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STRATEGY AND INNOVATION 40 25 Companies Disrupting Healthcare Today By Kelly Gooch H ealthcare is ripe with op- portunity for investors and entrepreneurs. Mobile health, sophisticated consumer expectations, data transparency and preference for on-demand services at a flat fee have ushered in a class of companies that resist the status quo. ese companies have created pill bottles that glow blue when it's time to take your daily dose, an app that connects you with a therapist in a single text, and a database that harnesses the wisdom of crowds to more quickly and efficient- ly solve complicated medical cases. And that's not all. Here are 25 companies disrupting healthcare today. ey're worth keeping an eye on. 1. AdhereTech. is New York City- based healthcare firm creates adherence tools, such as a smart pill bottle that tracks medication adherence in real-time. At the optimal time to take medicine, the bottle turns blue. If it isn't opened, it turns red and begins to beep. e bottle also ana- lyzes the patient's pill usage to see if they miss dosages. If so, AdhereTech's sys- tem issues reminders via text message or phone call. 2. BetterDoctor. BetterDoctor, based in San Francisco, is a comprehensive phy- sician search tool. e company's web and mobile apps allow users to search more than 1 million physicians, dentists and specialists. Its rating system analyzes ed- ucation, experience and other measurable factors to identify the best providers. Since the launch in 2012, BetterDoctor web and mobile apps have helped 20 million pa- tients find the right physician, according to AngelList. 3. Breakthrough. Based in Redwood City, Calif., Breakthrough offers online therapy, mental health services and tele- therapy. Patients can browse through the company's list of providers and watch in- troductory videos to find an appropriate mental health provider. Patients can meet with a therapist virtually anytime, in- cluding nights and weekends, when most traditional therapists aren't available for in-person appointments. Breakthrough also offers personalized one-on-one train- ing to help providers develop an effective online presence. 4. CrowdMed. CrowdMed launched in April 2013 and has helped solve hun- dreds of medical cases. e San Fran- cisco-based startup that harnesses the wisdom of crowds to more quickly and efficiently solve complicated medical cas- es. Founded by veteran technology entre- preneur Jared Heyman, CrowdMed allows patients to submit symptoms and other relevant data so online participants can suggest likely diagnoses based on their own knowledge and experience. Patients can use this information to work with their physician and obtain proper treat- ment. 5. Curbside Care. Philadel- phia-based Curbside Care coordinates on-demand, in-person house calls via mo- bile and web-based applications. e tech- nology platform bridges a market of frag- mented supply and untapped demand by connecting off-shi physicians and nurse practitioners to patient users in real time. e company was co-founded by Grant Mitchell, a former healthcare consultant at McKinsey. Mr. Mitchell previously co-founded AdhereTech, which is focused on improving medication adherence via smart pill bottles. 6. FIGS. FIGS, which stands for "fash- ion inspires global sophistication," is a Los Angeles-based medical apparel company that launched in 2012. With functionality, fabrication and fit in mind, the company designs scrubs using high-quality antimi- crobial fabrics, and offers separate designs for men and women. All scrubs include pockets. On the FIGS website, customers may purchase scrubs in a variety of colors, such as black, midnight blue and purple, as well as lab coats. FIGS will begin selling long sleeve shirts, vests and fleeces this fall. Additionally, for every set of scrubs sold, FIGS gives a set to a healthcare provider in need through its threads for threads initiative. Overall, FIGS has donated more than 75,000 sets of scrubs in 26 countries around the world. 7. Gamgee. is Palo Alto, Ca- lif.-based mobile health startup, led by former Epocrates chief technology officer Bob Quinn, seeks to improve patient en- gagement with voice-enabled technology. Its 22otters app helps patients prepare for a colonoscopy by providing a list of daily tasks keep patients on-task and on-time with their procedure prep. rough the app, patients receive easy-to-follow steps and timed reminders with accompanying audio and visual displays. e company, funded by Khosla Ventures, raised $2 mil- lion in May 2014. 8. Glow. About two years ago, San Francisco-based Glow launched an epon- ymous reproductive health app with help from big-name backer Max Levchin, a PayPal co-founder. Glow's menstrual and ovulation calculator helps women learn about their fertility, whether avoiding or attempting pregnancy. Glow is an ovu- lation calculator that also records your period, mood, symptoms, sex and medi- cations; it also predicts a woman's fertil- ity and assists those undergoing fertility treatments like IVF or IUI. 9. Heal. Co-founded by Renee Dua, MD, and her husband Nick Desai, Heal is an app-based service for on-demand house calls. e company, with locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Or- ange County, Calif., promises to bring a licensed pediatrician or family physician to your home in less than 60 minutes. e price for the house call: a flat fee of $99. A medical assistant does the driving and parking.