E710 | Helen McShane, Young Lives vs Cancer and Zoe Peden, Ananda on Mission-Driven Capital: When a 60-Year-Old Frontline Charity Becomes an Investor

Healthcare startups rarely fail because of bad technology. They fail because the system won’t let them in.

In this episode, Andreas speaks with Helen McShane, who leads the Innovation Lab at Young Lives vs Cancer, and Zoe Peden, Partner at impact venture firm Ananda, about a new experiment in healthcare innovation: a charity investing directly in startups.

After more than 60 years supporting children and families affected by cancer, Young Lives vs Cancer has deep insight into where the system works — and where it doesn’t. Through its Innovation Lab, the charity is now deploying mission capital to support startups building solutions for young cancer patients.

Their first investment: £30,000 into Little Journey, a platform designed to help children prepare for medical procedures.

Helen and Zoe explore how charities can combine institutional knowledge with venture discipline to help startups navigate complex healthcare systems and accelerate adoption where it matters most.

In this episode:

• Why healthcare startups struggle with adoption

• What “mission capital” means in practice

• How charities can support startup innovation

• Why credibility and partnerships often matter more than cheque size