Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Sponsoring Live “Pitch Event” for Start-ups Focused on Tech Solutions in Senior Health Care Market

Eagan, Minn. (January 4, 2018) – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota today announced that the company is co-sponsoring the first-ever Aging Startup Challenge, hosted by Stella and Aging 2.0. The challenge is open to startups and entrepreneurs with innovative solutions, products or services that address needs within the senior care market. Finalists will be invited to Stella’s Innovation Center located at Treehouse Health in Minneapolis on February 15, where they will pitch their concept in front of a live audience and panel of industry expert judges. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000.

“We’re looking to partner with startup companies with new ideas on how to foster meaningful and healthy behavior changes within the Medicare population,” said Tom Vanderheyden, president of diversified business at Stella. “This is a great opportunity to network with other startups from across the country and potentially see if your concept could work on a larger scale.”

The judging panel for the Aging Startup Challenge is scheduled to include Michael Guyette, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota; Stacia Cohen, vice president for the Medicare STARS Center of Excellence at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota; and Troy Kopischke, co-chief executive officer and co-founder of Ivenshure. Additional judges will be announced in the days leading up to the event.

Start-ups and entrepreneurs from across the country are encouraged to submit applications at AgingStartupChallenge.com. Submissions are due by January 13, 2018.