Keith Camhi is the Managing Director of the Techstars Healthcare Accelerator powered by Permanente Medicine Mid-Atlantic States. During his seven-year tenure at Techstars, he has led the global accelerator investment team, run accelerator programs with prominent partners including Melinda Gates's Pivotal Ventures (Future of Longevity), Samvid Ventures (Economic Mobility), and J.P. Morgan (in Washington D.C. and NYC), and has invested in nearly 70 startups.

Prior to Techstars, Keith founded and scaled FitLinxx (securing over $50M in venture capital and reaching #20 on the Deloitte Fast 500) and Great Play (three-time Entrepreneur Franchise 500 honoree). He subsequently served as an advisor to founders and as an entrepreneur-in-residence for two funds focused on healthcare and early childhood development, respectively. He holds degrees from Cornell and MIT, and has been awarded multiple patents in sensor and machine vision technology.

1. What kind of startups are you looking for in Techstars Healthcare?

We are seeking visionary entrepreneurs who are meaningfully transforming healthcare delivery, making it more accessible, personalized, and efficient. We look for solutions that enhance patient outcomes, reduce costs, and improve care experiences for both patients and physicians. When reviewing applications, we prioritize strong teams with unique insights into major challenges, the talent to solve them, and demonstrable traction, typically in revenue and/or customer interest.

2. Why is now such an incredible moment for healthcare and technology?

We are at a once-in-a-generation inflection point where advances in technology, predictive analytics, and precision medicine (among others) can fundamentally reshape patient care. The healthcare industry is actively searching for new approaches that improve outcomes while reducing costs, and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to drive that transformation. If you’re building something game-changing in healthcare, there has never been a better time to do it than now, and this accelerator is a perfect platform to help.

3. What makes this program unique?

In addition to leveraging Techstars’ expertise and global network, founders in this program will have the extraordinary opportunity to work with a national leader in patient care, and one of the largest integrated medical groups in the Mid-Atlantic. Permanente Medicine’s unique approach to delivering value-based care provides an ideal environment for startups to validate and refine their healthcare solutions, in an ecosystem that values innovation and is not encumbered by fee-for-service economics. 

Together, Techstars and Permanente Medicine offer an unparalleled opportunity for startups to iterate quickly toward product-market fit, build traction, and set themselves on a course to impact healthcare at scale.

4. Why is Washington, D.C. a great place to build a healthcare startup?

D.C. is at the epicenter of U.S. healthcare policy and innovation, making it an unparalleled location for startups navigating the complexities of the industry. With proximity to key stakeholders, including government agencies, top research institutions, and leading healthcare systems, startups here can build critical partnerships and gain strategic insights that are harder to access elsewhere. The region also boasts a thriving tech and startup ecosystem, offering founders a strong network of talent, investors, and expert mentors to help them scale their ventures.

5. What are some of the biggest learnings from your entrepreneurial journey that you bring to this role?

Having founded and scaled companies through both tailwinds and headwinds, I’ve seen that success isn’t primarily about a great idea—it’s about relentless execution, rapid iteration, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Investing in and working with nearly 70 startups at Techstars has reinforced this: the best founders adapt quickly, learn from setbacks, and stay focused on building real value for customers. 

This program is designed to assist driven entrepreneurs, help them avoid common pitfalls, and accelerate their path to success.

Read More