The U.S. healthcare system needs innovative solutions more than ever. Full stop. As such, programs like the Healthworx Accelerator are essential when it comes to promoting accessibility, affordability, and quality care throughout the industry. In anticipation of this next cohort, we sat down with Head of Healthworx Accelerator, Soo Jeon, to learn more about the path that led her to the Healthworx team, and what’s in store for Healthworx Accelerator in 2025 and beyond.

Tell us about your background—what led you to this role/point in your career?

My background is in policy, with a focus on U.S.–East Asia relations. I spent several years in Beijing, where I launched an ed-tech startup aimed at bridging the job market gap between students who studied abroad and those who didn’t. We built a virtual study-abroad platform and attracted users across 2 countries, but I ultimately shut it down after early missteps and the challenges of operating as a foreign founder in China.

Upon returning to the U.S., I quickly joined the Aspen Institute, where I worked with the Aspen Global Leaders Network—a transformative experience that showed me how leaders at career inflection points could build ventures that created real social impact. After nearly three years, I felt a draw back to the startup world but wanted to stay grounded in impact and purpose. I asked myself where impact was most needed—and healthcare was the clear answer. In 2022, I was lucky enough to join Emily Durfee (now Managing Director of our Ventures team) on what was then called 1501 Health, the first iteration of today’s Healthworx Accelerator.

What has been the most rewarding part of running Healthworx Accelerator?

Seeing real momentum build for founders. There’s nothing more rewarding than when a company leaves the program with new traction, whether that’s a commercial pilot, a key partnership, or a new investor relationship. We’ve designed the program to be practical and catalytic, so watching companies accelerate in meaningful ways is the most exciting part of the work.

In your mind, what differentiates Healthworx Accelerator from other programs across the industry or startup landscape in general?

Healthworx Accelerator is built specifically for healthcare. Our focus is on helping early-stage companies navigate the complexity of the healthcare system—where getting to market often depends on understanding the needs of payers, providers, and patients, not just building a great product.

What makes us different is that we operate as a hub. We bring the ecosystem together (founders, health plans, health systems, subject matter experts, and investors) to accelerate the kinds of conversations and decisions that usually take months or years to happen. Our 2-stage program is intentionally designed to increase the number of commercial relationships, when there is a match between a clear need and a potential solution.

When planning for a new cohort, what are some of the key things you look for in a founder or early-stage company?

We look for founders who are clear on the problem they’re solving and understand the complexity of the system they’re entering. Coachability is huge. This work requires flexibility and humility, not just confidence in the product itself. We also look for companies with some early validation or traction and a clear idea of what they need next. The clearer their goals, the more we can help.

What are some common attributes that some of Healthworx Accelerator's most successful alumni share?

They’re focused, adaptable, and deeply in tune with the people they serve. Whether it’s members, clinicians, or operational stakeholders, our strongest alumni know how to listen and iterate. They also understand that success isn’t always linear—it’s about building the right relationships, obsessively gaining feedback and staying persistent. Many of them stay connected to our network long after the cohort ends, which helps everyone in the ecosystem grow stronger together.

Can you offer some advice for aspiring founders and companies seeking acceptance to this program or others like it?

Be real about where you are and what you need. Programs like ours are most effective when founders come in with specific goals and a willingness to engage. The more you invest in the relationship, the more support you’ll get back, even if it's not always immediate.

What does the future of Healthworx Accelerator look like? What changes can we anticipate for the program over the next 5-10 years?

We’ll keep adapting to meet the needs of founders and the broader healthcare system. That might mean different cohort formats, deeper collaboration with our strategic partners, or more ongoing support beyond the traditional accelerator timeline. Our vision is for Healthworx Accelerator to continue serving as a connective hub, bringing together the people and organizations who believe healthcare can work better, and supporting the founders bold enough to build toward that future.