Episode summary
Scaling Healthcare for Life: A Conversation with Adele C. Oliva of 1315 Capital
Dakota Live!
· · Hosts: Robert Morier, Alex deMarco, Paetyn Knepp · Guests: Adele C. Oliva
Summary
Adele C. Oliva frames 1315 Capital as a healthcare growth equity firm built around commercial-stage businesses, with a focus on products, services, outsourcing, and health and wellness rather than facility-based provider rollups. She says the firm has raised over $1 billion across three fund families, and its edge comes from staying disciplined on subsectors, capital efficiency, and the ability to support companies across different market cycles. She also emphasizes that exits matter: 1315 wants investments that can return capital to LPs such as foundations, endowments, and pensions.
A major theme is people and culture. Oliva says she evaluates candidates by asking whether she would be willing to work for them, and she credits mentors like Allan Patrickoff and Jason Green for shaping 1315’s hiring philosophy. She says zero voluntary turnover over 10 years reflects the strength of the firm’s culture and its focus on being constructive partners to entrepreneurs.
The conversation also covers Philadelphia’s role as a healthcare and life sciences hub, the firm’s preference for revenue-stage companies with repeat purchase patterns, and the growing role of AI in reimbursement, patient monitoring, and FDA-related workflows. Oliva closes by stressing gratitude, presence, and networking as long-term advantages in both investing and career development.
Key takeaways
- Oliva says 1315 Capital targets commercial-stage healthcare businesses with repeat revenue and capital-efficient growth, typically around $15 million to $100 million of revenue.
- She says the firm often serves as first institutional capital, with about 60% to 70% of deals in founder-led companies or carveouts.
- Oliva argues that people and culture are the firm’s main edge, and says she asks whether she would be willing to work for a potential hire.
- She says 1315 avoids facility-based provider rollups and instead leans into pharma, medtech products, outsourcing, and health and wellness.
- Oliva says AI could improve reimbursement, patient monitoring, and FDA submission workflows across healthcare.
- She says exits matter as much as entry points because LPs need capital back, and 1315 tracks DPI closely.
Notable quotes
“I would be very focused on commercially capital efficient business models”
“we do look at other pieces of it. Sometimes it's if there's an opportunity in the first couple of years to maximize return and take money off the table”
“There are so many different factors and then just depth of expertise and really knowing all three of our partners”
“I think I try to stay present. I'm probably more present at home because I really have to focus on it”
How the episode opens
Welcome to the Dakota Live podcast. I'm your host, Robert Morier. The goal of this podcast is to help you better know the people behind investment decisions.
We introduce you to chief investment officers, manager research professionals, and other investment leaders in our industry who will help you sell in between the lines and better understand the investment sales ecosystem. If you're not familiar with Dakota and our Dakota Live content, please check out dakota.com to learn more about our services. Before we get started, I need to read a brief disclosure.
This content is provided forformational purposes and should not be relied upon as recommendations or advice about investing in securities. All investments involve risk and may lose money. Dakota does not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information provided by the speaker who is not affiliated with Dakota.
Not a solicitation, testimonial, or an endorsement by Dakota or its affiliates. Nothing herein is intended to indicate approval, support, or recommendation of the investment adviser or its supervised persons by Dakota. Today's episode is brought to you by Dakota Marketplace.
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Well, this is a very special episode of the Dakota Live podcast. one, we've started classes up again at Drexel University, so it seems like the city has a buzz in the air.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- healthcare growth equity
- scaling healthcare businesses
- capital efficiency
- private equity in healthcare
- mentorship and culture
Companies and tickers mentioned
- BAX
- 1315 Capital
- Baxter
- Apex Partners
Watch the episode
Watch “Scaling Healthcare for Life: A Conversation with Adele C. Oliva of 1315 Capital” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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Dakota Live!, this episode and its artwork belong to Robert Morier. Octagon is not affiliated with the show; this page is an independent summary.
