At BioTalent, we’re passionate about creating and supporting communities that drive meaningful change. Our latest community, HealthTechQuity, is dedicated to spotlighting and connecting mission-driven leaders across Life Sciences and Digital Health.
To learn more about this exciting new venture, BioTalent’s Brand Manager, Becca Boulton, sat down with Perrin Joel, the founder of HealthTechQuity, to discuss her journey, the vision behind the community, and the trends shaping the industry.
From balancing purpose with profit to addressing disparities in access to care, Perrin’s insights highlight why HealthTechQuity is such a vital addition to BioTalent’s growing portfolio of communities. Read on to discover her story and the exciting future of HealthTechQuity.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I’m a born-and-raised Londoner. When I was younger, I wanted to work for the WWF (not wrestling!) and save endangered animals. However, I ended up studying History and later went into estate agency because I’ve always loved architecture and interior design. I wanted to work in a people-facing role, so it felt like a good fit.
A few years later, I transitioned into contract finance recruitment. I really found my footing during the Covid-19 pandemic when, while working from home, I had to get creative in a tough market. I started hosting webinars and writing a weekly newsletter for my market. I enjoyed this aspect of the job as it allowed me to engage with my network in a more personal, value-driven way, which also increased business and revenue as a byproduct.
For the past three and a half years, I’ve focused solely on HealthTech recruitment in the US, working at a specialist agency. I discovered a passion for engaging with mission-driven businesses that aim to improve lives and address disparities in access to care.
You’ve launched the new community, HealthTechQuity. Could you tell us more about it and how it fits in with the BioTalent communities?
HealthTechQuity is a community that connects and spotlights mission-driven leaders across the Life Sciences and Digital Health spaces, people who are building economically successful businesses while keeping their missions front and center. It aligns with BioTalent’s other communities, such as Race in STEM and BioTalent Social, by providing a platform for networking events, panel discussions, and recorded spotlight interviews, with a particular focus on the US.
Why did you want to launch HealthTechQuity? What is it about the sector that interested you?
I launched HealthTechQuity because, throughout my time working in HealthTech and Biotech, I’ve had over 1,000 conversations with people who are balancing the challenge of doing good, improving and saving lives, with the demands of managing fundraising and hitting revenue targets. I believe it’s possible to do both, and the two are deeply interconnected: without business growth, the mission cannot be achieved.
I wanted to create a space for these people to connect and inspire one another outside of traditional (and sometimes transactional) recruitment. What truly interests me about this sector is the personal stories behind why people launch or join certain businesses. It’s never just about money or ego; there’s always a deeper mission.
What trends are you seeing in the market at the moment within Life Sciences and HealthTech?
There’s a huge push for AI adoption. With the current innovations in the space, AI has the potential to positively impact patient outcomes, though there are significant barriers to overcome before it can be fully integrated.
Women’s health initiatives are finally gaining attention, but funding in this area still falls far short of where it needs to be. Additionally, we’re seeing more big pharma companies adopting and acquiring innovative HealthTech products, which should help these innovations reach a wider audience.
Remote care continues to evolve beyond mobile telehealth, with advancements such as pop-up prescription pods and increased use of wearable technology. These innovations have the potential to contribute significantly to narrowing health equity gaps.
Where do you want to see HealthTechQuity in the next five years?
In five years, I’d like HealthTechQuity to host regular in-person events in at least five hubs across the US. I hope that every event offers the community something new - whether it’s knowledge, connections, or opportunities for collaboration. Ultimately, I want the community to foster personal and professional partnerships that help individuals and businesses grow.