Qualcomm Life Fund
Qualcomm Ventures (QCV) began in 2000 with a $500-million fund commitment to make strategic investments in early-stage high-technology ventures, and it made its first investments in the wireless health space in 2007. The Qualcomm Life Fund now has been formed with the mission of accelerating global wireless health services and technology adoption.
The Qualcomm Life Fund remains within the QVC umbrella but specifically focuses on investing in venture-backed wireless health start-ups that will help accelerate the 2net Platform commercialization. The areas of specific interest to the fund range from personal wellness to disease management. Investments will be made in the following areas:
- Body worn or implantable biosensors or devices for vertically focused applications like chronic disease care, medication compliance, and fitness or wellness;
- Integrated system providers that do remote diagnosis, monitoring, or specialize in independent living;
- Mobile software health IT applications; and
- Health Informatics/Analytics
Current investments held under the Qualcomm Life Fund's include:
AliveCor has developed a clinical-quality low-cost ECG recorder that dramatically improves the accessibility of this critical medical diagnostic tool and that will revolutionize the way heart monitoring is performed. The AliveCor ECG is designed to work in conjunction with a variety of mobile platforms, including iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. The AliveCor ECG is not cleared as a medical device in the US and is currently not available for sale.
AirStrip Technologies develops first-in-class mobile technology that enables access to live and actionable patient data across the care continuum. By pioneering mobility in healthcare through solutions that can be accessed without restrictions—geographic or otherwise—AirStrip will further enhance physician reach and improve patient outcomes to transform healthcare. AirStrip Technologies develops native smartphone and tablet applications for true mobility-enhancing clinical workflow and decision making, allowing physicians to be anywhere and still access patient information.
Cambridge Temperature Concepts (CTC) is a start-up company founded in 2006 by a group of scientists from the University of Cambridge. The team at CTC has developed its first product, the DuoFertility fertility monitor, in order to help couples start their families. The company’s aim is to change the way temperature is monitored, making it more convenient, more reliable and more accurate.
Sotera Wireless is an early stage medical device manufacturer that is focusing on a new generation of cable free sensors and advanced wireless telemetry. The company was founded in 2004 and is currently developing wireless solutions that address the burgeoning vital sign monitoring needs of clinics, hospitals and remote home monitoring programs.
Telcare is committed to creating the very best medical device experience for patients and healthcare providers. Connecting powerful hardware and innovative software via a Machine to Machine (M2M), “no wires” approach, Telcare’s offerings aim to provide convenient and effective disease management tools. The company’s first diabetes solution, the Telcare Blood Glucose Monitoring System, won an E-tech Award at CTIA Wireless 2010, the People’s Choice Award at CTIA Wireless 2009, and Best in Show at MobiTechFest 2009.
WorkSmart Labs is a fitness technology company with a mission to make exercise and wellness a fun and seamless part of everyday life. Using cutting-edge hardware and software technology, the company’s products help keep users motivated to stay active and be healthy. WorkSmart’s mobile applications let you follow a personalized weight loss plan, schedule workouts, record them with your smartphone, track your eating habits, and more.
