CHICC Expert Workshop - The Challenges of Exporting Digital Health Solutions to the US

Unlock the secrets to entering the world’s largest health technology market.

Are you a health technology startup with ambitions to scale into the US? Join us at CHICC for an exclusive in-person workshop with internationally renowned healthtech investor and strategist Lisa Suennen, Managing Partner at American Heart Association Ventures and CEO of Venture Valkyrie.

Breaking into the US healthcare market is a formidable challenge for non-US companies, with its unique regulatory landscape, complex financial and reimbursement systems, and fierce competition. This workshop will demystify the process, providing practical guidance on what it takes to succeed and why so many international ventures stumble at the first hurdle.

Drawing on over 35 years of experience at the intersection of healthcare, technology and venture capital, Lisa will share her unparalleled insights into:

• The critical steps and common pitfalls for Australian startups entering the US market

• Building for compliance, not avoidance: Why regulatory, clinical, legal and security frameworks are your secret weapon

• Investors, payers and providers: Decoding the US financial force field

• Standing out in a crowded market: Why a compelling value proposition is crucial

• Launching like a pro: Top tips to avoid a US market flop.

Who should attend?

This session is tailored for founders, executives and commercial leads from Australian digital health ventures who are:

• Considering or actively preparing for US market entry

• Seeking to understand the US investment, regulatory and reimbursement landscape

• Looking for actionable advice to de-risk international expansion.

THE DETAILS

Date: Thursday 10 June 2025

Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm (including post-event networking)

Where: CHICC, Level 2, 99 William Street, Melbourne, VIC

Speaker: Lisa Suennen, Managing Partner, American Heart Association Ventures | CEO, Venture Valkyrie

Session format: In-person delivery with presentations, interactive engagement and Q&A  

Registration: Free to attend, with thanks to the State Government of Victoria

MEET OUR EXPERT

Lisa Suennen, Managing Partner, American Heart Association Ventures | CEO, Venture Valkyrie

Lisa Suennen stands as one of the most influential figures in digital health and health technology investment, with a career spanning over 35 years at the intersection of healthcare, technology and venture capital. Renowned for her strategic vision, operational expertise and advocacy for innovation, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital health landscape globally.

Lisa is currently the Managing Partner at American Heart Association Ventures, where she oversees a platform of four venture funds investing across the healthcare spectrum. Her focus spans digital health, medical devices and solutions for cardiovascular and brain health, as well as broader determinants of health.

Previously, Lisa served as General Partner at Manatt Ventures, Psilos Group and GE Ventures. At GE Ventures, she directed the healthcare venture fund, evaluating thousands of pitches each year and making selective, high-impact investments in digital health, including AI-driven medical imaging, telemedicine and remote patient monitoring. At Psilos Group, she played a key role in early investments in companies such as Definity Health, ActiveHealth Management and Extend Health, all of which achieved significant exits, further establishing her as a leading healthcare investor.

Lisa’s investment philosophy centres on solutions that address real customer needs and navigate the complexities between patients, payers and providers. Named one of Business Insider’s nine digital health power players, she is widely recognised for her ability to bridge startups and large healthcare organisations. She has also been a critical architect in launching and scaling digital health initiatives such as the Go Red for Women Venture Fund and Cardeation Capital, pioneering disease-focused investment in the nonprofit sector.

Lisa chairs the International Investment Committee for Australia’s ANDHealth Digital Health Accelerator Fund, supporting early-stage digital health startups and international growth. She also led the Scientific Advisory Board for NASA’s Translational Research Institute for Space Health, demonstrating her commitment to advancing health innovation globally.

As Co-founder and CEO of CSweetener, Lisa created a mentorship platform for rising healthcare leaders, later acquired by the HLTH Foundation. She is a leading advocate for women in health tech, providing mentorship, writing on industry challenges and hosting podcasts to amplify female entrepreneurs’ voices.

Lisa is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Health Innovators Fellowship and teaches healthcare innovation and investment at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. She authors the widely read Venture Valkyrie blog and is an internationally recognised speaker and author on digital health and investment trends.

Important note for attendees:

To encourage inclusive and open dialogue, this event operates under Chatham House Rule. We kindly ask that you do not film or record this session, including the use of AI notetakers.

Please be advised that photographs and videos may be taken by ANDHealth staff. By attending this event, you agree to being filmed or photographed, and acknowledge that these may be used for marketing or promotional purposes.

Conditions:

• All guests attending CHICC workshops are required to complete surveys and reporting requests as a condition of complimentary registration. Your feedback helps us provide the best support for Victorian digital health companies.

• Numbers are strictly limited. ANDHealth reserves the right to allocate limited availability to maximise the number of companies that will benefit from the program.

This CHICC workshop is powered by ANDHealth and supported by the State Government of Victoria.