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Tom Richards To Join 7wireVentures As Operating Partner
Following a prolific 38-year career at Cigna, Richards brings his extensive health plan and employer expertise to 7wireVentures, helping drive enhanced growth across the firm’s portfolio
CHICAGO, March 2, 2023 —7wireVentures (7wire) announced today the addition of healthcare change agent and industry veteran, Tom Richards as an Operating Partner. Tom will spend time with 7wire portfolio companies to enhance their go-to-market strategy, operations, and commercial growth with an emphasis on employers and health plans.
Tom joins 7wire after more than 35 years at Cigna, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President and Global Lead of Strategy and Business Development where he oversaw the company’s enterprise strategy, corporate development, and business development. At Cigna, Tom was responsible for M&A activities from 2013 to 2018. His team also led the integration and divestiture activities of numerous transactions. In 2014, he co-founded and launched Cigna Ventures, partnering with healthcare entrepreneurs to help them in their growth. Tom also served on the Board of MDLive.
“We are so excited to welcome Tom as a 7wireVentures Operating Partner,” said Managing Partner, Lee Shapiro. His leadership role at Cigna, one of the largest and most innovative health insurance organizations in the country, was instrumental in its strategic direction. Tom has significant familiarity with our portfolio as Cigna has been a terrific and supportive 7wireVentures limited partner. His deep expertise implementing widespread innovation and passion for driving a consumer-centric healthcare system will bring immense value to our companies and the 7wire team.”
“When we launched Cigna Ventures, core to our strategy was that we look to not only invest in companies but partner with entrepreneurs to help grow early-stage businesses,” said Richards. “In 7wireVentures I have found a likeminded partner that shares the same operating tenets and hands-on approach to building companies that I have cultivated over my career in healthcare. I’m excited to join the 7wire team and partner with the firm’s portfolio of leading digital health companies as they work to enhance the health and care for consumers across the nation.”
Tom will also be joining Transcarent, a 7wireVentures portfolio company, as the Executive Vice President of Business Development. Reporting to Transcarent Chief Executive Officer Glen Tullman, Tom will oversee the organization’s business development strategy.
To learn more about his professional journey as well as his perspective on the future of the digital health industry read our 2021 Top of The Ladder conversation with Tom.