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We build companies that shorten the distance between need and care.

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We build companies that shorten the distance between need and care.

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We do not believe in failing fast.

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We do not believe in failing fast.

In fact, we believe that the startup success rate should be dramatically higher than it is. Conventional thinking suggests that innovation comes with a compromise in discipline, and that failing fast is an indicator of positive progress. 

We disagree. 

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Increased discipline gives true traction to innovation.

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Increased discipline gives true traction to innovation.

The right leadership from startup through scale makes all the difference. Collectively, our team has successfully launched businesses that created billions in shareholder value.

Oval Copy Meet our team

Our Team

There are better solutions, that also happen to be profitable ones. Our businesses have transformed countless lives for the better, doing what is right for patients as well as for long-term growth.

Meet venture equity.

UnitedHealth Group Ventures is a hybrid of venture capital and private equity—venture equity. 

We are business builders who are also controlling interest investors, utilizing expertise in governance commonly applied in private equity. 

We are looking for the next generation of leaders. Visionaries who want to redefine how healthcare is delivered in our country. 

Our executive entrepreneurs are selected specifically for the needs of the business model, they often bring a unique blend of operating experience and financial discipline. 

We have assembled a team that has the knowledge, skills and experience to think outside the traditional lines of health care.

We have significant operating experience including decades of skill in navigating the healthcare system, as well as investing and operating in other industries or business models. So we add value to every stage of our businesses’ development, far beyond launch.

Meet The UnitedHealth Group Venture Team

Rob Webb

Rob is currently the president of UnitedHealth Group Ventures, leading investment strategies to advance innovative business models that improve the quality and affordability of health care.

Previously, Rob was the chief executive officer for OptumHealth Care Solutions, the leading global provider of consumer health solutions, serving over 70 million people.  Before joining UnitedHealth Group he was a partner with One Equity Partners, a global private equity firm managing $10 billion in investments.

He currently is on the board of Orthology and Renai.

Rob holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Erin Carnish

As Managing Director & COO at UnitedHealth Group Ventures, Erin builds businesses that create disruptive, positive change for the healthcare system. Since UHGV’s founding in 2012, she’s focused on creating and leading businesses to address our country’s struggle with diabetes, redefining how chronic pain is treated, and repositioning care for the frail, elderly and poor. 

Previously, Erin was Senior Vice President of Innovative Solutions at Optum Health. Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Erin was a senior manager in Andersen’s consulting practice. 

Erin holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical/industrial engineering from the University of Minnesota and attended Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management’s Executive Institute.

Erin is active in the community, having served as a board member of the local chapter of Feeding America, Second Harvest Heartland, for six years and most recently as Board Chair for Hopewell Music Cooperative North, an organization providing free and discounted music lessons in underserved communities.

Josh Marquart

As VP of Technology Strategy, Josh identifies and executes on opportunities to use technology as a differentiator and accelerate delivery.  He guides new businesses in scaling their technology to serve the needs of large, complex healthcare ecosystems. This includes ensuring businesses have the infrastructure, teams, and processes to provide tight security for their technology while still remaining fast and nimble.

Since joining UHG in 2001, Josh has served in several roles across technology, product management, project leadership, and operations. Prior to this role, Josh led program delivery and payer adoption for Real Appeal, a highly successful online weight loss program launched by UHG Ventures. Previously Josh launched Optum’s private healthcare exchange and created an engine for consumers to compare plans according to their preferred providers, existing prescriptions, and cost.

Josh started his career with Andersen Consulting and holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.

​ Nathan Hammer

Nathan is a Principal at UnitedHealth Group Ventures, where he evaluates and develops new business models, conducts due diligence on potential investment opportunities, and supports portfolio company strategy development and execution.

Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group Ventures, Nathan worked at L.E.K. Consulting in Boston.  At L.E.K. Nathan was active across a variety of verticals, conducting strategic and M&A engagements across healthcare, private equity, retail, airline, and other industries.

Nathan graduated magna cum laude with a BA from Brigham Young University, and earned his MBA with distinction from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Brad Otto

Brad joined UnitedHealth Group Ventures as an associate in 2017.  He is currently active with Orthology and developing new business concepts.

Previously, Brad worked in investment banking at Lake Street Capital Markets where he primarily supported the firm's M&A, capital formation, and strategic advisory services. Responsibilities included financial modeling, process management, and market research.

Brad holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota with concentrations in finance, accounting, and management information systems. 

Sarah Anderson

Sarah joined UnitedHealth Group Ventures as an associate in 2018.  She is currently active with developing new business concepts.

Previously, Sarah worked at Ernst & Young LLP where she specialized in audit services for mutual fund, hedge fund, and private equity fund clients. 

She is a CPA and graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in accounting and a supplementary major in Spanish. 

Chad Simmer

Chad joined UnitedHealth Group Ventures in 2018 as a business analyst.  He is focused on fundamental research, data analysis, and building the fact base behind business ideation.

Previously, Chad was a partner and research director at Disclosure Insight where he was responsible for overseeing data integrity and risk assessment research.

Chad holds a B.S. in molecular biology and an MBA, both from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is also a CFA charterholder.

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4 / 5

Launching businesses that define success in both financial and human benefits.

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Launching businesses that define success in both financial and human benefits.

Visionaries who want to redefine how healthcare is delivered in our country. Our executive entrepreneurs are selected specifically for the needs of the business model.

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Our Approach

Our approach is methodical and analytical.

UnitedHealth Group Ventures has developed a rigorous build-to-scale model to ensure that the market will support a scaled solution, designing sustainable businesses specifically to meet market needs. 

Whether it’s better access to health benefits for low-income patients, improved care for the elderly and vulnerable, market-leading prevention services for chronic conditions, and many others, all our businesses make a big difference in peoples’ lives.

We ensure we have the business blueprint before we start building.

We provide skilled resources and deep UnitedHealth Group Ventures leadership support on a sustaining basis to this end.

Proven With Consistent Outcomes

It’s a win for all constituents. A clear understanding of the destination is supported by experienced people and a well-defined process to illuminate the path. The result is positive disruptive change that begins to improve peoples’ lives, and generates strong returns for investors. 

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5 / 5

By every measure of success, our businesses deliver significant returns.

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By every measure of success, our businesses deliver significant returns.

Very often, our businesses solve the unmet health needs of our members. Because more care is not always better care. It’s about delivering the right care at the right time, and ensuring every step of the patient path is high-quality, effective and designed with true patient benefits in mind.

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