Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Extra shifts are not a funding plan.
Most physician founders I meet plan to pay for their company by picking up extra clinical shifts. In this week’s episode I share what I learned building Imagine Pediatrics, starting with my first pitch to the CEO of UnitedHealthcare: grants, pitch competitions, early customers and investors can all extend your runway. A letter of intent from a future customer does more for your raise than another month of your own savings. This week, list three people who could become your first customer and ask one of them for a conversation.
Podcast · Episode 83 · 22 min
How Physician Founders Can Fund and Grow Their Startups
Alison Curfman, MD, shares lessons from her experience as a healthcare founder and co-founder of Imagine Pediatrics, including the story of her first founder pitch to the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Blog
Before you build your healthcare product, know who will pay for it
The user, the beneficiary, the champion, the decision-maker and the economic buyer are often five different people. Can you name each of them for your idea?
Read the post → 2-minute read
Events
Live Q&A
Startup Physicians Incubator: Live Q&A
Thursday, 5 November 20261:00 pm CT · OnlineFor physicians considering the Incubator. Bring your questions about Cohort 2, the program and whether it fits what you are building.
- Learn more →
Startup Physicians Pavilion @ HLTH
Sunday–Tuesday, 15–17 November 2026Venetian Expo, Las Vegas - Register →
Venture Building Workshop
Tuesday, 17 November 20269:00–10:30 am PT · Room 3106, Venetian Expo, Las Vegas