#USA #Chicago #Nurse Capital #Science Center #Nurse Founders

Nurse Capital Launches New Initiative for Nurse Entrepreneurs

As Nurses Month comes to a close, Nurse Capital, a venture capital firm centered on investing in nurse-led initiatives, proudly announces a groundbreaking collaboration with the University City Science Center in Philadelphia. This partnership aims to identify promising nurse-founded startups that can potentially join the Science Center's Capital Readiness Program (CRP).

The CRP is a five-day, immersive boot camp designed specifically for healthcare startups focusing on devices, diagnostics, and digital health. As an exclusive program offered at no cost, it prepares participants for their first major venture capital funding round, typically exceeding $1 million.

Beth A. Brooks, PhD, RN, FACHE, and Co-founder of Nurse Capital, stated, "Numerous nurse founders are currently engaged in bootstrapping, securing grant funding, and seeking small angel investments while also testing their products and participating in pitch competitions. However, there is often a significant gap for these founders between the initial stage of innovation and being fully prepared for institutional venture capital funding."

Nurse founders are distinguished by their in-depth clinical knowledge and firsthand experiences in healthcare delivery. They may also have substantial operational leadership expertise within complex healthcare systems. Yet, as Brooks notes, they face formidable challenges, including accessing essential commercialization strategies, becoming investor-ready, structuring fundraising efforts, scaling their operations, and establishing a go-to-market framework needed to evolve their promising healthcare innovations into robust, venture-scalable businesses.

The collaboration with the University City Science Center is designed specifically to pinpoint suitable candidates for the CRP, which is conducted triannually, with 10 startups selected for each cohort. This initiative will offer participants tailored mentoring from Science Center’s Investors-in-Residence and subject-matter experts on crucial aspects of fundraising. This includes guidance on transitioning from building a capital table to safeguarding intellectual property and managing board functions. Through case studies and simulated “stress-test” scenarios reflective of typical startup obstacles, attendees will gain valuable insights into industry expectations from both payors and providers.

Dan Weberg, PhD, MHI, RN, FAAN, another General Partner at Nurse Capital, expressed confidence in the initiative, stating, "We strongly believe that healthcare innovation—especially innovations led by nurses—requires more specialized support systems for founders compared to the general startup incubators and accelerators currently available. Our partnership with the Science Center represents a meaningful step towards strengthening the network of support vital for nurse-specific innovations and entrepreneurship."

The next cohort session for the Capital Readiness Program is slated to take place from December 7-11, 2026, with an application deadline of August 21. Interested parties are encouraged to apply and learn more about the CRP and its offerings by visiting Nurse Capital's official website.

About Nurse Capital

Nurse Capital is a Chicago-based venture fund that invests in early-stage, nurse-led businesses with high growth potential, driving transformation in the healthcare sector. To learn more about their mission and opportunities, visit Nurse Capital.

About the University City Science Center

The Science Center serves as a significant catalyst for entrepreneurial activity, health innovation, and economic development. Recognized by The Brookings Institution for its impact, the Science Center has supported numerous early and growth-stage companies, contributing an impressive $7.8 billion in annual economic effects in the Greater Philadelphia area. Global in its outreach, the Science Center also strives to expedite the transition of health innovations into actionable solutions while promoting nationally acclaimed STEM education among the youth of Philadelphia. More information can be found at Science Center.