Fierce Healthcare senior writer Anastasia Griadkovskaya returned to the New York Stock Exchange floor Monday morning to spotlight the 2026 Fierce 15 winners.
In an interview on NYSE TV, Ms. Griadkovskaya spoke with host Kristen Scholer about the major gaps in healthcare, the focus of the 2026 winners on proving their ability to address those issues, and the technology they are using to do so.
“This is a very popular process, as we received hundreds of nominations this year, and we have a strong history of selecting companies that ultimately become very successful healthcare companies,” Griadkovskaya said. “This year, we were really looking for companies that are proposing fresh, unique ideas and looking to establish themselves in the market. We want to see them demonstrating a clear impact, and we believe these 15 winners are doing just that.”
Check out the video here Or more, read the interview transcript below.
kristen schoeller: What problems are these winners solving?
Anastasia Griadkovskaya: As we’ve talked about, many gaps remain in the system. There is a shortage of health care providers in rural areas, inefficiencies that overwhelm hospital systems, and administrative burdens that cause health care providers to spend hours filling out documentation instead of treating patients. All of this comes together and the founders of our company (Fierce 15) are really focused on bringing the technology element into the healthcare element to solve those problems.
K.S.: That’s why a company called Wisp is working to break down barriers in women’s health. I think you mentioned women’s health earlier. We’re talking here after International Women’s Day, so why was that thread important to Fierce in putting this report together?
A.G.: Well, Wisp is a very unique company in that we provide end-to-end women’s healthcare. This is something we often see, and while there are perhaps individual solutions offered to address menopause care or reproductive health, it’s rare to see companies offering a substantial range of services. That’s what Wisp is all about, bringing a holistic approach to women’s health.
We just need more solutions in this space that address women’s health, and Wisp was a unique company because it’s one of this year’s few winners that is actually almost completely self-operated. I mean, they didn’t raise a lot of venture capital, but the fact that they’ve been profitable for five years and are approaching $100 million in revenue really speaks to how much this product resonates in the market.
K.S.: AI is part of every business conversation we have every weekday here at the NYSE. Safe deployment of AI is clearly important, especially when it comes to something as deeply personal as health. How does Fierce protect that, the safe deployment of AI?
A.G.: Well, some of the AI is actually focused on deploying AI in a safe and responsible manner. Qualified Health… Their entire model is a governance layer that makes sure AI is deployed safely and responsibly in the healthcare system. We also have Hyro, an AI agent that supports administrative workflows such as patient registration, FAQs, and prescription refills. They’re doing it in a safe way, they’re protecting patient privacy, and it’s not necessarily related to the delivery of care. …And then there’s Neuroflow, an award winner focused on integrating health behaviors into primary care and hospital settings. We know that healthcare providers are pressed for time, so AI helps assess, triage, and refer patients to behavioral health services, while ensuring that they practice at the highest standards for their license.
K.S.: How important are founders to the success of these companies you focus on at Fierce?
A.G.: That’s very important. These founders are visionaries, and more importantly, they have lived experience with these challenges. This is not someone coming in from an outside market and trying to find their way in. The founders on this year’s list really understand the ins and outs. They have experienced aging parents and dealt with the complex chronic care journey, so what they are building is based on their own understanding of how complex the system is.
K.S.：This year’s special report brings together a wide variety of companies. Is there a common thread that ties them all together?
A.G.: I think technology, but all of these founders are really focused on results. There is a lot of discussion about how to focus on value over quantity. How do we deliver something truly meaningful and demonstrate a return on investment? This is critical when approaching investors and potential partners, as well as patients and end users. You need to make a strong case, so you can prove that you are actually controlling costs and getting good results.
