit for companies. We help HR teams retain talent and...
  • Mae
    Mae
    Mae is a culturally responsive digital first solution built to address the specific clinical, social, and...
  • Feno
    Feno
    Feno is an oral health platform that integrates hardware, software, and services to deliver exceptional oral care....
  • SoHookd
    SoHookd
    SoHookd is a wellness hub for enterprises. SoHookd's platform helps healthcare carriers and employers..

Who We Are

Experienced healthcare venture investors.

Our partners have been leaders in early-stage healthcare venture investing for the last 10+ years, launched a historic Fund I, and our performance has elevated us to be the institutional, strategic seed fund on the Jumpstart Health Investors platform.

 

We are based in Nashville, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California.

What We Do

We find, invest in, and support uniquely qualified, passionate founders who are dedicating their lives to making healthcare in America better.

We invest in seed and series A healthcare companies building in Health IT, Digital Health, Tech-enabled Services, Consumer Health and Wellness, and Medicaid Services. We are healthcare startup experts, and we are incredibly connected in the healthcare industry.

How We Partner

We are engaged investors.

We partner with our founders, shoulder to shoulder, to build great and impactful healthcare businesses.
  • Kwaku Owusu

    Kwaku Owusu

    Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer

    ViuHealth

    "Jumpstart Nova has been an invaluable investor for ViuHealth. The resources they provide are so much more than capital. Marcus's focus on sales and his solid tactical approach to customer acquisition has enabled us to build a sales strategy and competency that has garnered excellent results."

  • Derrell Porter, MD, MBA

    Derrell Porter, MD, MBA

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Cellevolve

    “Marcus has been an outstanding board member and investor for Cellevolve. Jumpstart Nova’s investment was catalytic for launching the company. His agility and ability to think quickly on his feet is a great complement to my skill set and our various advisors. I am very excited to be on this journey with Jumpstart Nova, especially as a Black founder.”

  • Erika Byers, Ph.D.

    Erika Byers, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & Chief Clinical Officer

    Teamwork Healthcare

    “We are supremely grateful for the support Jumpstart Nova provides as our lead investor. As new founders, we knew we needed a lead investor with capital and a network, but Marcus at Jumpstart Nova has surpassed all expectations. With his support, we are on track to have an outstanding year with a strong strategic plan and long-term growth initiatives.”

  • Javier Evelyn

    Javier Evelyn

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Alerje

    “The Jumpstart Nova team have served as strategic as well as operational partners from day one. Kathryne has been invaluable in her willingness to roll her sleeves up to help Alerje navigate any mission critical items; she's been an incredible Board Member as well! Jumpstart Nova has been an incredible value add, while still aligning with our values and mission at Alerje.”

  • B.J. Wiley Williams

    B.J. Wiley Williams

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    SoHookd

    “Marcus has been an invaluable partner throughout the SoHookd journey. He's a strong critical thinker who cares deeply, consistently providing thoughtful and insightful feedback. His early insights on product-market-fit inspired us to prioritize sales which has led to strong results. As a founder, I recognize it takes a village. I'm excited and grateful that Marcus and the Jumpstart Nova team are a part of our village providing unparalleled support to amplify our impact.”

  • Jude Odu

    Jude Odu

    Co-founder, President & Chief Product Officer

    Health Cost IQ

    "I have previously attended many of Marcus's insightful talks that are part of Jumpstart Foundry's startup programming. His knowledge of the startup world and his experience with the healthcare technology ecosystem have always been a source of invaluable information for me. Now being able to work closely with Marcus and having Jumpstart Nova as an investor in our company is very exciting. I am thrilled to become a Nova portfolio company, and look forward to achieving new milestones with Nova's help."
  • Maya Hardigan

    Maya Hardigan

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Mae

    "It has been so meaningful to our team at Mae to align with investors who have a depth of understanding of our industry, and also an intense passion for solving the challenge we are tackling - reducing maternal health disparities for people of color. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Kathryne, who is a true champion for our work, and a partner, in every regard."
  • Kenny Brown

    Kenny Brown

    Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Feno

    "Kathryne has been more than just an investor for us—she’s been a true partner. Her proactive involvement, from valuable introductions to insightful product feedback, has brought immense value to our journey. Kathryne’s solution driven approach and genuine dedication to our success extend well beyond her investment. Her partnership has made a real difference, and we’re grateful to have her and Jumpstart Nova by our side."
  • Kwaku Owusu

    Kwaku Owusu

    Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer

    ViuHealth

    "Jumpstart Nova has been an invaluable investor for ViuHealth. The resources they provide are so much more than capital. Marcus's focus on sales and his solid tactical approach to customer acquisition has enabled us to build a sales strategy and competency that has garnered excellent results."

  • Derrell Porter, MD, MBA

    Derrell Porter, MD, MBA

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Cellevolve

    “Marcus has been an outstanding board member and investor for Cellevolve. Jumpstart Nova’s investment was catalytic for launching the company. His agility and ability to think quickly on his feet is a great complement to my skill set and our various advisors. I am very excited to be on this journey with Jumpstart Nova, especially as a Black founder.”

  • Erika Byers, Ph.D.

    Erika Byers, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & Chief Clinical Officer

    Teamwork Healthcare

    “We are supremely grateful for the support Jumpstart Nova provides as our lead investor. As new founders, we knew we needed a lead investor with capital and a network, but Marcus at Jumpstart Nova has surpassed all expectations. With his support, we are on track to have an outstanding year with a strong strategic plan and long-term growth initiatives.”

  • Javier Evelyn

    Javier Evelyn

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Alerje

    “The Jumpstart Nova team have served as strategic as well as operational partners from day one. Kathryne has been invaluable in her willingness to roll her sleeves up to help Alerje navigate any mission critical items; she's been an incredible Board Member as well! Jumpstart Nova has been an incredible value add, while still aligning with our values and mission at Alerje.”

  • B.J. Wiley Williams

    B.J. Wiley Williams

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    SoHookd

    “Marcus has been an invaluable partner throughout the SoHookd journey. He's a strong critical thinker who cares deeply, consistently providing thoughtful and insightful feedback. His early insights on product-market-fit inspired us to prioritize sales which has led to strong results. As a founder, I recognize it takes a village. I'm excited and grateful that Marcus and the Jumpstart Nova team are a part of our village providing unparalleled support to amplify our impact.”

  • Jude Odu

    Jude Odu

    Co-founder, President & Chief Product Officer

    Health Cost IQ

    "I have previously attended many of Marcus's insightful talks that are part of Jumpstart Foundry's startup programming. His knowledge of the startup world and his experience with the healthcare technology ecosystem have always been a source of invaluable information for me. Now being able to work closely with Marcus and having Jumpstart Nova as an investor in our company is very exciting. I am thrilled to become a Nova portfolio company, and look forward to achieving new milestones with Nova's help."
  • Maya Hardigan

    Maya Hardigan

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Mae

    "It has been so meaningful to our team at Mae to align with investors who have a depth of understanding of our industry, and also an intense passion for solving the challenge we are tackling - reducing maternal health disparities for people of color. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Kathryne, who is a true champion for our work, and a partner, in every regard."
  • Kenny Brown

    Kenny Brown

    Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Feno

    "Kathryne has been more than just an investor for us—she’s been a true partner. Her proactive involvement, from valuable introductions to insightful product feedback, has brought immense value to our journey. Kathryne’s solution driven approach and genuine dedication to our success extend well beyond her investment. Her partnership has made a real difference, and we’re grateful to have her and Jumpstart Nova by our side."

Meet Our Team

Marcus Whitney

Marcus Whitney

Founder, Managing Partner

Kathryne Cooper, MBA

Kathryne Cooper, MBA

General Partner

Connect With Us