GCV Powerlist 2017: Tom Rodgers

Tom Rodgers’ return to US healthcare provider McKesson in 2014 has inspired a fast-moving corporate venturing unit launch and the hire of top industry names, such as Dave Schulte.

McKesson Ventures, the company’s $250m corporate venturing unit, made six deals in its first 10 months, Rodgers said, and a handful more last year. In August, Shyft Analytics, a US-based provider of cloud analytics software for the life sciences industry, raised $12.5m in series B funding from investors including McKesson and Medidata Solutions. Komodo Health raised an undisclosed stealth round also including IA Ventures and Felicis, while Landmark is a New England-based owner, operator and management services provider for older people.

A decade ago, Rodgers was vice-president of corporate strategy and business development for McKesson before joining venture capital firm Advanced Technology Ventures in 2004 where he was a partner for nearly eight years. He then had a two-and-a-half-year stint as director of strategic investments at healthcare technology provider Cambia Health Solutions before rejoining McKesson.

In 2014 at the unit’s launch, John Hammergren, McKesson’s chairman and CEO, said: “McKesson Ventures will help us support the development and commercialisation of innovations taking place across healthcare. By investing and partnering entrepreneurs and other investors that can bring new approaches to the challenges our customers are facing, we will accelerate the innovation cycle and further strengthen the value we provide to industry stakeholders across all segments.”