Shark Tank’s Daymond John Explores Health Tech at HIMSS Conference
By Alexis Kayser, Healthcare Editor
LAS VEGAS – Entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor Daymond John made a surprise appearance at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference in Las Vegas this year, displaying a keen interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare.
John, also the founder, president, and CEO of the global fashion brand FUBU and CEO of The Shark Group, attended the opening keynote address on March 4, given by fellow “Shark Tank” star Robert Herjavec. Herjavec, founder of the cybersecurity firm Cyderes, discussed the rapid evolution of AI and its impact on the healthcare industry.
John explained his interest in AI to Newsweek after the event. “I’ve been really digging deep into the biohacking, longevity space over the last two to three years,” he stated. “[HIMSS] was something I wanted to come to because of all the technology and AI surrounding this category.”
“I really wanted to see what was out there,” John added.
As it turns out, there was a lot to see. The HIMSS global conference has become a major gathering for healthcare providers and technology companies, fostering new ideas and partnerships. The event has experienced growth, fueled by escalating investments in healthcare AI and cybersecurity.
Approximately 28,000 healthcare professionals attended the conference this year, according to a HIMSS spokesperson. Notably, the event saw a rise in executive-level attendees, with practitioners representing 30 percent of the total. Besides the attendees, nearly 500 speakers presented on various topics, and about 1,000 exhibitors filled the exhibit hall, including major industry players like Epic, Oracle, Microsoft, and Samsung.
Even John, a seasoned businessman, was impressed by the scale of the exhibition. “When I saw that show, when I saw that [exhibit] floor…whew!” he commented. “I have no idea how all these people are gonna make it. This is interesting to me.”
Total venture investments in healthcare companies reached $14.8 billion in 2024, up 17 percent from 2023, according to a recent analysis by banking group HSBC. Dealroom.co, a data and intelligence provider, reported that investors spent $65 billion on health tech, biotech, and pharma companies last year. These sectors combined represent the second-largest venture capital investment category, following enterprise software.
John isn’t the only “Shark Tank” investor with an interest in healthcare innovation. His former co-star, Mark Cuban, founded Cost Plus Drugs, offering lower prescription medication prices than most pharmacies. A 2021 study in Pharmacoeconomics estimated that Medicare Part D would have saved $8.6 billion if it had used Cost Plus Drugs’ pricing for generic medications.
Since being diagnosed with Stage II thyroid cancer in 2016, John has openly discussed his health journey. Now in remission, he told Newsweek that health tech innovations have aided him in tracking health markers, assessing his daily routine, and managing his condition.
“If the Oura ring didn’t come out a couple years ago, I wouldn’t know if hyperbaric chambers are working for me,” he said. “If you can meet people on their phones and they scan themselves on their own time, in the privacy of their own home, I think a lot of people are going to start addressing some of the [medical] issues that they have. That could potentially be lifesaving.”
John, who has branded himself as “the health shark,” has begun collecting contact information from HIMSS attendees who are interested in “joining his mission to promote longevity and health.” He also offered advice to health tech companies aiming to stand out in this competitive market, urging them to start each quarter by answering three key questions: “Why me? Why now? Why this?”
He emphasized that maintaining a brand’s core purpose and personality while regularly refreshing the business vision and strategy can foster longevity.
“The easiest thing to sell is the truth, and when they know that the product they have is bringing people back by itself,” John said, “it’s a very empowering thing.”
