The Venture Reality Fund/VRF invests in innovators in AI & Spatial Computing for consumer and enterprise sectors.

The Venture Reality Fund/VRF

Ziegler LinkAge Longevity Fund is an investment Fund

Ziegler LinkAge Longevity Fund

SustainVC is an early-stage impact investing venture capital fund that makes market-rate equity investments.

SustainVC

The WXR Fund invests in early stage start-ups with gender diverse teams that are employing VR, AR and AI.  The portfolio spans industries including healthcare, enterprise training, remote collaboration, entertainment, education, AEC, retail and e-commerce from pre-seed to series A.

WXR Fund

ETF@JFFLabs

Embodied Labs

Embodied Labs is an immersive training platform that improves outcomes in training, awareness, and family and caregiver support. The company's goal is to activate transformational cultural change in long term care, home health, government, non-profit, and academic organizations by changing the way professional and family caregivers view and care for older adults. Embodied Labs, winner of the 2018 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global XR in Education Prize Challenge, delivers cutting-edge senior care training solutions. Practical and user-friendly, the Embodied Labs platform immerses healthcare professionals in curriculum that simultaneously builds skills and empathy to help care workers excel and be confident in working. With a robust data analytics backend, the Embodied Labs platform tracks each care-giver's training to provide feedback on performance and a pathway to improvement. Embodied Labs was founded on 2016 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Embodied Labs provides a virtual reality (VR) immersed training platform for elderly caregivers, applicable to those involved in home caregiving, senior living facilities, hospice, and nursing schools, among others. The training is built around VR placing caregivers in the position of the elderly person, thereby taking advantage of VR being more effective than lectures or reading as a means of learning retention rates.

A concentration of wealth and a willingness to adopt age-in-place technologies present new opportunities.

Age Tech

Embodied Labs is a pioneering company that offers an innovative, immersive training platform designed to foster empathy and compassion in caregivers and healthcare professionals. Their cutting-edge technology leverages virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree video experiences, enabling users to embody the perspectives and lived experiences of individuals with various health conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and end-of-life care scenarios.

Free immersive online training available for California caregivers

Immersive Training Platform

Expert Conversations on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Alzheimer’s: Carrie Shaw, MS, Family Caregiver, CEO & Founder, Embodied Labs

Simplifying healthcare resourcing with technology

Healthcare Resourcing Platforms

VR-powered caregiver training tool Embodied Labs raises $3.2M seed round

Embodied Labs provides a virtual reality (VR) immersed training platform for elderly caregivers, applicable to those involved in home caregiving, senior living facilities, hospice, and nursing schools, among others. The training is built around VR placing caregivers in the position of the elderly person, thereby taking advantage of VR being more effective than lectures or reading as a means of learning retention rates.The company generates an annual revenue of around USD 600,000. Although it primarily focuses on care for the elderly, it also has training programs targeting vision and hearing impairments, dementia, and Alzheimer's. In 2020, the company noted that it intended to broaden its offerings to include fall prevention training and specialized LGBTQ care.The company generates an annual revenue of around USD 600,000.

Honor provides a platform for elderly persons and their families to find home care providers, and is claimed to be one of the largest on-demand home care networks in the US. The company’s key offerings include Home Care, Family Caregiver Resources, and the Honor Family App and Honor Family Care Network for remote monitoring.In August 2021, Honor announced the acquisition of home care provider Home Instead at an undisclosed value. The merged entity was expected to combine for over USD 2.1 billion home care services revenue.&nbsp; Key customers and partnershipsAs of August 2021, Home Instead had around 90,000 caregivers serving at 1,200 locations across the US and global markets. Home Instead acquired UK-based online platform SuperCarers in June 2020. It connects professional caregivers to elderly people seeking at-home care. Prior to the acquisition, SuperCarers had raised a total of GBP 4.9 million (USD 6.6 million).It also partners with the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications (ORCHA) to provide quality assured apps for psychological wellbeing, physical activity, and mental stimulation.

Honor

Eargo specializes in developing hearing aid and related services. Eargo has four products in its lineup: Link by Eargo, Eargo SE, Eargo Neo HiFi, Eargo 6, and Eargo 7. The company’s products are unique due to its design meant to keep the device invisible when plugged in.The products are priced between USD 749 (Link by Eargo) and USD 2,490 (Eargo 7). The Eargo Neo HiFi comes alongside an app and offers connected smart features such as audio personalization and control. The app allows the user to control the audio to suit their surroundings, customize settings, and contact Eargo's licensed hearing professionals for consultation and support.In October 2020, Eargo was listed as a public company and then acquired by Patient Square Capital In October 2023. Via the acquisition, Patient Square Capital acquired all outstanding shares of Eargo—that were not owned by Patient Square—at USD 2.55 per share. Key customers and partnershipsThe company utilizes a business-to-consumer (B2C) online retail strategy compared to traditional business-to-business (B2B) model deployed by other manufacturers who sell their products through clinics. The strategy has proven beneficial through the Covid-19 pandemic as consumer footfall for brick-and-mortar clinics have declined.

Eargo

K4Connect provides technology solutions to residents and staff members in senior living communities through its K4Community platform. The company was co-founded by Scott Moody who sold his fingerprint sensor technology company AuthenTec to Apple for USD 356 million in 2012, which then became the basis for Touch ID.The platform's offerings include digital voice and video communication, and community updates for residents. It also provides smart home automation through the provisioning of plug and play Alexa devices for residents and supports smart thermostats, smart lights, motion sensors, and sleep tracking devices. In addition, community staff members have access to tools for resident surveys, resident and family management, and communications. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the platform also established an expanded video chat service to facilitate resident-to-resident communication, staff requests, yoga classes, and dining room bookings. Further, in March 2020, it partnered with software communications firm Bandwidth to introduce a hotline for staff and residents as a means of keeping all parties up to date with community information.The platform is built on the company’s patented operating system, FusionOS. The company claims that FusionOS is an advanced multi-modal edge-cloud architecture, the first of its kind in the senior living industry. Residents and staff can access the platform using a smartphone app or pre-provisioned tables in the living communities priced on a per-resident basis.As of July 2020, the platform served over 800 independent and assisted living senior living communities across the US. The platform serves over 29,000 users at more than 125 senior living communities across 27 customers as of February 2020, more than doubling its users from 2018, which it expects to repeat in 2020. The company has established channel partnerships with Allbridge (a data, video and voice solution provider for senior living) in July 2020, and Eskaton (a senior services provider) and White Horse Village (a continuing care retirement community) in May 2019. It collaborated with GlobalLogic (a digital product engineering company) in July 2020 to expedite the development schedule of its K4Community Plus app in response to Covid-19.

K4Connect

CarePredict was founded by Former IBM consultant and tech veteran, Satish Movva, and produces Tempo smart wearables for the elderly community. Using machine learning (ML), the company claims the app can reduce the chance of a fall, and predict urinary tract infections (UTIs) and depression ahead of a clinical diagnosis. The device aims to assist caregivers in taking preventive action by detecting activities and behaviors which are precursors to health declines. The data from the device can also be shared with family members.The company generates revenue from device sales and subscriptions. Independent research conducted in September 2020 indicated that facilities using CarePredict’s wearables reported 40% fewer hospitalizations 69%, lower fall rates, 67% increased length of stay, and a 37% improved staff response rate than facilities that did not use CarePredict.The company expanded its operations in 2018 through its acquisition of WiseWare, a company selling activity-tracking jewelry for older users. In April 2020, it launched the PinPoint contact-tracing tools to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.Key customers and partnershipsIn February 2021, the company announced its partnership with Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A). M4A is the agency behind the “Providing Alzheimer's N' Dementia Assistance” (PANDA) project. The company will be the first tech platform to be part of the project and will provide caregivers assistance in remote monitoring and preventive care using its smart wearables.

CarePredict

Eversound develops wireless headphone systems to enhance the level of engagement and social interaction for the elderly living in assisted living or memory care centres. The platform provides a library of programmed content on a variety of topics. The headphone system can be used to communicate with caregivers, during group events, family visits, and for music therapy. The headphones are equipped with a wireless transmitter and volume controls. It connects to external audio sources such as community A/V systems, televisions, and audio devices.The product was unveiled in May 2016. In a subsequent six month study conducted by LCB Senior Living community, group events leveraging the Eversound system resulted in an 18% reduction of residents falling asleep and a 28% increase in engagement during group events. In December 2016, the company expanded to 18 states across the US.In March 2020, as a part of its Covid-19 response, the company launched a live streamed, interactive content service to help seniors combat isolation. Further, as in-person visits at assisted living communities were interrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of Eversound’s visitation package proved to be crucial for socially distanced in-person visits. Key customers and partnershipsAs of December 2020, the company’s product is being used in more than 700 senior living communities across the US. Its clients include senior living communities such as Brightview, Commonwealth, and Oakmont. In addition, Eversound has established partnerships with senior living communities (such as The Arbor Company, Bridges by EPOCH, Christian Horizons, and Kisco) to roll out its devices for family visitations, and programmable and live streamed content.

Eversound

Tech-enabled equipment or companionship services that help elderly people function independently.

Platforms that match seniors with home care providers as well as app-based products to facilitate communication between senior families and caregivers

Tech-enabled products used to diagnose, prevent, and treat conditions common among seniors.

Remote monitoring, medical diagnosis, communication, and coordination between caregivers and families of the elderly.

Platforms that help seniors interact socially and communicate with others.

Platforms that help seniors and their families plan and make arrangements to settle the senior’s estates and affairs in the event of death.

Companies that use GenAI as a core part of their product offering for Age Tech

Offers digital platforms that support the wellness of the senior population

Age Tech providers incorporate GenAI to enhance both seniors’ and caregivers’ experiences

Many devices that help seniors operate independently and receive remote treatment use IoT

Some companies use VR to help treat seniors with conditions such as isolation and dementia

Embodied Labs is a pioneering company that offers an innovative, immersive training platform designed to foster empathy and compassion in caregivers and healthcare professionals. Their cutting-edge technology leverages virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree video experiences, enabling users to embody the perspectives and lived experiences of individuals with various health conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and end-of-life care scenarios.
The company's unique training approach aims to provide a profound understanding of the challenges faced by those requiring care, ultimately improving the quality of care delivery. By offering a first-person, immersive experience, Embodied Labs' platform allows caregivers and healthcare professionals to gain invaluable insights into the cognitive, sensory, and emotional aspects of various health conditions, which traditional training methods often fail to convey effectively.
Embodied Labs' core product offerings include the Frank Lab (social isolation), the Beatriz Lab (Alzheimer's Disease), the Alfred Lab (Macular Degeneration and High Frequency Hearing Loss), the Clay Lab (End of Life Conversations), the Dima Lab (Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease), and the Eden Lab (Trans Health & LGBT Aging).
Key customers and partnerships
In February 2024, Embodied Labs partnered with Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, a dynamic not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals to live connected and fulfilled lives through community and innovation. This collaboration aims to provide free access to Embodied Labs' immersive training platform for direct care workers, including home care aides, care coordinators, care managers, dementia care specialists, personal care assistants, activities coordinators, transportation providers, community health workers, and certified nursing assistants, as well as friends and family caregivers of older adults in California.

SnapNurse (now rebranded as SnapCare) is an AI-enabled workforce marketplace that connects healthcare facilities directly with clinicians, including nurses, physicians, and other medical professionals. The company's cloud-based platform streamlines the staffing process, enabling facilities to rapidly source, credential, and onboard qualified healthcare workers within 24-48 hours. This technology-driven approach eliminates the need for traditional staffing agencies, providing significant cost savings of over 15% on core staffing services and potentially exceeding 20% with SnapCare's full suite of offerings.
SnapCare's platform offers a range of services, including permanent placement recruiting, internal float pool management, PRN (pro re nata) staffing, contract local/travel staffing, managed service provider solutions, and talent acquisition services. The company leverages AI and automation to optimize workforce deployment, enabling healthcare facilities to gain visibility into available talent, submit staffing requests, track orders, and access comprehensive workforce analytics.
In October 2023, SnapNurse rebranded as SnapCare, reflecting its commitment to expanding beyond nursing to support a broader range of healthcare clinicians and clients. The rebrand coincided with a nearly 300% increase in technology investments, furthering the development of advanced solutions like predictive staff scheduling optimizations through the strategic acquisition of Medecipher.
SnapCare's disruptive model has gained significant traction, with the company experiencing meteoric growth of 75,000% between March 2020 and March 2021. As of Q1 2021, SnapCare had deployed over 10,000 medical professionals, supported more than 1,000 healthcare facilities, and achieved USD 350 million in revenue through organic growth.

SnapNurse

CareRev is a technology company that has disrupted the healthcare staffing industry by providing a cloud-based platform to connect healthcare facilities with local, pre-qualified nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), medical assistants (MAs), and technicians on demand. The platform enables healthcare organizations to post open shifts, which these professionals can claim instantly through the CareRev mobile app, eliminating the need for traditional staffing agencies.
CareRev's platform streamlines the process of sourcing temporary healthcare staff by automating credentialing, onboarding, and performance monitoring. The company ensures a high-quality talent pool by conducting rigorous vetting processes, including background checks, credential verification, and skill assessments. Facilities can provide real-time feedback on professionals' performance, mark them as "Favorites" for priority access, or flag them as "Do Not Return" if unsatisfied.
CareRev's business model allows healthcare facilities to access a flexible workforce that can rapidly scale up or down based on patient demand. This agile approach enables organizations to optimize staffing levels, reduce reliance on costly travel contracts, and lower overall labor costs. The platform also offers features like "Cascade," which allows organizations to float staff between facilities based on demand.
In addition to serving hospitals and health systems, CareRev supports outpatient centers, skilled nursing facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers across over 32 major metropolitan areas nationwide. As of October 2022, the company had partnerships with over 70 hospitals and health systems and over 540 outpatient centers and skilled nursing facilities. Its network comprises more than 22,000 clinical professionals.

CareRev

Clipboard Health is a healthcare staffing platform that provides an app-based marketplace for matching nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare professionals with open shifts at nearby healthcare facilities. The company's app allows healthcare workers to find and book available shifts conveniently, offering flexibility and control over their schedules. For healthcare facilities, the platform addresses staffing challenges by enabling them to fill open shifts as needed, accessing a wider pool of talent.
Clipboard Health's model has seen significant growth, with its gross revenue increasing by a factor of 25 in the 18 months leading up to April 2022. As of that period, the platform served tens of thousands of healthcare professionals and over a thousand facilities across more than 30 US cities, including major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York. The company aimed to expand its presence to many more cities by the end of 2022.
In February 2022, Clipboard Health secured a USD 30 million Series C funding round led by Sequoia Capital, valuing the company at USD 1.3 billion. This followed a USD 50 million Series B round in 2021 led by IVP. The total funding raised by the company exceeded USD 90 million. These investments were intended to support the company's aggressive hiring plans, including doubling the size of its engineering team and expanding its sales and marketing organizations.

Clipboard Health

Favorite healthcare Staffing is a leading provider of healthcare staffing solutions in the US. The company specializes in offering a comprehensive range of staffing options, including travel nursing, per diem, allied health, non-clinical, and permanent placement opportunities. Favorite healthcare Staffing's services cater to healthcare facilities across the nation, enabling them to access qualified and dependable healthcare professionals to meet their staffing needs.
The company's business model revolves around connecting skilled healthcare talent with employment opportunities at various healthcare providers, such as hospitals, health systems, medical practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Favorite healthcare Staffing prides itself on setting industry standards for quality, service, and integrity within the healthcare staffing sector.
In June 2023, Staffing Industry Analysts, a renowned staffing industry research firm, ranked Favorite healthcare Staffing as the 10th Largest US healthcare Staffing Firm based on its 2022 revenue. Additionally, the company secured impressive positions on other Staffing Industry Analysts lists, including the 8th Largest US Travel Nurse Staffing Firm, the 13th Largest US Per Diem Nurse Staffing Firm, the 13th Largest US Allied healthcare Staffing Firm, and the 17th Fastest-Growing US Staffing Firm.
Key customers and partnerships
Favorite healthcare Staffing has established strong relationships with healthcare facilities nationwide, catering to their diverse staffing needs across various specialties and areas of expertise. The company's client base encompasses top healthcare institutions, medical practices, and healthcare organizations seeking skilled professionals for temporary, contract, or permanent positions.
To streamline the application process for healthcare professionals seeking employment opportunities, Favorite healthcare Staffing has introduced a virtual assistant called "Frankie." This innovative tool guides applicants through the application process, ensuring a hassle-free experience and enabling them to create their profiles efficiently.

Favorite Healthcare Staffing

Aya healthcare is the largest healthcare staffing company in the US. It leverages data-driven technology and digital engagement to operate a managed marketplace that hosts the largest pool of active job seekers for healthcare professionals. Aya's proprietary algorithms enable personalized touchpoints to drive engagement and add transparency, efficiency, and accountability to healthcare systems.
The company's core offerings include travel nursing, allied health staffing, permanent staff hiring, interim leadership, locum tenens staffing, and staffing for non-clinical professionals. In addition to staffing services, Aya provides vendor management, float pool technology, provider recruitment services, and predictive analytics solutions to healthcare organizations.
In November 2023, Aya healthcare acquired Winnow AI, a data science-driven platform that uses artificial intelligence and business intelligence to identify passive physician candidates likely to relocate. The acquisition enables Aya to complement its DocCafe platform, which focuses on active physician job seekers, and offer healthcare organizations comprehensive solutions for both active and passive physician recruitment.
Aya healthcare has established a track record of promoting a positive, welcoming workplace culture for its over 6,000 corporate employees. In September 2022, the company was named to Fortune's list of Best Workplaces in healthcare for the third consecutive year, with 90% of surveyed employees affirming it as a great place to work.

Aya Health

Platforms that connect healthcare organizations with healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and other clinicians, to fill vacant spots for immediate shifts or temporary assignments

Companies that offer digital platforms automating the procurement process and inventory management of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities

Companies that offer integrated workflow solutions for healthcare providers (especially independent practitioners), including online booking, medical billing, and patient management

Companies that offer pharmacy management platforms catering to pharmacies (especially independent pharmacies) to efficiently manage their daily operations. The platforms leverage technologies like AI/ML and are cloud-based

Companies that offer a B2B service to healthcare organizations to train and educate healthcare professionals in specific roles by using various digital means

Offers B2B SaaS platforms that serve healthcare providers and independent practitioners to streamline their businesses

The products/platforms offered by the companies utilize AI/ML in enhancing their offering

All healthcare resourcing solutions are offered via digital platforms that leverage AI/ML or are cloud-based

Embodied Labs

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