My Summer With Verge HealthTech Fund
This summer, I had the opportunity to intern with Verge HealthTech Fund, a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage technologies that make healthcare more accessible, affordable, of higher quality, and more efficient.
A kaleidoscope of innovation
One of the most interesting aspects of my internship was the sheer variety of start-ups I encountered. Each day brought a new learning experience. One day, I assessed a digital health start-up targeting a specific disease area, and the next, I delved into a company developing cutting-edge technology focused on another. It felt like an intensive course on the entire healthcare ecosystem, covering everything from reimbursement pathways to disease-specific analyses.
It was especially insightful to explore the disparities between developed and low-to-middle-income countries. In developed countries, advanced healthcare technologies and well-established reimbursement systems make accessing new products relatively easier. In contrast, low-to-middle-income countries face significant barriers, such as limited infrastructure and fewer financial resources, challenging access to even basic healthcare.
I was impressed by how clear Verge’s investment thesis was. Verge focused on impactful technologies for underserved markets, emphasising innovations that can bridge the gap and provide much-needed solutions to those often left behind in the race for (often more expensive) technological advancements in healthcare.
Navigating uncertainty
The venture capital landscape is filled with uncertainty. Analysing each start-up was challenging, especially when technologies spanned such diverse fields, from mental health to infectious diseases. Many start-ups were in their early stages; some still needed to generate revenue, making it challenging to perform due diligence. I asked myself, how could I assess a start-up’s growth potential during its early stages?
Through mentorship and insightful conversations with investment associates, I learned to ask the right questions and developed a framework for evaluating these early-stage companies.
I knew it wasn’t just about financial metrics but also about understanding how these technologies could be adapted to different environments and what real-world problems they aimed to solve, particularly in low-resource settings.
A global perspective
Working with a globally distributed team was another highlight of my internship. Team members were spread across Asia, Europe, and the US, and it was fascinating to see how everyone adapted to different time zones to collaborate effectively.
Sitting in on investment committee meetings was particularly enlightening. Hearing feedback from different partners, who were both open and collaborative yet willing to challenge each other, was a valuable learning experience. It made me reflect on the essence of the venture capital world—disruptive technology often challenges the status quo, and constructive debate is crucial in identifying these game-changers.
Before INSEAD, my career had been highly specialised, focusing on just one product in the diagnostics space. Now, I am gaining a broader, more holistic perspective of the healthcare landscape.
I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship I received at Verge, guiding me whenever I strayed off the track and helping me focus on relevant details. I am deeply thankful to Verge for this incredible opportunity and the Hoffmann Institute for supporting me this summer.
This internship experience was supported by the INSEAD Hoffmann Institute Impact Internship Stipend and gifts from alumni.