CareQuest Innovation Partners, a company focused on testing and scaling transformative solutions that improve overall health through oral health for all, in partnership with MATTER, a leading healthcare incubator and innovation hub, recently announced the selection of emerging startups to participate in the third year of their SMILE Health program.
The U.S. oral health crisis is exacerbated by a historic lack of investment in the industry. Oral disease costs $710 billion in treatment costs and lost productivity annually worldwide. Yet, according to a Crunchbase analysis, U.S. dental startups poised to tackle these challenges raised less than $200 million in funding in 2023, compared to nearly $17 billion raised by U.S. healthcare startups in the same year. Through SMILE Health, CareQuest Innovation Partners is galvanizing a growing partner ecosystem to accelerate investment and innovation, advance health equity, and advance solutions that integrate dental and medical healthcare.
Six startups were selected from a field of outstanding applicants from 11 countries and 27 US states. More than 50% of the founders belong to ethnic or racial minority groups. The selected startup solutions span a range of technologies that address the program’s key focus areas, deepening the connection between oral health and the broader healthcare system. Solutions range from novel preventative therapies to telehealth and integrative care services that meet consumers wherever they are – at home, in a clinic or online. The selected companies are DentKits, DifferentKind, Oraliva, ThriveLink, Umayana and Yumlish.
“We’re thrilled with the caliber of startups that participated in this year’s SMILE Health program, which will further accelerate momentum toward integrated care,” said Katie D’Amico, vice president of growth and innovation at CareQuest Innovation Partners. “As the largest and most diverse cohort in SMILE Health’s history, this year’s innovative startups, together with our industry-leading partners, are galvanizing a medical innovation ecosystem that is redefining how we care for the whole person, including oral health, and driving better health outcomes for all.”
Throughout the 12-week program, startups will be matched with mission-aligned industry partners, including Cigna Healthcare, Colgate-Palmolive Company, DentaQuest, a SunLife US company, and Henry Schein, to validate their solutions along specific program tracks, as previously announced. Selected startups will receive a stipend, access to multidisciplinary experts in the healthcare space, a dedicated mentor, a curated curriculum and key business insights. No equity is required from the startups.
The program will culminate with a Demo Day at the HLTH Conference in Las Vegas on October 22, 2024. SMILE Health startups will present their solutions to a variety of healthcare leaders, including potential investors, partners and clients, on the Startup Stage. Following the program, startups in this cohort will have access to resources from both MATTER and CareQuest Innovation Partners, including the opportunity to apply for CareQuest Innovation Partners’ ACCELERATE program, which will provide additional funding for further collaboration with partners on projects that advance the industry.
“SMILE Health creates a unique opportunity for startups to accelerate development and for large institutional investors to explore and test new solutions,” said Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER. “We’re excited for the opportunity to work with CareQuest Innovation Partners and this exceptional group of entrepreneurs to shape a brighter, more connected future for healthcare.”
For more information on the 2024 class, see below.
DentKits | Las Vegas, NV
DentKits provides at-home dentures using digital dentures and teledentistry technology. By providing convenient, affordable dentures prescribed by dentists, DentKits improves access to dental care for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Different Types | Buena Vista, Colorado
DifferentKind is the leader in oral health experience management, generating data and insights from patients and teams to improve outcomes for patients, practices, and payers.
Aura River | Durham, North Carolina
Oraliva provides non-invasive, clinically validated, AI-assisted diagnostics for screening of oral lesions. This innovative solution provides dental and healthcare providers with highly accurate diagnostic information.
ThriveLink | St. Louis, Missouri
ThriveLink deploys AI telephone enrollment agents to help families verbally enroll in social and health programs like health insurance, food stamps, utility assistance, etc. The solution does not require internet, a smartphone, or literacy.
Umayana | Istanbul, Türkiye
Umayana is a biotechnology company with a range of products including Murnia, which uses patented molecular compounds and formulations to prevent and treat severe cancers and acute wounds. Umayana helps cancer patients suffering from wounds such as oral mucositis.
Yamlish | Dallas, TX
Yumlish provides Medicaid enrollees with technology-enabled, culturally affirming health education programs targeted at Spanish-speaking populations. Through YumVivo!, Yumlish provides these communities with access to trusted oral health education.
About CareQuest Innovation Partners
CareQuest Innovation Partners® tests and scales innovative solutions that improve overall health through oral health. We work with an ecosystem of leading industry partners, startups and investors to make health care more accessible, equitable and integrated. Driven by a shared mission to improve oral health for all, CareQuest Innovation Partners is a for-profit subsidiary of the CareQuest Institute. For more information, visit carequestinnovation.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About MATTER
MATTER, the healthcare industry’s premier incubator and innovation hub, is home to more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, collaborating with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities, and industry-leading companies to shape the future of healthcare.
Together, the MATTER community is accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives.
For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.
