April 15, 2025 | 26 MIN
In this episode of the Rainmaker Podcast, Michele Colucci, founder and managing director of DigitalDx Ventures, joins Gui Costin to discuss how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare diagnostics—and how her firm is leading the charge. With a background spanning law, technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, Michele brings a multidisciplinary approach to investing in early-stage diagnostic companies that leverage AI and data to detect disease earlier, more accurately, and with less invasiveness.
Michele describes the mission of DigitalDx: to identify startups that enable faster, more accessible diagnostics for major diseases, particularly in areas like neurology where early detection is critical but traditionally difficult. She explains that the human body is essentially a data problem—and that by harnessing AI, it becomes possible to detect issues long before symptoms appear. One of the firm’s standout investments includes an FDA-approved over-the-counter syphilis test with a 10-minute result time.
She walks listeners through the firm’s investment criteria, focusing on statistically significant sample sizes, scalability, and team coachability. DigitalDx looks for companies under a $20 million pre-money valuation and plays an active role post-investment, often joining boards and supporting portfolio companies through major growth milestones. Michele emphasizes the power of deep bench support—her team includes experts from NVIDIA, Stanford, Siemens, and more—alongside an innovative “Entrepreneur in Residence” program and a fellowship that sources global deal flow while nurturing underrepresented talent in venture capital.
DigitalDx distinguishes itself not just by investing capital, but by offering founders access to a robust, highly experienced network that helps de-risk startups across science, regulatory, reimbursement, and go-to-market strategies. Michele also touches on the importance of aligning passion with professional purpose, both for her team and young professionals entering venture capital. Her leadership style prioritizes conviction, team ownership, and positivity, steering away from zero-sum thinking and toward collaborative problem-solving. As Michele reflects on market headwinds, she points to fundraising as a current challenge but emphasizes that conviction-driven investors—those looking ahead to where innovation is going, especially at the intersection of AI and healthcare—are best positioned for long-term success.
This episode offers a powerful look into how visionary leadership, deep domain expertise, and a mission-driven model can reshape the future of healthcare investing.
Building a Culture ofKindness and HighPerformance: LeadershipLessons from Dakota
Mastering Sales Targeting & Outreach with Gui Costin
Measure Success: Successful Sales Strategies That Actually Work
Mastering Institutional Sales with Allen Gray of Silvercrest
Driving Sales and Success with Brad Jung, Russell Investments
Democratizing Private Equity with John Bailey, OneFund Investments
Guantong (“GT”) Sun on Process-Driven Fundraising at Turning Rock Partners
Scaling Private Wealth with Doug Krupa, KKR
Michele Colucci on AI-Driven Healthcare at DigitalDx Ventures
Driving Distribution with Discipline – Daniel Noonan, Cohen & Steers
Earning Trust, One Deal at a Time – Drew Dolan, DXD Capital
Joe Grogan on Culture and Consultative Sales at WisdomTree
How Stacy Havener Built Havener Capital on Storytelling and Strategy
Capital Formation, Not Sales – Inside CAZ with Christopher Zook
Fundraising with Precision: Inside Optimizing Sales at LAB Quantitative Strategies with Shane McCarthy
Inside the Capital Formation Playbook of RMWC with Michael Rubenstein
Educate, Don’t Sell – Danielle Brown’s Fundraising Playbook at Altriarch
John Donovan on Building Trust and Transparency at TowerBrook
“Thinking Big” with Urban Standard: Seth Weissman’s Approach to Fundraising and Growth
Andrew Saunders on Building a Collaborative Sales Culture at Castle Hill Capital
Inside 65 Equity: Leon Brujis on Partnering with Founders for Growth
Inside Dundas Global Investors: James Curry & Andrew Brown on Hybrid Sales and Service
Culture, Content, and the Future of Investment Sales
The No Policy, Policy with Gui Costin
Sales Confidence, Culture & Connection with Gui Costin
Gui Costin On How To Create a High Performing Sales Team
How To Win More Deals with Effective Cold Email Techniques with Gui Costin
How to Build Unconventional Cultures That Thrive with Gui Costin
Leading with Kindness: Building a High-Performance Culture Without Burnout with Gui Costin
The Dakota Way
Mastering Sales with Data Driven Growth with Gui Costin
How Dakota Raised $30 Billion For Their Clients
The Dakota Way: Why it Matters with Gui Costin
What We’re All Missing to Be Successful at Sales and Like It with Gui Costin
A Culture Of Success
Words Matter: How Gui Costin Built a Culture of Kindness and ExcellenceNotable Leaders' RadioPlay
Mastering the Art of Fundraising: $40 Billion Raised Dakota CEO, Gui Costin
Unlocking the Leadership Code: Lessons from the Frontlines
The $40 Billion Secret: Gui Costin on Trust, Leadership, and Redefining Sales
Helping Investment Firms Thrive – Fastlane Founders with Gui Costin
The Power of Kindness
Sales Leadership in the Investment Industry with Gui Costin
A Modern Leader’s Guide to Sales Success with Gui Costin
Gui Costin’s Proven Formula for Coaching Sales Teams to Success
Capital Raising Campaign Strategies with Gui Costin
Embracing Accountability in Sales with Gui Costin