Health Innovation Fund

The Health Innovation Fund, an initiative of the California Health Care Foundation based in California, invests in early-stage healthcare startups focused on improving health outcomes for underserved populations. Over its decade-long operation, the fund has deployed tens of millions into over 20 healthcare startups, with a recent strategic shift prioritizing companies founded by women and people of color. Annually, it typically allocates approximately $1 million to two to three later-stage companies and another $1 million in seed-stage funding across three to four younger startups. Its portfolio, overseen by Melissa Buckley, includes Clinify Health, co-founded by Nathan Pelzer and Eric Peebles, which recently secured $125,000 as part of a $3.1 million seed round. The fund is approximately 10 years old.