Harnessing the Power of Early Intervention: SEED Healthcare’s Formula for Long-Term Impact

Healthcare is one of the most vital—and capital-intensive—sectors on the planet. But what happens when you apply a focused, seed-stage venture capital lens to it? According to Todd Perman, Managing Partner at SEED Healthcare, you unlock the power of early intervention, long-term alignment, and transformative potential.

In this episode of 0100 Impact Talks, Todd breaks down the philosophy behind SEED Healthcare, a venture capital firm dedicated to backing entrepreneurs at the intersection of healthcare, science, and engineering.

Why Seed-Stage?

Unlike many healthcare VCs that wait for clinical or commercialization milestones, SEED embraces risk earlier in the lifecycle. “We believe the most value—and the most alignment—happens at seed,” Todd explains. SEED typically invests $500K–$1.5M and takes an active role from day one.

This early-stage conviction allows SEED to partner with founders long before others are willing to commit—often when the science is still transitioning from lab to real-world application.

The Science & Engineering Edge

Todd emphasizes that SEED’s sweet spot lies in health innovation that’s deeply technical. “We want to back companies that are science- or engineering-led, not just software wrapping around workflows,” he says.

These include everything from diagnostics and devices to digital health and AI applications with real-world medical implications. The firm’s investment team, which includes a former Stanford radiologist and operators with IPO experience, reflects this interdisciplinary approach.

Founder Empathy Is Non-Negotiable

Todd is candid about the founder-first ethos at SEED: “Healthcare is one of the hardest verticals to build in. If you don’t believe in the person and their story, it’s hard to get conviction.” He shares how lived experiences—like a founder losing a loved one to a misdiagnosis—can often become the fuel behind breakthrough companies.

SEED looks for founders with a rare mix of scientific depth, operational stamina, and emotional intelligence. “We’re not afraid to invest in underdogs,” Todd notes.

Why Family Offices Are Leaning In

The conversation also explores the growing interest from family offices in healthcare-focused VC. “Family offices understand legacy, they understand long timelines, and they often want to be closer to impact,” says Todd. SEED’s mission-driven focus and high-touch model resonates with this profile.

The Broader Impact Thesis

While SEED isn’t an impact fund in the traditional sense, its investments often target major public health gaps. “We care deeply about alignment. Our companies aim to improve access, reduce costs, or increase clinical outcomes,” Todd explains. This broader sense of purpose attracts LPs who want to blend return with relevance.

What’s Next for SEED

With Fund II in the works and a growing portfolio of breakout companies, SEED is doubling down on its niche. Todd closes the episode with optimism: “If we can keep supporting these scientists and operators early, the downstream ripple effects will be enormous.”

Blog

Other news you might be also interested in

Why Family Offices Must Rethink Private Asset Investing: A Conversation with Ivan Nikkhoo

Family offices are playing an increasingly active role in private markets, yet many still struggle with strategy, manager selection, investment discipline, and portfolio construction. In this interview, Ivan Nikkhoo, Managing Partner at N3 Capital and Navigate Ventures, shares his perspective on how family offices should approach private assets, why direct investing often leads to poor outcomes, and where opportunities lie in today’s market.

“Investing Beyond the Usual Hubs: Inside Bicycle Capital’s Growth Equity Strategy”

Shu Nyatta, Partner at Bicycle Capital and board member of Endeavor—the world’s leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs—runs a $500M growth equity fund focused on Latin America, with a vision that extends far beyond the region. In this conversation, he outlines the fund’s unique positioning and explains why “elsewhere”—a concept originally developed and promoted by Endeavor—has become a powerful investment thesis that he strongly embraces. He shares why he is drawn to investing in markets outside traditional ecosystems, particularly Latin America, and explores how the region, along with Europe and other undercapitalized markets, can build world-class companies by connecting with global innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley and China.

Scaling Family Businesses: Insights from H.I.G. Italy’s Raffaele Legnani on Private Equity Opportunities

Raffaele Legnani, who heads H.I.G. Italy and brings three decades of private equity expertise, has seen the industry evolve through various economic shifts. Here, he discusses the challenges and prospects for Italy’s mid-market firms, the changing mindset of family-owned companies toward private equity partnerships, and the strategies H.I.G. employs—ranging from consolidation to global expansion and digital innovation—to generate long-term growth.