Welcome To The Cool Companies Spotlight: CARI Health
The Class of 2022 Cool Companies is absolutely stellar and we are excited to share them with you. This spotlight series provides the opportunity to learn more about each company from their founders, CEO’s, or Presidents. We will provide you a glimpse into the incredible innovation and talent being cultivated in San Diego.
The sixth spotlight in the series is dedicated to CARI Health.
What’s the best entrepreneurial advice you’ve received?
“If you start a company, make sure that you are trying to solve a big problem, because when your company successfully develops a solution for that big problem you will create lot of value.”
What inspired you to start this company?
I had a close family member that struggled with opioids and that inspired me to start this company.
What’s your most satisfying entrepreneur moment so far?
Fortunately, we’ve had several satisfying moments lately. But unquestionably the most satisfying moment so far was a personal story from the son of two opioid use disorder (OUD) patients. Our work touched him deeply because OUD patients represent our targeted patient population and he is convinced that it would have been life changing for him and his family if our solution had existed when he was growing up.
What is the hardest thing about being an entrepreneur?
Why is your company the best solution to the problem you're solving?
Our secret sauce is the assay our team has developed. Its flexibility, resilience and longevity make it very unique from other sensors and provides great potential for many different clinical use cases.
Anyone that you like to look at as a role model?
I look up to Laird Hamilton, who is primarily known for pioneering big wave surfing, but he is also a successful inventor and entrepreneur. He continues to innovatively combine technology, teamwork and meticulous physical as well as mental preparation to pursue his dream, which is to surf the biggest, fastest and longest waves in the world. All while maintaining what appears to be a happy marriage, a good relationship with his children and a balanced family life.
Where would we find you out and about in San Diego?
Our boys play soccer and basketball, so on weekends you’ll find our family either on soccer fields or in basketball gyms around Southern California. If there are waves and I have a free hour or two you might find me in the line-up at Seventh Street in Del Mar.
Here at Connect our mission is to help San Diego’s incredible startup companies grow and succeed. We hope you enjoyed reading The Cool Company Spotlight. Stay tuned for more upcoming spotlights!