Led · Series A · Apr 2022

Nudj Health provides virtual care infrastructure that integrates behavioral health treatments into primary and specialty care using the collaborative care model and evidence-based, Medicare-approved clinical pathways. Its approach centers on six lifestyle areas: stress management, physical activity, sleep quality, social support, behavioral risks and nutrition. The company reports clinical effectiveness—moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and insomnia scores decreased 42–52% within 12 weeks—and patients experienced blood pressure and weight reduction or maintenance, improved mobility, and better medication adherence. Nudj has already integrated its service with several cardiology and oncology providers across the U.S. The company announced a $10 million Series A and plans to use the capital to grow clinical, technology, and commercial teams. Its stated goal is to rapidly scale turnkey, evidence-based behavioral health services in cardiology, oncology and primary care settings nationwide.

Participated · Equity · Dec 2021

Cooler Heads develops Amma™, which the company describes as the only FDA‑cleared portable scalp cooling system, designed to help chemotherapy patients keep their hair and preserve privacy. Amma provides infusion centers and patients flexibility to scalp cool where it is most convenient, using a continuous cooling system that eliminates the need for dry ice or frequent cap changes. By cooling the scalp before, during, and after chemotherapy, Amma reduces blood flow to hair follicles to shield them from chemotherapy drugs and prevent hair loss. The company was founded by breast cancer survivor Kate Dilligan, who serves as CEO. Cooler Heads positions Amma as a low‑friction therapy for infusion centers and notes the American Medical Association’s decision to elevate scalp cooling reimbursement codes to Category I starting January 2026 as creating momentum. The business also offers evidence‑based products, content, and services to help patients manage treatment side effects. Cooler Heads develops Amma, an FDA-cleared scalp-cooling medical device intended to help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy preserve their hair. The company positions its product as dramatically less expensive and easier to use than existing scalp-cooling solutions. Founder and CEO Kate Dilligan, a cancer survivor, built an early prototype herself and pursued clinical relationships before raising institutional capital. Cooler Heads announced FDA clearance and said it has signed multiple commercial partnerships and will begin serving patients in Q1 2022. The company highlighted its mission-driven focus on patient dignity and plans to push commercialization to make scalp cooling broadly accessible. Cooler Heads has been backed by several venture investors and industry leaders and has participated in accelerators and medtech competitions.

Participated · Seed · Nov 2019

Trials.ai offers a Smart Protocol Solution — AI-enabled software that guides research teams through development of clinical trial protocols. The company positions its product as a way to reduce poorly designed protocols that cause trial failures and wasted R&D spend. Trials.ai says it already has commercial traction and aims to accelerate deployment of its software to get treatments to patients faster. CEO Kim Walpole is noted as an experienced startup leader who has attracted strong staff and advisors. The company is based in San Diego and highlights clinical trials as a segment ripe for AI-driven optimization. Financially, Trials.ai completed an oversubscribed funding round to support its deployment plans.

Participated · Seed · Jun 2019

NeuraLace Medical is a San Diego–based medical device startup founded in 2016 by Shiv Shukla that is developing Axon Therapy, a magnetic-field device intended to stimulate damaged nerves and relieve chronic pain. The device is designed to "trick" the brain by stimulating the nerve causing pain, offering a non-opioid treatment option. After seven years of work the company received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. NeuraLace is pursuing FDA 510(k) clearance and Shukla anticipated approval could come as soon as Q2 2020. The company raised $3.85 million in seed funding and plans to use roughly $1.1 million for hardware and software development, with the remainder allocated to its FDA application, clinical studies, and building units for commercial launch. With the new funding NeuraLace intends to add five contract software engineers and a full-time senior sales leader, and previous investors have doubled down. NeuraLace Medical develops non-opioid pain reduction treatments focused on chronic nerve pain. Its first commercial product, Axon Therapy, uses targeted pulsed magnetic fields to stimulate and reactivate damaged nerves to manage pain. The company intends to secure FDA 510(k) approval and to launch Axon Therapy using the funds. Once approved, Axon Therapy devices will be manufactured by D&K Engineering in San Diego. The company is led by founder and CEO Shiv Shukla. It raised $2M in funding to support regulatory clearance and product launch.