Tampa Bay HealthTech Meetup Q2 Recap: Funding for HealthTech Startups

Tampa General Hospital’s TGH Ventures and Embarc Collective brought together healthcare industry professionals, startup talent, investors, and community members for an insightful discussion on funding strategies for healthtech startups.

The panel delivered a clear message: Start early, stay intentional, and let learning, not timing, drive your funding journey.

Panel Insights

Build Relationships Early

Matt Rice, Partner at Ballast Point Ventures, emphasized that successful investments are years in the making. Most investments begin years before any deal is done, with Matt meeting founders they invest in at least 2 years before writing a check. His advice? Start building investor relationships before you need to raise capital.

There’s No Perfect Time to Raise

Balaji Ramadoss, former CEO of Egility, reminded attendees that waiting until you feel “ready” can actually hold back innovation. He entered early funding conversations not with a perfect pitch, but with a willingness to learn and adapt. By using investor feedback to strengthen his business along the way, he ultimately bootstrapped his way to a successful private equity exit.

Solve the Right Problem for the Right People

Ryan Schneider, Co-Founder of Thrive25, stressed the importance of clarity in positioning as he raises capital for his health and longevity startup. In today’s market, founders must know: Who are you solving for? Why do they care? And how are you uniquely positioned to serve them, with passion and purpose?

Key Takeaway

Whether you’re building long-term investor relationships, navigating imperfect funding conversations, or refining your market focus, successful founders show up with clarity and curiosity, even before they feel “ready.” The panel reinforced that capital should be viewed as a tool, not a crutch, and that execution velocity remains the clearest signal of value.

The Tampa Bay HealthTech Meetup continues quarterly, fostering connections among industry professionals and sharing insights from top healthcare thought leaders.

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