Dr. Jeff Novich gave a post-mortem presentation on the failure of his healthcare technology startup. Some key lessons he discussed included focusing on business over product, avoiding "black box" solutions, not building for outliers, recognizing that doctors are slow to adopt new tech, understanding user acquisition, acknowledging that patient portals are now commoditized, doing thorough market research, hiring a CTO, and maintaining passion throughout the process. While his initial startup aimed to improve efficiency in his medical practice, it ultimately failed to gain traction after launching more broadly.

1. A post-mortem of a failed
healthcare tech startup
Jeff Novich
Failcon Atlanta 2014

2. About me
Hackathons
Startups
Recent Employment School

4. Medical School Graduation 1975
Dr. Novich

10. 1,200 patients
200+ phone calls a day
3 assistants
Declining Net
50 phone calls a day
0 assistants
Increased Net
50% same day visits
Then Now

21. I’m spoiled.
“
”
I took to it
right away and I
absolutely love it.
“ ”

27. 40 investors
No.

28. 1. Business > Product

29. 2. The “Black Box”

30. 2. The “Black Box”

31. 2. The “Black Box”

32. 2. The “Black Box”

33. 3. Don’t build for outliers

34. 4. Doctors are tech laggards

35. 5. Understand user acquisition

36. 6. Patient portals are commoditized

37. 7. Do your homework

38. 8. No CTO

39. 9. Losing the passion.

40. This is what failure looks like.

41. Thank you!
@jeffnovich
jeffnovich@gmail.com
Planetjeffro.com