2Flo Ventures Health Equity Pitch Competition
We are excited to welcome you to 2Flo Ventures' second Annual Health Equity Pitch Competition!
Five idea-stage founders will present their companies, and judges will select the top 3 novel ideas to advance health equity. More than just a pitch competition, we are seeking to support early-stage founders from non-traditional backgrounds and to provide them with the support they need to reach their next milestone. As part of the award, we have leaders donating their time to support the finalists, and we hope to rally the community to help these individuals on their journey to advance health equity. If you'd like to support, you can donate your time and expertise upon registration to get more involved!
Learn more about the Finalists:
CareSMS | Arjun Srivastava | Digital Health
Cellmend Technologies | Rebecca Keate | BioTech
Adhara Health | Neepa Acharya | Digital Health
ASL Aspire | Ayesha Kazi & Mona Jawad | EdTech
Ion Stewards Energy | Tomás de'Medici | Energy & Health
After we hear from the finalists, we have a world-class fireside chat featuring:
Keynote Speaker | Ayesha Jaco, MAM, Executive Director at West Side United
Speaker | Naomi Sugar, MPH, Course Director at Northwestern University Program in Public Health
Moderator | Ibraheem Alinur, Vice President at 2Flo Ventures
Detailed biographies below.
Agenda:
5:30 pm | Open Registration and Mixer
6:00 pm | Pitch Presentations Begin
7:00 pm | Health Equity Fireside Chat
7:45 pm | Awards Announced and Networking Begins
8:30 pm | End of Event
Thank you to Cushman & Wakefield for their support and hosting us at their beautiful penthouse location!
Health Equity Pitch Competition Judges:
Katherine Maskel | Industry Engagement Manager at Lurie Children's Hospital
Dana Sun | Principal at Laerdal Million Lives Fund
Helen Abad | Head of Early-Stage Partnership at Inflect Health
Karlos Bledsoe | Principal at Seae Ventures
Brylan Donaldson | Associate Director at The Garage Northwestern
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates: 2Flo Ventures LinkedIn
More information on our website here: https://www.2floventures.com/B/hepc25
Biographies:
Ayesha Jaco MAM
Ayesha Jaco, a lifelong resident of Chicago’s west side, has dedicated her career to improving the health and economic vitality of the community she grew up in. As Executive Director of West Side United (WSU) founded by Ascension, Cook County Health, Lurie Children’s, RUSH, Sinai Chicago, & UI Health, she leads programs and partnerships with additional anchor institutions, including nonprofits and churches, who work collaboratively to eliminate the 25-year life expectancy gap between Black and Brown residents on Chicago’s West Side and Chicago’s Loop.
Under Ayesha’s leadership, WSU has co-created strategies that address social drivers of health including a small business grant program that has awarded $2.5 million to support the development of more than 175 West Side businesses. Her team has also coordinated $10 million in social impact investing funds pooled by WSU hospitals, American Medical Association, Illinois Medical District and Northern Trust to increase access to capital for west side communities through 600 low interest loans curated by Community Development Financial Institution partners to support affordable housing, community projects and other economic development projects.
As a member of the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative, WSU was an instrumental partner along with other anchor and community partners in the selection of the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative as the 2022 recipient of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation’s $10 million Chicago Prize for the development of Sankofa Wellness Village. The Village will provide programming that seeks to enhance residents in West Garfield Park’s economic vitality and quality of life through a Federally Qualified Health Center, arts center, business incubator and community grocer initiative.
Ayesha is a member of the board of directors of Choose Chicago, the City’s convention, and tourism bureau, and also serves on the community advisory board for the Chicago Chronic Condition Equity Network.
Naomi Sugar MPH
With two decades of leadership in Women's Health, I focus on developing innovative programs to improve access and outcomes for women and underserved populations. My expertise includes strategic partnerships, program design, and market entry, with a recent role at AIVF leading US and LATAM efforts focusing on delivering AI-powered solutions that enhance IVF lab efficiency and efficacy.
In addition to my industry work, I recently co-directed the Global Health Concentration at Northwestern University’s Graduate Program in Public Health, and teach in the MPH program, where I received the 2024 Outstanding Educator in Global Health Award. My past roles include VP of Programs at the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago and Program Director at Project Sunshine, where I strategically built its global health portfolio in 5 countries and secured substantial funding for these health initiatives.