A coalition of Black and Latine leaders in health technology has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States, citing her commitment to health equity and technological innovation, Black Enterprise reports. Public letter endorses Harris In an open letter, signed by over 20 health tech leaders, the group outlined their vision for a healthcare system that prioritizes health equity and uses technology to improve access for marginalized communities. They emphasized the importance of increasing representation of Black and Latine professionals in leadership roles within health technology,
This article is sponsored by MITRE. MITRE, a nonprofit renowned for tackling the nation’s most complex challenges, is breaking new ground with its latest initiative, MITRE RISE. This six-month accelerator is designed to help tech founders of color turn their innovative ideas into viable, real-world solutions, through hands-on mentorship, cutting-edge resources, and an extensive network of health and technology experts. Their inaugural 2025 cohort is dedicated to accelerating the development of health IT solutions. Applications for the 2025 program close on October 31, 2024. Innovation through collaboration Kike Oduba, founder
Dr. Leeja Carter has developed a smart refrigerator device that provides free healthy food items to schools and hospitals. Dr. Carter is the CEO and founder of Coalition for Food and Health Equity (CFHE), which she launched after the pandemic when she recognized an increase in the number of people without food. Dr. Carter now has several programs, including The Ujamaa Cafe and Ujamaa Well, which offer food and wellness innovation with access programs addressing food and health access. The Ujamaa Cafe Fridge Program The Ujamaa Cafe has now expanded
DigitalHealth.London has launched their Leap program dedicated to championing inclusivity and supporting founders from diverse backgrounds in digital health. Digital Health uses information and communications technologies in medicine and other health progressions to manage illnesses and health risks. According to a report from The Treasury Committee in 2021, less than 2% of all venture capital funding went to Black and ethnic minority-led businesses. The DigitalHealth.London aims to sustain and expand an active digital health market in London by helping to overcome challenges that hold innovators back. Therefore, the program is open to founders from
Blair Matthews, a Howard alumnus from Zanzibar, and Giuliana Zaccardelli founded a digital health startup with a mission to provide fertility services to families. Zuri Fertility Zuri Fertility was launched in honor of Infertility Awareness Month as a personal digital fertility clinic in June, Zuri meaning good and beautiful in Swahili. They provide personalized fertility care with an online questionnaire to meet each individual need, a home testing tracker for both partners involved, a message center, and a larger community for the couple to get support from others. It also
Kenya-based MyDawa, a technology-based service enabling consumers to purchase authentic, high-quality medicine, health, and wellness products, has raised $20 million in funding. They raised money from private equity investor Alta Semper Capital to expand its regional reach and product offerings to become an all-in-one health platform for users. The growth plans will be steered by MyDawa’s new CEO Priscilla Muhiu. “Alta Semper’s ambition matches that of MyDawa, and it brings the drive, connections, and clout to succeed,” co-founder Neil O’Leary told TechCrunch. MyDawa’s Story MyDawa aims to ensure that every
London-based healthcare jobs marketplace platform, Nolea Health, has secured £1 million ($1.2 million) in seed funding to tackle mental healthcare staff shortages. The financing round was led by Frontline Ventures, with participation from Calm/Storm Ventures and other notable industry figures, including Anne Heraty, ex-CEO of CPL Resources, and Mahiben Maruthappu, CEO of Cera. Nolea Health’s platform matches mental healthcare clinicians with vacant jobs across different healthcare organizations, reducing the time taken to hire staff by up to 90% and the sourcing costs by up to 85%. Addressing the mental health crisis with
