Dr. Sheldon Weiss, CEO and Co-founder of Reveleum, explains that the company’s growth accelerated through NEC X’s Elev X! program, which focused on core problem validation and customer-centric development. Utilizing LEAN methods, they streamlined medical record management, securing investment and strategic partnerships for scalable healthcare solutions.
How did Reveleum’s experience in the NEC X Elev X! Ignite Venture Studio Program impact the company’s strategic direction and growth trajectory?
NEC X’s Elev X! played a pivotal role in helping us bring our software to market. One of the most impactful lessons we learned was a fundamental yet crucial question: What problem are you solving, and does it truly need to be solved? While many great ideas exist, it’s essential to assess how much of a priority the problem is for customers compared to other challenges they face daily.
Elev X! guided us through this process by encouraging us to conduct hundreds of customer interviews. They also taught us how to ask unbiased, non-leading questions—helping us avoid the trap of seeking validation for our pre-existing solution. This experience fundamentally shaped our approach to product development and market fit, ensuring we address real, pressing customer needs.
What were the key milestones and challenges Reveleum faced during the development of its proprietary technology for medical record management?
Our first major milestone was customer discovery. We conducted over 30 phone and Zoom interviews with healthcare professionals, followed by on-site observations to see their workflows in action—a practice we continue today. Interviews often present idealized or worst-case scenarios, but direct observation provided deeper insights into real challenges. This hands-on approach allowed us to develop a solution that truly addressed the problem.
One of our biggest challenges was securing time with customers—not only for discussions but also for live testing. Overcoming this hurdle led to our most significant milestone: successfully conducting beta testing in a live healthcare environment.
How does Reveleum differentiate itself from other health tech startups focusing on medical record management and operational efficiency?
Reveleum stands out due to our deep expertise in both LEAN methodologies and healthcare operations. While most software solutions automate manual tasks, we took a different approach. We first defined the core problem, then applied a LEAN methodology to seamlessly integrate into existing workflows without disruption.
Additionally, we prioritized data security, designing our platform to meet the same stringent standards as internal hospital networks. Finally, our irresistible pricing model offers a competitive advantage, making our solution both cost-effective and highly valuable.
Can you discuss any specific strategies Reveleum has employed to secure investment and support from NEC X?
Our initial funding came from angel investors, many of whom were close connections or referrals. We presented them with our vision for improving healthcare, backed by a strong business case. When considering venture studio and accelerator programs, we were drawn to NEC X for its deep technology expertise, strong corporate backing and ability to provide more than just funding. NEC X’s hands-on collaboration, access to NEC’s research and LLM technology and opportunities for strategic partnerships aligned with our goals.
The NEC X application process was straightforward. We applied online and were evaluated on innovation, market potential, scalability and alignment with NEC X’s focus. I encourage others with a clear vision and the potential for market impact to apply with NEC X.
How has Reveleum’s platform demonstrated its value in improving operational efficiency and patient outcomes for healthcare providers?
From the start, our platform was designed to enhance both operational efficiency and patient outcomes. It enables clinicians to quickly access critical data that is often buried in traditional EMRs.
However, what truly set us apart was our commitment to flexibility and continuous customer feedback. By listening to our early users, we developed additional features that directly impact revenue generation and cost reduction. Our clients have reported increased throughput, Improved clinician satisfaction with EMR navigation and direct revenue gains through enhanced reporting.
What are the major pain points in healthcare record management that Reveleum aims to address, and how does its technology solve these issues?
Currently, external medical records are shared via read-only portals (e.g., Care Everywhere, MyChart) or electronic fax (e-fax). While these documents can be imported into EMRs, they lack searchability and structured indexing. Reveleum solves this by:
- Automatically indexing documents by category (e.g., Labs, Radiology, OP Reports).
- Creating a keyword-based table of contents for each record.
- Using EMR-standard terminology for easy integration.
- Automate the entire process upon document receipt.
This ensures clinicians can quickly locate and access relevant information without manual sorting or searching.
How does Reveleum plan to scale its operations and expand its market presence in the coming years?
Initially, we focused on community-based hospitals (<200 beds) due to their simpler decision-making structures. We are gaining traction through word-of-mouth referrals among similar-sized hospitals. Additionally, we have:
- Engaged hospital executives to discuss our impact with potential clients.
- Begun procurement processes with two large hospital networks.
- Planned entry into industry trade shows upon securing larger clients.
- Hired our first salesperson, with plans to expand nationally as traction grows.
What advice would you give to other health tech startups looking to secure investment and partnership opportunities similar to those provided by NEC X?
My biggest takeaway from participating in an incubator program like NEC X was the importance of preparation. We had pre-work assignments before attending the intensive week in Palo Alto, and the more prepared we were, the more we benefited.
Out of 150 applicants, only 6 were selected as finalists and just three received funding. Success required excelling in their structured nine-month program, but the dedication paid off. Not only did we secure funding, but NEC X’s support helped us attract additional investors.
We’ve maintained weekly advisory meetings with NEC X since our acceptance, leveraging their expertise for ongoing guidance and strategy. Their mentorship has been invaluable in shaping our growth.
