A3: HealthPlus

Thanks for sharing, Robert. Good recovery on the technical issues - they happen when they are most disruptive! There are a couple of typos in your presentation (e.g, "suffering" "scalable") this did not interfere with its capacity to outline HealthPlus' benefits in terms of addressing the problem. While the problem was clearly described, I wasn't sure of what HealthPlus really was, in and of itself. It's an important need and I'm glad that minds like yours are contemplating potential solutions. With a few more details regarding the business opportunity, you'd be off to a great start!

I think this venture has potential, and I believe it could support student health and well-being. It seems well researched and offers an interesting solution.There is a clearly presented problem and presents the solution. It is an important problem that I feel is not adequately addressed. The target market of students has clearly been studied and understanding of students and student needs are being considered. As well as the concept of stress and how to address it. The pitch offers a very clear description of the features. It’s a great use of technology for learning and tapping into emerging market trends with the use of wearables and mico-learning lessons.The challenge I see, however, and what I would like to know more about before investing, is the cost of the venture and how are students getting their Apple watches? Are the organizations providing all students with an Apple Watches? Is this what investors are being asked to fund? Do we trust students with Apple watches? Apple watches are expensive pieces of technology. I’m assuming the schools are providing because although some students (or their families) can afford these devices, but definitely not all. If students have to purchase their own Apple watch to partake, it will not go so well as there will only be a handful of students who will be able to afford such devices on their own. Also, as the person responsible for funding the venture and purchasing and providing the Apple watches to students, I’m wondering what is the age range of students being provided the watches? My reason for this is that some students will be responsible and take care of the technology and use the supports, however some may not. And is there a way of determining how students are using the watches–are the watches only to be used for the support, do the students own the watches and are they able to use them for other functions than just the supports for their mental health. My big question though is what is the ask of this pitch? How much are investors being asked to contribute? Is there a return other than the improved health and well-being of the students (which is self-evident and definitely important, but I just want to make sure!). Based on what I interpret, this venture has the feel of a social enterprise to it, which I like, and as an EVA I would be interested in supporting this venture, but I can’t commit to investing in it because I am not sure about the ask.

(Feedback) Hi Robert, I really like your idea and the podcast format is intriguing and demonstrates some risk taking. Actually, last year I attended Apple conference in Singapore that was about using the Apple watch and other devices in all in sync simultaneously, there was excellent demonstration with the speaker's heart monitored as a virtual object on stage--I wonder if that video or images are available--it was at Canadian International School Singapore. That school is all Apple device school K-12 and does some innovate things with Apple products might be worth finding evidence what they do in their maker-spaces. Anyway, what would be great if you could provide Venture information sheets so we could see the breakdown of features and more about your competition. I love podcasts and at their best they provide a narrative structure with possibly a monologue component, I am thinking of Team Human, Radiolab, and This American Life--if you could do that structure with musical interlude or intro or outro ambient music that would bring some professionalism to the presentation. It was clear and strong idea that might work as enterprise. Try to show us more of the possibilities--some podcasts have visual infographics or broadsheets such as Radiolab does and On the Media. Good job Robert, I really respect your talents!

FEEDBACK: Thank you, Robert, for the pitch on HealthPlus. I watched both videos, and the audio syncing issue is unfortunate (and I can empathize with the frustration it must have caused you), because I did get more out of the pitch with sync issues, as I felt it had a bit more information. While the idea of supporting students with mental health issues is extremely important, especially as schools move online, I am wary of investing in an educational technology for K-12 or postsecondary institutions that relies on students having a personal wearable that might be cost-prohibitive. If included in the pricing structure, the wearable becomes a consumable, as I assume watches would not be recollected, refurbished, and reused. I could see this potentially having more success in enterprise, but I would need more specific information before committing to invest in the venture as an enterprise solution. Thank you again.

[FEEDBACK] Robert, thank you for your pitch. After reviewing the wearable technology OER recently, I definitely agree that health-related wearable technology is a great emerging market to invest in. That said, it isn’t clear how your product is going to accomplish its goals from the elevator pitch alone. You’ve addressed a great need, but I want to know more about the actual venture. What does it do, and how? Also, you used future tense numerous times in the pitch, but also mentioned that the venture could help during our current crisis. It leaves me a bit confused – is your venture almost ready for launch, and do you think you can get it in the hands of districts and consumers fast enough to be utilized in our current situation? Anyways, those are the questions I’m left asking from the elevator pitch alone (though I imagine you may have addressed those aspects in your venture pitch).

REVIEW: Hi Robert. I think your idea is fantastic and very relevant in today's day and age. The number of students (and adults) with anxiety and other mental-health challenges is on the rise, so having a product like Healthplus is definitely invaluable. Your elevator pitch was successful in terms of quickly outlining the problem and explaining the solution as well. It had the necessary hook-- a smart-technology-based wearable combined with short bursts of learning. The learning can be audio, visual or text-based. I think you did a very good job explaining the product and its value--'complex need' vs. finite resources, student/teacher ratios, five minute reminder before activity change (that was a good one!), process of escalation, etc. While I feel that the venture pitch did an amazing job of explaining the value of the product to "customers", I think having some information on its value to "investors" would make your pitch stronger. As an EVA, I find your idea very innovative and pragmatic, but I would need information on the investment aspect such as : current market status. competitors, defining edge or unique selling point, what's the initial investment and what is the return on investment. Having information on these aspects would help me in making a decision to invest. Thank you!

Robert, Solid idea, and like Jessica says, it's something I've been thinking a lot about, especially during the pandemic. The only thing I would add is that given it's specifically developed for Apple Watch, it would only be available to those who can afford a watch like that, and I would argue that those people might already have the resources to seek help in another capacity. With that said, it doesn't mean that only those with high socioeconomic status have the resources to get help. I like that it's a straightforward idea with low upfront costs to develop, and that is why it's an intriguing idea for an investor.

FEEDBACK: Dear Robert, I truly like your idea! mainly as i see really the use and benefit here (maybe with some adjustments). I work for an international schools (mainly well off children from international expat families) and we see various children struggling with mental and physical problems. The peer, family and study pressure becomes huge. Faculty complain and say they are willing to teach and support where they can but they do not want to have the role of a psychologist or doctor. The challenge here why I did write a Review, is that as an EVA I am not sure what your business proposal is for me? Why would in invest, and where is the ROI? I think you could build this in relatively "easy" with a link to health insurance companies. I think parents would even pay for this solution, knowing that their kids have " a big brother" watching over the health status of their child.

(Feedback) Hi Robert. This is a great idea - And something we are desperate for! I have been so concerned for my students who struggle with mental health over the last few weeks of this pandemic. Being at school and getting the help they need is essential, and without this it is scary to think about.