Growth partners, not just investors

We understand the opportunities and complexities of investing in healthcare technologies in emerging markets. We have worked in this space for over 20 years. It takes a wealth of health-specific expertise, knowledgeable mentors and ecosystem partners, beyond just investment capital, to successfully scale health technologies in LatAm’s complex health systems.

That is why we are growth partners, not just investors. Our unique value-add platform combines the world-leading knowledge and networks of our health industry LPs and advisors, with that of a network of local mentors and advisors and accelerators, to provide founders with the support they need, at every stage of their growth trajectory.

Investment strategy

LIVHealth (LIVH) invests in early and growth stage startups in Latin America, focusing in areas where the highest health gains can be achieved: namely non-communicable disease (prevention, diagnostic and care), and primary care across the entire patient journey. Targeting scalable ventures primarily in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, LIVHealth aims to improve healthcare access and drive social impact.

  • Startups should address substantial health system gaps and address key health needs, with a specific focus on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) challenges, such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and primary healthcare challenges.

  • Startups must be headquartered in and primarily serve the Latin American market, aiming to improve healthcare access, affordability, and quality within the region. Our key focus is on Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. We also consider startups in other Latin American countries.

  • LIVHealth invests in early and growth stage startups at the seed and series A stage. LIVHealth looks at startups with recurring revenue and potential for significant growth and scalability, a clear business model and a viable path to profitability.

    • LIVHealth is an impact fund. Our mission is to increase access to quality healthcare for LatAm's currently underserved populations. The startups we invest in all have an intentional impact focus, and report on their impact performance. We apply four main impact criteria: 

    1. Focus on key healthcare challenges: primary healthcare and non-communicable diseases. 

    1. Depth of the intervention: technologies must have a significant impact on people's lives.

    1. Scale: Solutions must be highly scalable. 

    1. Access to the underserved: startups must intentionally and measurably target middle and lower income groups.

  • We invest in startups with healthcare solutions accessible to middle to lower income groups, who are currently un(der)insured and underserved. 

    We encourage and support startups to also partner with public health authorities to ensure equitable access to their technologies. 

What we bring to the table

  • Investment Capital

    We make equity investments at the seed and series A stage, ranging from approximately US$ 0.5 to 3 million. We can lead or follow with aligned and complementary co-investors. And we reserve capital for follow-ons.

    We are an active investor: where appropriate we prefer to have a board seat position.

  • Value Add Facility

    LIVHealth's grant funded Value Add Facility leverages a robust network of international experts and local mentors, consultants and advisors, who can provide strategic and tactical insights, and industry connections to help startups navigate the challenges of introducing and scaling new health technologies within complex health systems. 

  • Market Access and Expansion

    We support market entry and expansion within Latin America, helping startups identify and tap into new customer bases and healthcare networks. 

  • Impact Measurement and Support

    We support founders in defining and measuring their social impact performance, alongside measuring business KPIs, using a comprehensive impact measurement framework developed with renowned impact institutes. 

    We enable impact evaluation and consumer feedback surveys, providing timely insights of the impact on patients' lives that can be attributed to the health technologies we invest in while contributing to the improvement of the product or service. 

The origin of LIVHealth

The idea for LIVHealth was conceived by MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA in the United States and Canada, and developed together with Total Impact Capital. MSD’s Impact Venture Fund provided strategic guidance and startup funding to Total Impact Capital to launch LIVHealth, but will not be involved in the management or operations of the fund, only serving as a member of the Limited Partner Advisory Committee.