Investing in AI-Native Healthcare with Venrock's Bob Kocher and Unity Stoakes

In this Fireside Chat, Venrock partner Bob Kocher sits down with StartUp Health co-founder Unity Stoakes to unpack why AI will drive more healthcare activity rather than lower prices, where he sees real opportunity for founders (from geriatric behavioral health to medication titration), and what actually makes an AI-native healthcare company defensible versus disposable. Bob also shares the one question he asks every founder in the first ten minutes of a pitch, and why "effect size" matters more to him than any competitive moat. Venrock has backed StartUp Health community members Devoted Health and Virta Health since their earliest days, both companies Bob holds up as examples of the effect size and durable distribution he looks for in a founder. 

This excerpt covers the conversation with Unity. StartUp Health members have access to the full audience Q&A and had the chance to ask Bob their own questions live. Join the community for a seat at the next one.

🚀 startuphealth.com