[September 16, 2014]

Healthbox Widens Industry Partnerships in Launch of Third Chicago-Based Accelerator

Healthbox today announced its collaboration with HCSC (Health Care Service Corporation) and five leading hospitals and health systems-Advocate Health Care, Ascension, Community Health Network, Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare and Ridgeview Medical Center-for its third Chicago accelerator. Eight companies have been carefully selected for the program by this collaborative group of healthcare industry organizations by demonstrating not only their experience in building innovative technologies but their flexibility to evolve as healthcare marketplace needs shift over time.

"Our goal at HCSC is to provide our members with tools and information that broaden their access to necessary services and encourage the most well-informed decision making, but we recognize we cannot build these technologies on our own," says Maurice Smith, Senior Vice President, HCSC. "By collaborating with some of the leading providers through Healthbox, we have selected eight companies that we can help guide toward business success and can potentially have an important real impact on the health of our members."

A closer look at the companies chosen for the accelerator shows how the healthcare industry is looking beyond its traditional relationships, looking for solutions that both solve immediate daily challenges and begin to explore future needs in an ever-evolving reimbursement system.

"The market is crowding with healthcare startups touting their newest disruptive solution that is addressing healthcare's largest challenge," says Nina Nashif, founder and CEO of Healthbox. "The eight companies entering Healthbox Chicago though, have really differentiated themselves not only by their technology and passion, but through a solid understanding of the strategic support they need to validate their product in the market and grow a solid business."

The eight companies in the third Healthbox Chicago accelerator are:

3rd Eye Health provides a secure platform for conducting telemedicine consults using wearable computers like Google (News - Alert) Glass. (Chicago, IL)

Benecure is a platform that drives behavior change for chronic disease patients through gamification, tracking and incentives, with an initial focus on hypertension. (Chicago, IL)

FitnessCubed has created Cubii, an under the desk elliptical that encourages activity in the workplace through a streamlined design and mobile connectivity. (Chicago, IL)

LIYEN has built Slyder, a spacer for asthma inhalers that increases compliance through innovative design and user customization. (Salt Lake City, UT)

Luna Lights is a fall prevention solution for elderly that includes a smart lighting system and cloud-based analytics. (Chicago, IL)

MyCareText is a flexible platform that enables health systems to send secure text and email messages to patients and caregivers throughout the patient journey. (Atlanta, GA)

Secure Healing automates compliance audits for health system IT departments for faster detection of inappropriate access. (Houston, TX)

Varsa Health is a platform for behavioral heath providers that gathers data from patient-reported outcome surveys, wearable devices and a patient's circle of care. (Chicago, IL)

This is just the beginning for the companies selected to participate in the accelerator. After pitching to a group of over 100 Chicago industry professionals today, the companies will be guided through a customized curriculum to drive product and business development. Please stay up-to-date on Healthbox Chicago and other Healthbox news by visiting our website at www.healthbox.com or following us on twitter @health_box.

About Healthbox

Healthbox (www.healthbox.com) is the preeminent resource to help healthcare startups achieve meaningful growth. Healthbox works with early-stage companies that are solving significant problems with technology. With operations in Boston, Chicago, Florida, Nashville and London, Healthbox has created a strong, global community dedicated to driving change in healthcare. Healthbox has a portfolio of 55 active companies and strategic partnerships with more than 20 healthcare organizations that have invested in Healthbox.

About Health Care Service Corporation

Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall, with more than 14 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and has a rating of AA- (Very Strong) from Standard and Poor's, A1 (Good) from Moody's and A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best Company. For more information, please visit www.HCSC.com, visit our Facebook (News - Alert) page or follow us at www.twitter.com/HCSC.

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