“My personal experiences have driven me to create a business that champions diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all talented entrepreneurs, regardless of their background, have an equal opportunity to thrive.”
Meet Stephanie Silverman of Solstice, a digital health consulting firm that connects mission-driven founders with the funding and resources they need. Fundraising is her superpower.
Through her experiences at Rock Health and Goldman Sachs, Stephanie has developed meaningful relationships at all levels of the healthcare ecosystem. She started Solstice to address a gap in the early-stage digital health market and is focused on guiding and advising founders in this niche.
Stephanie is a CFA Charterholder, earned her BA from Northwestern University and MBA from Wharton. Investments include Neuroflow, Ribbon Health, WellTheory and Zus Health.
In order for healthcare innovation to flourish, Stephanie believes that stakeholders at every level need to collaborate and support. Solstice partners with founders, venture funds and enterprise tech companies to propel digital health initiatives.
Tell us a bit about your company
Solstice is a boutique digital health consulting firm that partners with early-stage founders to accelerate their capital raises, execute high-ROI enterprise partnerships and make data-informed finance and GTM decisions. Fundraising is our superpower, and we love helping founders match with optimal investors and close capital fast.
What is your funding stage?
Plan to bootstrap/self-fund with no VC
What inspired you to start your business — what opportunity in the market are you seeking to address?
I founded Solstice to fill a void in the early-stage digital health market. When I was investing in digital health startups at Rock Health, I saw too many great founders struggle to raise capital, form the necessary partnerships and position themselves effectively to take their business to the next level.
With approximately 60% of digital health startups failing to make it past the Seed stage, I saw an opportunity to draw from my decade of relationship building, digital health investing and investment banking to provide tailored support and guidance to this community.
Our mission at Solstice is to empower our clients with the strategic insights, resources and connections they need to navigate the critical early-stages of growth.
What is it about your personal background, experience, or perspective that fuels your passion for this venture?
Throughout my years investing at Rock Health and banking at Goldman Sachs, I gained a deep understanding of the challenges that early-stage digital health founders face. I witnessed their innovative ideas and unwavering determination but also saw how many struggled to access the right resources and networks.
As a female founder myself, I am acutely aware of the unique obstacles that women and underrepresented individuals encounter in the tech, finance and healthcare sectors. My personal experiences have driven me to create a business that champions diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all talented entrepreneurs, regardless of their background, have an equal opportunity to thrive.
My time in the investment world also provided me with valuable insights into what investors are looking for and how to navigate the intricacies of fundraising. This knowledge forms the foundation of Solstice’s approach — helping startups not only build great products but also position themselves effectively to secure the vital capital they need to grow.
Ultimately, it’s my unwavering belief in the transformative potential of digital health and my desire to support visionary founders in making a meaningful impact on healthcare that drives my passion for Solstice.
What are one or two of the biggest wins or most encouraging experiences you’ve had so far?
Early-stage fundraising win:
Early-stage client secured a term sheet from a prominent VC less than 7 weeks after completing Solstice’s Investor Readiness Evaluation and signing a retainer for high-touch fundraising support.
Through high-stakes investor negotiations coaching, the founder signed a negotiated term sheet with a 10% higher valuation compared to the original offer. The client maintained majority control and full governance influence, while avoiding the concession of a board seat with preferred director status.
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Strategic partnership win:
Identified attractive strategic partners for an early-stage women’s health diagnostics company and introduced the founder to a key decision maker at a world-leading healthcare enterprise.
Coached the founder through complex partnership conversations, leading to a successful commercial partnership and 7-figure revenue opportunity.
What is an obstacle that you are grappling with as you continue to build this venture?
One of my key objectives is to help the earliest-stage founders, many of whom are often overlooked or face significant barriers when seeking guidance and support. I am deeply committed to providing them with the resources, mentorship and expertise they need to navigate the complexities of the digital health landscape successfully.
However, I also recognize the need to ensure the financial viability of Solstice. Sustainability is crucial for us to continue offering valuable services and support to these founders and the broader digital health community.
How can the WAFFA community help you?
Publicity and promotion, connections to potential clients (early-stage digital health startup founders), business building advice and community support
What has been the most rewarding thing about starting your own business?
Helping early-stage founders overcome challenges, secure funding and bring innovative healthcare solutions to market has been immensely gratifying. These are individuals who are passionate about improving healthcare and patient outcomes, and I’m honored to play a part in helping them achieve their goals.
Learn more about Solstice here, and connect with Stephanie here.
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This article is published solely for informational purposes and has no regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any person or entity. The information is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice. Please seek your own independent financial advice and do your own research in regards to any partnership or investment opportunities.
