About the author: Srushti Katore (Tandon '23) is the Co-founder of CARA Systems, Inc, which is dedicated to pioneering a transformative innovation in the field of medical science and engineering
I attended around ten events during NY Tech Week (June 1 - 7), primarily focused on AI in healthcare, digital health innovation, and founder-investor networking at the seed and pre-seed stage. The events ranged from healthcare panels and startup showcases to founder meetups and reverse pitch sessions, where investors presented their theses and what they are actively looking for in emerging companies.
One of the biggest takeaways was gaining a clearer understanding of where the industry is heading in the age of AI. Across both healthcare and venture discussions, there was a strong focus on practical adoption, workflow integration, and measurable outcomes rather than AI for the sake of AI. It was interesting to hear perspectives from both the builders creating new technologies and the buyers within the healthcare ecosystem who ultimately decide whether those technologies get adopted.
A particularly memorable discussion came from a healthcare-focused event centered on technology adoption within heathcare systems. The conversation highlighted the difference between what founders often think is most important and what healthcare organizations actually prioritize. Founders tend to focus on innovation, features, and technical sophistication, while healthcare buyers are often more concerned with implementation, workflow disruption, reimbursement, and operational impact. That perspective was incredibly valuable and reinforced the importance of building solutions that fit naturally into existing clinical environments.
The founder and investor events were equally insightful. The reverse pitch sessions provided a unique look into how investors are evaluating early-stage companies today, what trends they are excited about, and where they see the biggest opportunities emerging. It was helpful to understand not only what investors are looking for, but also how they think about market timing, defensibility, and long-term company building.
Beyond the sessions themselves, the networking opportunities were fantastic. I had the chance to connect with founders, investors, operators, and healthcare professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. Several conversations led to warm introductions and potential opportunities for future collaboration, making the week valuable not only for learning but also for relationship building.
Overall, the experience provided a much deeper understanding of the current AI and healthcare landscape and will directly influence how we continue building and positioning our company. It reinforced the importance of balancing technological innovation with real-world adoption needs and staying closely aligned with both customer and investor expectations.
And of course, a bonus highlight was getting to experience some incredible views of New York City from many of the event venues throughout the week.
Stay up to date on upcoming events, deadlines, news, and more by signing up for our newsletters!
