UCSF Rosenman ADAPT
Cash support and connections to payers for startups developing breakthrough technologies to improve healthcare efficiency.
Adapt to Challenges
We launched the ADAPT program in 2020 to address the healthcare system inefficiencies highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program attracted more than 500 companies from across the world. The program partners, Echo Health Ventures, Express Scripts and UnitedHealthcare, each selected a company to receive $150,000 cash and mentorship to accelerate the dissemination of their solutions. In additional, several other partnership conversations were initiated due to the program. We will leverage the lessons learned from ADAPT to create a robust program that can continue to provide value to both startups and payers/health systems.
The ADAPT program will continue to focus on identifying promising companies that, with our support, can accelerate the development of transformative health solutions. We believe that speed is essential and that by leveraging our community we can surface promising solutions that can be more rapidly assessed, refined and deployed through our payer and health system partner network.
We have already begun to activate our innovation community to surface the very best ideas that our team will quickly curate based on focus areas. Our payer/health system sponsors would then review and identify which best match with their specific focus and prioritization. The UCSF Rosenman Institute staff and advisors will provide the needed strategic, technology, regulatory, clinical and administrative support. We look to our sponsor partners to provide their strategic guidance, health data, piloting environment and modest capital support (minimum of one $150k award for one company).
Benefit to Entrepreneurs
The benefits to the entrepreneur are compelling, including the “matching” with a major Payer or Health System that dramatically accelerate commercial validation and adoption, financial award, the support of UCSF Rosenman Institute staff and advisors, and access to our investor network.
Benefit to Sponsors
The benefits to our payer, health system and technology sponsors include access to promising innovations that have near term impact without disruption to current internal initiatives as well as building linkages to the robust UCSF innovation and investor community.
Eligibility
Applicants must show their solutions are innovative and have the potential to be deployed on a national scale.
- If selected, applicants must commit to provide staff, time, and resources to validate, pilot, and deploy the solution that is being developed.
- Companies from early (proof of concept) to late stage (revenue) are eligible.
- Companies based anywhere in the world are eligible.
Got a question? Please see FAQ.
Coverage
A deep dive into ADAPT and the value of competitions to meet contacts and grow your network: Check out the HealthChangers Podcast: Echo Health Ventures’ Karim Botros on Innovation Competitions and their Role in the “Renaissance of Health Care.”
Partners
Timeline

Areas of Interest
This is not a complete listing. Other proposed solutions are welcome.
Digital Solutions
Tracking, remote monitoring, triage tools, resource optimization, risk identification
Clinical Trials
Recruitment, monitoring, validation
Patient Support
Peer support; remote monitoring
Mental Health Solutions
Anxiety, depression, telecounseling, etc.
Telemedicine
Elderly Care and Self-Quarantine Support
Self-care solutions
Pharmacy Remote Solutions
Refills and delivery, etc.
Burden Relief for Healthcare Professionals
To prevent burnout, optimize resources
Resources Provided
By the UCSF Rosenman Institute and corporate partners of the ADAPT program.
Remote Participation
All presentations and interactions are virtual
Cash
$150K non-dilutive funding
Fast Turnaround Time
Insights
On how to implement, which data are key, and what pilot environment is optimal
Support
For reimbursement, clinical validation and deployment
Access
To data and HIPAA compliant infrastructure
Investor Introductions
To strategic and venture capital investors
FAQ
This section continually updated. Please get in touch using the form at the top right of this page if you have a question that you want answered.
Technology focus
Q. Our technology addresses mental health-related issues arising from COVID-19. Should we apply for this opportunity?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you only want COVID-specific solutions (return to work COVID monitoring, etc.), or are you open to solutions in chronic diseases that excel in COVID circumstances?
A. We are open to more general solutions. They do not have to be COVID-specific.
Company status
Q. Our company is at a later stage with a product on the market. Are we eligible?
A. Yes, if your service or product can be pivoted to improve healthcare efficiency or reduce the impact of COVID-19.
Q. I am working on technology without a formalized/incorporated company. Can I apply to ADAPT?
A. Yes. Pre-incorporation and early-stage is also eligible.
Q. We are not officially formed as a company and have a proposal that would be under proof of concept. In addition, all of us have full-time jobs in different companies. Would this prevent us from being able to work in our roles as well as this concept in the case that our concept is picked?
A. We want a team that is fully dedicated to the project. A project is not eligible if the leadership is part-time.
Inside vs. outside United States
Q. My company is based outside the United States. Are we eligible to be selected?
A. Yes.
Q. Our company is working on a project with a focus of COVID-19 response in Africa. Will ADAPT allow funds to be directed to Africa or is it specifically for the United States?
A. Funds can be directed outside the USA if the company is outside the USA.
Q. Must the area of implementation be in the USA?
A. Not necessarily. We are looking for solutions that can be implemented inside or outside the USA.