Where Are They Now? Hackovate Health Winner Liam Ryan

Liam Ryan, founder of GetHealth.

It’s been about 5 months since the Hackovate Health Finale in Kansas City and many people are starting to wonder: where are the winners now?  Back in February, Hackovate named four innovation competition winners.  One of those winners was Liam Ryan of GetHealth.  So where is Ryan today and how has GetHealth progressed since February 2013?  Think Big held a question-and-answer session with Ryan (all the way from Ireland!) to find out:

THE HIGHLIGHTS:  Since the Hackovate Health Finale, GetHealth has made new high-level partnerships across the world, was chosen to participate in GE’s healthymagination, was featured in TechCrunch, plans to establish and US base in New York and has launched a public funding raise for accredited investors. 

---

TBP:  It’s been about 5 months since the Hackovate Health Finale in Kansas City.  How has GetHealth progressed or changed since then?

LIAM:  Since our amazing experience in Kansas City, where we were awarded first runner up in the Global Hackovate Healthcare Innovation Competition, things have been moving non-stop for GetHealth. One of our key goals coming out of that competition was to turn that success into real, tangible traction with clients: to build relationships and get real results. With this in mind, we have been on-boarding a number of big clients over the last few months and seeing fantastic progress. We are now working with Aer Lingus (one of Ireland’s largest employers), VHI (with over 1.5 million customers), Centric Health (a primary care provider) and Spafinder in the US, to name a few.

TBP:  What successes have you had seen since Hackovate in February?

LIAM:  One amazing success was when we were chosen as one of 13 international companies picked as a ‘Healthcare Transformer’ by New York-based programme, StartUp Health Academy. We are now participating in a 3 year programme run by Start-Up Health in partnership with General Electric. The program is part of GE’s healthymagination initiative, a $6 billion global commitment to provide better health for more people by improving quality, access, and affordability of care. Furthermore, we have just last week been selected as the StartUp in Residence in ‘The Irish Times’ – a 154 year old global brand, and Irelands leading newspaper.

TBP:  Congratulations!  Tell us more about the GE’s healthymagination. 

LIAM:  The funding was originally announced on TechCrunch on the 3^rd of April 2013. The real value of the programme lies in the validation it offers for the vision behind GetHealth. We now have the backing and support of one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. In order to get the award, we first showcased GetHealth at the mHealth Summit in Washington D.C. in Dec. 2012 at the StartUpHealth Mobile Health Pavillion. We also had a number of interviews with executives from GE itself and StartUpHealth over a 4 month period.

TBP:  We heard that over 400 companies (from 22 countries) applied for the GE/Startup Health Fund.  What do you think made GE pick GetHealth as one of the 13 companies? 

LIAM:  We were also only one of 2 international companies chosen to join the programme. Right now there are many digital health companies out there who focus on tracking data: counting steps, measuring movement, tracking heart rate, etc. But what we do at GetHealth is more than this. We take this data and focus it on behaviour change of the unhealthy and at risk. We interpret the data and give it back to people in a meaningful and actionable way. GE saw this as a differentiator and were excited to bring us on board. Also, we have a great team of passionate people, with experienced advisors, such as Ted Vickey: a member of the Board of Directors for the American Council on Exercise and a former athletic director in the White House under Bush, Clinton and Bush.

TBP:  How has this opportunity with GE impacted your business?  What direction are you going in now? 

LIAM:  The main change in our business has been in the amount of exposure we now get to industry leaders, on a global scale. Having meetings with the likes Todd Park (CTO of the United States), Jonathan Bush (CEO of Athenahealth), and Toby Cosgrave (CEO of Cleveland Clinic – arguably the most innovative medical centre in the world) is a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow. Knowing that they believe in the impact we can have on the healthcare industry and that they are willing to use and buy our product, is invaluable to us at this stage of growing our business.

TBP:  Where do you see GetHealth at the end of 2013?

LIAM:  Within the next 8-12 months I see GetHealth having over 100 clients and impacting over 50,000 employees across the globe. We will have closed off our round of financing and have grown our team substantially. We are also moving to New York to establish a base in the United States. Overall, I see GetHealth as being established as a world-leader in creating lasting behaviour-change among the unhealthy and at risk.

 TBP:  What are you most excited about for GetHealth?  What new opportunities do you now see after Hackovate?

LIAM:  What most excites me about GetHealth is the opportunity to have an impact on a global level, and not just for employees, but for families, kids, schools and so on. GetHealth can disrupt the healthcare landscape by moving away from the reactive/treatment model to a more patient-centric style of care, where people get proactive about their health and take the steps to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. I want GetHealth to contribute to making the world a healthier and ultimately, a happier place.

Since Hackovate in Febraury 2013, GetHealth launched their public funding raise for accredited investors. Find out more information about how to join their team, visit www.investor.gethealthapp.com or contact their CEO, Liam Ryan at liam@gethealthapp.com.
 And remember, it’s because of launchpads like the Hackovate Health that startups like GetHealth get on the map.  Who knows what the next innovation competition will unveil.  To inquire about hosting an innovation competition of your own and partnering with Think Big Partners to discover the next big thing, contact us at info@thinkbigpartners.com. 

Think Big Innovations With Rachel Hack

Hackovate Health Finale Recap

After surviving the snowpocalypse of 2013, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and supporters gathered in the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board Room at Union Station for the Hackovate Health Finale on February 28, 2013. 

The event opened with a welcome address from Tyler Prochnow of Think Big Partners and Paul Richardson of H&R Block.  After a few words, Master of Ceremonies Ramsey Mohsen took the stage to get the pitches started. 

Group 1 featured finalists My Healthcare Reform Guide by Useagility & eXperient Interactive, ReMARK Health, HealthPlan Select by Strenuus, OKCopay Inc. and NAYA JEEVAN REJUVENATE.  Once all finalists finished their 10-minute pitches and question-and-answer sessions with the judges, a video address from Senator Jerry Moran was played followed by a short “chocolate break” courtesy of Hovey Williams, LLP. 

After the break, Herb Sih of Think Big Partners took the stage where he spoke on innovation and entrepreneurship.  Next, Group 2, consisting of SHHADE, eLuminate Health, Aavya Health, GetHealth, and inAssist Health Management Solutions, gave presentations and answered Q&A. 

Next on the Hackovate agenda, Kush Saxena of H&R Block took the stage to welcome Ned Holland, keynote speaker and assistant secretary for administration for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  At the same time, voting for the Google Fiber People’s Choice Award opened and the votes flooded in (over 500 were calculated in the short 30-minute voting time frame).  Additionally, Herb Sih of Think Big Partners got back on stage to speak about Think Big’s newest (and perhaps most unique) innovation yet: Smart Coffee, the coffee made for entrepreneurs and innovators. 

Next, Phyllis Faulkner-Johnson took the stage to announce the winner of the Google Fiber People’s Choice Award followed by Paul Richardson to announce each of the three cash prize winners. 

To learn more about each of the Hackovate winners, please read below:

GRAND PRIZE WINNER ($15,000)

Tami Hutchison, eLuminate Health

eLuminate Health, based out of Kansas City, Missouri, is a new marketplace for bringing together buyers and sellers of healthcare procedures based on transparency of price, quality and customer satisfaction.  The startup’s open network, reverse pricing platform replaces the current network contracting process between carriers and providers for imaging and surgical procedures.  Health plan payers and members rely on eLuminate Health to improve the value of their healthcare investments. eLuminate’s automated payment process, enabled by pre-established fixed prices, enables healthcare providers to eliminate the current cumbersome claims and accounts receivable management process and guarantees payment within less than 10 days on 100% of both the payer and member portion.

RUNNER-UP ($5,000)

Liam Ryan, GetHealth

The GetHealth mobile app, based out of Dublin, Ireland, is a mobile and online platform that helps people improve their health through social interaction and gameplay with peer-to-peer connections. The app’s beta users describe the company as “Foursquare for Health”, allowing people to check-in to the healthy tasks they do each day (in the categories of Move, Munch and Mind), earn points and motivate their friends to a better healthy lifestyle. 

SECOND RUNNER-UP ($2,500)

Scott Speranza, InAssist Health Management Solutions

InAssist, a startup based out of Torrance, California, specializes in medical protection services for employers, employees and consumers and solves for the problem of hospital overcharges and administrative costs as well as the risks inherent to the medical industry.  With an integrated portal, consumers can log-in to the InAssist system to talk to trained certified claims analysts to better understand what they are getting charged for and gain access to bills, EOB’s medical records, claim denials and total yearly costs.

GOOGLE FIBER PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Karan Srivastava, SHHADE

SHHADE, based out of Miami, Florida, stands for Supply Home Health Care Alternatives and Dedicated Education.   SHHADE negotiates contracts with insurance companies to reduce expenses caused by patients who frequently visit the ER for chronic, yet manageable medical conditions. SHHADE provides comprehensive primary care services directly at the patient’s home and regularly follows up with patients to better manage the patient’s health. SHHADE case managers are designated to help the patient address and remove any social or cultural obstacles that impede the patient’s goal for a healthy lifestyle. SHHADE identifies which treatments are cost-effective in producing high quality health benefits. Ultimately, SHHADE aims to reduce the burden of costs insurance companies incur by reducing the number of ER visits from high utilizing patients.

The Finale event concluded with applause and cocktails, appetizers and networking in the Sprint Festival Plaza just a few steps from where Hackovate took place.  Media conducted interviews with the winners, each winner sat down to speak about their experience on the Think Big Innovations podcast, and cheers, laughs and new introductions were made by all.

All in all, Hackovate Health opened the eyes of the healthcare and medical industries to the new, innovative products that are being brought to the market.  The innovation competition truly spoke to those companies and startups who were striving to help consumers understand and navigate the challenging healthcare landscape and realize new health benefits.   

Want to see the Finale for yourself?  Check out a recording of the entire Hackovate Health Finale here, courtesy of DEG. 

Think Big and H&R Block Announce Winners of Hackovate Health Innovation Competition

The global health care focused innovation competition Hackovate Health came to a close when it announced four winning business ideas at the Finale event at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.  Organized by H&R Block and Think Big Partners, the Hackovate Health Finale brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals and industry leaders for a half-day pitch fest and awards ceremony.

Ten finalists, four judges and many community leaders, supporters and attendees joined to see innovation and entrepreneurism in action.  At the event, a panel of four Finale judges determined the grand prize winner ($15,000), the runner-up ($5,000) and the second runner-up ($2,500).  Finale judges included Kush Saxena (H&R Block), David Edwards (Cerner), Phyllis Faulkner-Johnson (Google Fiber) and Anna Haghgooie (Sandbox). In addition, attendees had the chance to watch 10 pitches from finalists and vote for their favorite via mobile platform for the Google Fiber People’s Choice Award. 

Tami Hutchinson and her team at eLuminate Health (Kansas City, MO) was announced the winner of the $15,000 grand prize.  eLuminate Health is an online platform where surgeons and patients can easily find one another and compare procedures based on price and quality ratings.  The eLuminate Health platform predicts to save up to 17% on procedures and 5% per year on healthcare costs.  The company solves problems for consumers, payers, administrators and providers while improving healthcare quality and decreasing costs.    In addition to the cash prize, eLuminate Health has been recognized as one of the top startups in the healthcare tech industry.

“We truly appreciated this entire process,” said Tami Hutchison of eLuminate Health.  “Hackovate has helped us think in new ways and we will use this opportunity to get our product into the market and bring value to consumers in the U.S.” 

Karan Srivastava and his team of SHHADE (Miami, FL) was declared the winner of the Google Fiber People’s Choice Award after receiving a majority of the public vote.  SHHADE stands for Supply Home Health Care Alternatives and Dedicated Education.  The SHHADE platform allows for remote patient monitoring, health coaching, care coordination and mobile primary care services.  As the winner of the Google Fiber People’s Choice Award, SHHADE will gain bragging rights and media exposure. 

Liam Ryan of GetHealth (Dublin, Ireland) was announced as the Hackovate first runner-up, receiving a $5,000 cash prize from H&R Block.  The GetHealth mobile app is “Foursquare for health” as it improves consumer health by “checking in” to different healthy activities.  The app incorporates “motifications”, notifications to help consumers improve their health.  GetHealth has already been named an effective WaaS (wellness as a service).

“As a company with a base in New York and Ireland, we are always looking for opportunities to showcase in the United States on a global scale.  Hackovate allowed us to not only do that, but to think big too,” said Liam Ryan of GetHealth. 

In addition, Scott Speranza of InAssist Health Management Solution (Torrance, CA) was announced as the second runner-up and received a $2,500 prize courtesy of H&R Block.  InAssist specializes in medical protection services and solves for the problem of hospital overcharges.  With an integrated portal, consumers can log in to the InAssist system to pay medical bills and better understand what they are getting charged for.  InAssist incorporates TotalCare, which allows for a proprietary method for carriers and doctors. 

In addition to celebrating the announcement of the Hackovate winners, attendees were invited to listen to keynote speakers Ned Holland of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“We are thrilled with the results of the Hackovate Health Finale,” said Herb Sih, co-founder of Think Big Partners.  “Today, we saw a wide range of innovations and ideas that are helping to change the way we think about healthcare.  We hope that attendees, finalists, sponsors, judges and supporters learned something new about the changing healthcare landscape and believe in the innovations that are helping to solve real problems.”  

Think Big Innovations Podcast Live from the Hackovate Finale

Think Big Innovations: Neal Sharma of DEG and the Philosophy of Innovation

In this episode of Think Big Innovations, we feature Neal Sharma, CEO and Principal of DEG.  In this episode, we discuss the philosophy of innovation as well as the importance of innovation in all aspects of technology.  By touching on Kansas City’s global innovation competition known as Hackovate Health, Neal dives into the world of worldwide innovation and provides expertise from his own digital perspective.

WEATHER UPDATE- Hackovate Health Finale Postponed Until Thursday, February 28

Just because Kansas City is experiencing its second "snowpocalypse" of the week doesn't mean that innovation needs to stop in its tracks!

Due to inclement weather, the Hackovate Health Finale has been postponed to Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 3:00pm-7:00pm.  

What other changes can you expect?  Here's are all the changes you need to know:

• WHEN:   Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 3:00-7:00pm (a Finale agenda will be released before the event) 
• WHERE:  Union Station Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board Room (Theater with stage, lighting and audio)
• WHO:  Featuring our 10 Finalists as well as keynote speaker Ned Holland (and videos from Senator Jerry Moran and author David Murray)

Other than the changes mentioned above, the Finale will run very similar to what we announced earlier last week.  Any updates will be communicated through our blog and email communications   

The Finale will still be live streamed at www.hackovate.com/live.  

Couldn't make the Finale that was scheduled for Tuesday?  There's still time to register for our postponed Finale on Thursday!  Register now.  

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday.  The entrepreneurial spirit cannot be broken here in Kansas City--we are geared up for a wonderfully innovative event!  

Don't Miss Out on the Innovation! Hackovate Health Finale Agenda

Don't miss out on the Hackovate Health Finale on Tuesday, February 26 from 12:30-8:30pm!  Here's what you can expect: 

12:30 PM Registration & Check-In (All day)

1:00 PM Welcome & Introduction

• Tyler Prochnow, Senior Partner & Co-Founder, Think Big Partners
• Paul Richardson, Business Development, H&R Block
• Ramsey Mohsen, Director of Social Media, DEG

1:20-3:00 PM Finalist Presentations Group 1 

• My Healthcare Reform Guide by eXperient Interactive & Useagility Video
• ReMARK Health
• HealthPlan Select by Strenuus
• OkCopay, Inc.
• NAYA JEEVAN REJUVENATE

Address from Senator Jerry Moran

Break

3:15 -5:00 Finalist Presentations Group 2

• SHHADE
• eLuminate Health
• Aavya Health
• GetHealth
• inAssist Health Management Solution

Vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Award! Send your one vote from 5:00-5:40PM by texting the CODE to 22333.

5:00-5:45 Innovation Address

• Herb Sih, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Think Big Partners
• David Kord Murray, President, Kord Consulting Group
• Kush Saxena, Chief Strategy Officer, H&R Block
• Ned Holland, Assistant Secretary for Administration, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

5:45-6:00 Awards Presentation & Closing

• Google Fiber People’s Choice Award
• Cash prizes from H&R Block

6:00-8:30 Community Address and Closing Reception

Haven't registered for the Finale yet?  It's not too late!  Register here. 

Learn more about Hackovate! @Hackovate 

Volunteer Opportunity at Hackovate Health Finale

Would you like to give back to the KC innovative community?  Now's your chance!  Hackovate Health, Kansas City's health-focused innovation competition, is looking for volunteers to help out at the finale on February 26!  

Become a part of the Hackovate Health team by volunteering at Hackovate Health as a time keeper during presentations, checking attendees in at our registration table, handing out awesome Hackovate swag or moderating the Extreme Screen doors.  

Interested?  Email Emily at  emily.leeper@thinkbigpartners.com and become a part of the growing movement of healthcare innovation! 

Learn more about our volunteer opportunities by following Hackovate on Twitter at @Hackovate.

The Hackovate Judging Process Begins...

The submissions have been tweaked, the deadline has passed and the Hackovate judges have taken their seats.  Now that the application window for the 2013 Hackovate Health innovation competition has closed, the judging process has begun.  Our group of judges will take a look at every application this week to determine which will move on to present at the Hackovate Health Finale on February 26, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Judging scores will determine the top 10 finalists for Hackovate Health.  The top 10 finalists for the Hackovate Finale will be announced on Monday, February 11, 2013.  Applicants will be notified beforehand via email.

Best of luck to all of those who have applied for Hackovate Health!  Results will be out soon...

Learn more! @Hackovate

Hackovate Health Extends Submission Deadline and Announces Extreme Screen Location

Hackovate Health, the health-focused innovation competition powered by H&R Block and Think Big Partners has made some exciting announcements this week.

Deadline Extension
Hackovate has extended the submission deadline to Monday, February 4, 2013 (original deadline was Thursday, January 31, 2013).  This extension will allow applicants to make any changes within the iStart platform, fully complete their submission and ask any last-minute Hackovate questions.

Extreme Screen Location 
The Hackovate Health Finale on February 26, 2013 will now be one of the first events to take place in Union Station's Extreme Screen.  The Extreme Screen is Kansas City’s largest movie theater with a 60-foot wide silver screen equipped to display presentations, documentaries, commercial entertainment and even enable high-tech teleconferencing. The Extreme Screen, along with theater-style seating for 440 audience members, is located in Union Station in downtown Kansas City. The screen is accompanied by a 1100 square foot performance stage as well as high-tech projectors and speakers. The Extreme Screen officially opened on February 1, 2013.  To register to attend the free finale event, please visit http://hackovate.eventbrite.com.  

To learn more about Hackovate Health and stay updated, visit www.hackovate.com.  

Follow Hackovate! @Hackovate

Hackovate Submission Deadline Just 48 Hours Away

Health-focused entrepreneurs, innovators, startups: You have just 48 hours left to submit your idea, technology or business to the Hackovate Health innovation competition, powered by Think Big Partners and H&R Block.  All submissions are due on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 11:59:59pm.  After the January 31 deadline, all submissions will be closed.

Mark your calendars for January 31 and make sure that your submission is marked "complete" in our iStart program by the deadline! 

Are expensive travel plans for the Hackovate Finale hindering you from submitting? Don't let them!  We recently opened a Hackovate Travel Scholarship.  Finish your iStart submission and request the Hackovate Travel Scholarship application to have 100% travel expenses paid to Kansas City for the Finale!  Learn more here.  

Think Big Partners & H&R Block Host Hackovate Finale Feb. 26

We are thrilled to join forces with H&R Block this February to host the Hackovate Health Finale on February 26th!  At the event, the top 10 Hackovate finalists from our healthcare innovation competition will present their ideas, companies and technologies in front of a live audience at Union Station.  But what else can you expect at the Finale event?

• Healthcare technology and innovation presentations from the Top 10 Finalists 
• Networking with some of the top innovators in the healthcare space
• Healthcare innovation and technology exhibitors
• An Innovation Address and community closing reception 

The Hackovate Health Finale is an event that aims to build the collaborative and innovative Kansas City community and therefore, is absolutely FREE.  The Finale is expected to sell out.

Registration opens tomorrow, January 15, 2013 at www.hackovate.eventbrite.com! 

Learn more about Hackovate on Twitter: @Hackovate 

Think Big Innovations: What does it mean to Hackovate?

2013 has already been an exciting year for Think Big Partners.  Not only are we gearing up to host two big Kansas City events, Hackovate Health and the 2^nd Annual iKC, but we have also launched our newest podcast—Think Big Innovation Radio.

Think Big Innovation Radio seeks to ask “what’s the next big thing?”  After all, our world moves faster than ever before.  New ideas are born every day at an exponentially increasing rate.  However, without innovation, our world could never have dreamt of the routine we are accustomed to today.  At Think Big Innovations, we’re fascinated with breakthrough technologies and disruptive ideas that are changing the world and shaping our future.  And we want to share these new, exciting and groundbreaking technologies with you. 

To introduce you to Think Big Innovations, I sat down with Herb Sih, cofounder of Think Big Partners and Think Big Innovations and discussed the newest worldwide innovation competition—Hackovate Health.  Hackovate is a healthcare, tech-focused innovation competition that will conclude with a finale event on February 26, 2013 at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.  Learn more about what Hackovate is, who should apply, why Think Big and partner H&R Block are hosting the competition and more in this episode of Think Big Innovation Radio. 

Learn more about Hackovate: @Hackovate

Hackovate Health Opens Submission Doors for Healthcare Innovation Competition

Think Big Partners and H&R Block have opened the submission doors for the 2012-2013 Hackovate Health innovation competition!  From now until January 31, 2013, entrepreneurs, innovators, tech startups, hopsitals, physicians, telemedicine professionals, healthcare companies and students are invited to submit their health innovation ideas and companies into Hackovate Health to win big prizes and life-changing opportunities.

So what do you need to know?  Here's some info to get you started:

WHO:  Applicants must be seeking funding, looking to obtain customers and/or willing to be acquired.  These applicants include:

• Entrepreneurs, innovators and tech startups
• Hospitals, physicians and telemedicine professionals
• Healthcare companies and providers
• Corporate innovators
• Students

WHAT: A global innovation competition to identify innovative, mobile, online social and other applications to help consumers navigate the new healthcare landscape.

WHEN: 
Application Period: Now – January 31, 2013 11:59PM CST
Finale: February 26, 2013

WHERE:
Worldwide innovation competition
Finale at Union Station in Kansas City, MO, USA.

WHY:  To improve the overall US healthcare systems by reducing costs, preserving quality care, improving healthcare satisfaction and supporting both innovation and job creation throughout the United States.

SUBMISSIONS CATEGORY EXAMPLES:

Innovative technology that does one or more of the following:

• Reduces healthcare costs, preserves quality care and/or improves healthcare satisfaction
• Reduces income disparity in the US
• Combats fraud, waste and abuse through prevention of improper payments
• Supports telemedicine, health robotics, wearable health, predictive intelligence or other trending topics in the health tech industry
• Reduces the budget deficit through big data
• Addresses those people in the Digital Inclusion (low income families that do not have the available resources to take advantage of new technologies that can assist in improving their education, communication and overall quality of life)
• Improves consumer health through exercise, diet management and weight loss
• Informs consumers facing a medical crisis
• Provides a platform for easier communications in healthcare education for small businesses, corporations and individuals
• Increases productivity and reduces costs
• Creates incentives for doctors, hospitals, and other providers of healthcare—or even their patients—to optimize efficiency or control costs
• Integrates data pools such as pharmaceutical R&D data, clinical data, activity (claims) and cost data and patient behavior and sentiment data
• Analyzes clinical outcome data to improve clinical decision making and leverage patient databases
• Provides online platforms and communities within the healthcare or medical industries
• Utilizes ultra high-speed, programmable broadband to bring innovative new products and services to the healthcare and medical industries
• Aids in the analysis, aggregation, manipulation and management of big data
• Promotes the research and development of better analytics for controlling healthcare costs 
• Enables partnerships and public awareness of the impact that advanced analytics can and is having on controlling healthcare costs
• Raises professional and public awareness of the impact that advanced analytics can and is having on controlling healthcare costs

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Receive coaching and mentoring from business, policy and investor community leaders in the entrepreneurship and healthcare arenas
• The opportunity to take a big idea and quickly turn it  a joint-venture partnership, strategic relationship or a potentially build a brand new company together
• Main prizes courtesy of H&R Block will be awarded to the top 3 innovative ideas.  Prizes include $15,000, $5,000 and $2,500 with the opportunity to meet senior management for additional discussions.

HOW TO SUBMIT:  Simply visit www.hackovate.com and locate the HOW TO ENTER tab at the top of the page.  Next, click the green SUBMIT NOW button.  This button will take you to the Hackovate iStart page, courtesy of our friends at the Kauffman Foundation.  iStart will allow you to log in or register and submit your idea, startup, company, technology or innovation into our judging platform.  Be sure to fill out all of the necessary information.

LEARN MORE:

www.hackovate.com 

info@hackovate.com

@hackovate

H&R Block and Think Big Partners Announce Hackovate Health 2013

With a new era of health care on the door step and more than three out of four consumers unaware of the role of the 2012 tax return on their health care coverage next fall, H&R Block and early-stage business incubator and startup accelerator Think Big Partners announce the creation of Hackovate Health 2013. The competition is designed to identify innovative mobile, online, social and other applications that help consumers navigate the new healthcare landscape.  

“There are significant financial considerations for millions of consumers under the new health care rules, including who qualifies for subsidies,” said Bill Cobb, President and Chief Executive Officer of H&R Block. “Technology-based innovation has the potential to address many of the consumer-based financial implications that stem from the rollout of the new health care law.”

Teams, big and small, are encouraged to compete in the three-month long competition, which culminates in H&R Block identifying 10 teams to convene in Kansas City in February to turn their promising ideas into new companies. The Hackovate process will involve coaching and mentoring from business, policy and investor community leaders in the entrepreneurship and healthcare arenas. Additionally, prizes courtesy of H&R Block will be awarded to the top three innovative ideas as determined by a panel of judges.

“Rising health care costs remain one of the largest expenses facing Americans today,” said Kushagra Saxena, Chief Strategy Officer at H&R Block.  “That is one reason H&R Block is proud to be the power behind Hackovate Health—to support innovation and the startup community in identifying solutions that address our clients’ core healthcare reform needs.”

“As an early-stage technology accelerator, we see a lot of great ideas every day,” says Herb Sih, co-founder and managing partner of Think Big Partners.  “Having the ability to work with an innovative company like H&R Block is an extremely unique opportunity for entrepreneurs.  This is the chance for entrepreneurs to solve a specific problem and the opportunity to work with the strength, expertise and leadership of H&R Block.”

Entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their innovative ideas from November 19, 2012 until January 27, 2012 on the Hackovate Health website (to launch soon). Ten finalists will be announced in late January and will participate in the hackathon portion and undergo coaching, mentoring and the selection process.  Hackovate will conclude on February 26, 2012 with entrepreneurs presenting their solutions during the grand finale at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

Follow Hackovate Health to learn the latest updates: @Hackovate
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig