Inside the Deal: Healthcare VCs to Watch with Kristi Ebong - Digital Health Innovation, Fundraising, and Founder Discipline
Welcome to Inside the Deal: Healthcare VCs to Watch, a video series spotlighting VCs and investors who are shaping the future of healthcare. In this episode, Kristi Ebong — a seasoned health tech operator turned VC at HealthX Ventures — joins Nixon Law Group’s Carrie Nixon to discuss how early‑stage digital health companies can raise capital, go beyond fundraising distractions, and build meaningful innovation.
Whether you’re a first‑time founder or seasoned operator, this conversation is packed with hard‑won lessons from inside both the startup trenches and the funding table.
Timestamps
0:00 – Intro to Inside the Deal
Meet Kristi Ebong and Carrie Nixon as they introduce this special episode focused on digital health innovation, fundraising discipline, and founder focus.
1:22 – Kristi’s Unconventional Path to Venture Capital
Kristi shares how her early career in government, emerging technology, and provider systems shaped her perspective as a healthcare investor today.
3:25 – What Founders Get Wrong About Fundraising
Why too many startups treat fundraising like a full-time job—and how that mindset can undermine their ability to build meaningful businesses.
5:12 – “Build the Business, Not Just the Deck”
Kristi explains why traction, not pitch polish, wins investor trust. Founders must align product, user insight, and execution—before chasing capital.
8:40 – Lessons from Both Sides of the Table
From operator to investor, Kristi shares hard-won lessons on managing risk, earning trust, and why storytelling matters at every stage.
11:15 – How to Navigate Today’s Market Headwinds
Kristi unpacks current investor sentiment and how founders can adapt to reduced funding cycles, increased scrutiny, and shifting expectations.
14:55 – What VCs Look for in First Meetings
Clear signals that a founder is fundable—and common pitfalls Kristi sees in early pitches, especially in digital health.
17:50 – Asking the Right Questions (Yes, You Should Diligence Your Investors)
Kristi explains why founders should evaluate VCs just as thoroughly as VCs evaluate them—and the questions that reveal real alignment.
21:04 – Final Advice for Founders
From conviction to clarity, Kristi offers motivating closing advice for healthcare builders who want to stand out, scale well, and stay sane.
Quotes from Kristi
“Don’t just fundraise—build.”
Kristi Ebong reminds early-stage founders not to get distracted by investor timelines.
“From $0 to $10 million”
Kristi breaks down the leap from early traction to scalable growth, and why founder focus is the difference maker.
“Now is the time to get into healthcare.”
Whether you're a first-time founder or seasoned operator, Kristi says there’s never been more urgency, or opportunity.
Featured Q&A
What’s the biggest mistake early-stage founders make when fundraising?
Focusing on raising money instead of building the business. Kristi emphasizes the importance of hitting milestones over chasing checks—you need traction, not just term sheets.
How should I think about go-to-market as a healthcare founder?
According to Kristi, you need to be laser-focused. The healthcare market is complex, and spreading yourself too thin can kill momentum. Know your wedge, define your ICP, and scale from there.
Is now a good time to launch a healthcare startup?
Yes. Kristi believes healthcare is at a turning point, and mission-driven founders who can pair focus with execution are in a strong position to build meaningful companies.
How do I scale from $0 to $10 million in revenue?
It’s not a linear path. Kristi discusses how the strategy, team, and capital needs shift dramatically post–product-market fit—and how staying disciplined through the early years sets the stage for sustainable growth.
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