A Higher Standard of Ambition: My Notes from Vertical Velocity ‘26
Between September 14-19, founders, operators and investors who have built and backed some of the most important healthcare companies in…
Vertical Velocity ’26
A cross-border immersion for India’s AI founders — this year, inside the US healthcare market. The 2026 cohort has now concluded. Sign up to stay up-to-date with our latest, so you dont miss the next one.
14 – 19 Sep 2026
DATESBay Area
VENUE8
COMPANIES
Vertical Velocity '26 Impact Report
Attendee outcomes, community data, and what founders said about the day.
100
NPS Score
25+
Sessions across program
8
Cohort companies
// THE PROGRAM
Two weeks inside the US healthcare market. In the rooms that take months of cold outreach to get into.
Operators, investors, and buyers — all specific to healthcare AI. Sessions, workshops, and a tight founder cohort. 12 founders did it last year. The group is still active. The connections are still paying off.
Vertical Velocity focuses on one market vertical per year. This year (and Cohort 1): US healthcare AI.
Vertical Depth
Every session, speaker, conversation — healthcare AI only. Not generic SaaS growth advice.
US-first Mindset
You're not learning about the US market from India. You're inside it, for a week.
Real Access
Operators, investors, and buyers who've built and scaled in US healthcare. No fluff.
A Founder Tribe
A cohort of founders with the same market, same challenges, skin in the game. Still active.
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COHORT 2 COMPANIES
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WHAT PEOPLE SAID
"If you want to do a startup in US healthcare but haven't gotten exposure to the US market, it'll be hard for you to find a program such as this which would concentrate learnings about the market in a short period of time."
"Vertical Velocity felt less like a program and more like a launchpad. We came away with sharper thinking on PMF, healthcare AI, fundraising, sales, and partnerships — and with relationships and introductions that can materially accelerate how we build in the U.S. market."
"As a solo founder navigating US healthcare, AIBoomi delivered far beyond typical event sessions. Avinash personally ensures you squeeze 100% ROI out of the cohort and your own plan. The real differentiator was the battle-tested frameworks and hard lessons on what not to do from seasoned founders."
// Speakers
The people in the room.
Abhishek Jha
Co-Founder u0026 CEO Elucidata
Dr. Jacob Eapen
M.D, M.P.H, D.C.H
Public Health Activist
Kamal Singh
Senior Vice President
WestBridge Capital
// Speakers and mentors
The people in the room. Cohort 2 speakers will be announced soon.
Three things you come back with
Access to investors, partners, and customers
You'll be in the same room as US healthcare operators and buyers — conversations that take months of cold outreach from 9,000 miles away.
A vertical playbook for the US market
Sessions and workshops on US healthcare sales, clinical workflows, compliance, and fundraising — specific to your vertical, not generic SaaS advice.
A founder tribe for the long run
A tight cohort of founders building in the same space — introductions and collaborations that start at a session and turn into actual business.
Built for founders who are serious about the US market.
Full-time, committed founders
Every session, speaker, conversation — healthcare AI only. Not generic SaaS growth advice.
Building AI-first for US healthcare
Specific to this year's vertical. Every session, connection, and playbook is tailored to healthcare AI.
US visa ready
B1/B2, H1B, or equivalent. You'll need to be in Bay Area Sep 14–19.
Open to 1–2 weeks in Bay Area
Travel and accommodation at your own cost. Core program experiences are covered by the program fee.
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Event Report
12 startups, 1 mission: The story of launching Vertical Velocity into orbit
Vertical Velocity is a 6-month cross-border program designed for AI-first Indian startups building in healthcare applications.
Building A New Muscle: How We Assembled Vertical Velocity
The first edition of Vertical Velocity kicked off with an action-packed US immersion on September 29, and the coming months promise more…
We’re supported by some of the most respected investors and ecosystem leaders backing India’s next generation of AI companies.
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