Novy, a Cedar Rapids-based health care venture studio, has entered the creation stage of its first portfolio company, a software platform aimed at improving shift scheduling for emergency medicine groups.
The venture studio firm, launched in 2023, said the venture will address longstanding inefficiencies in emergency department staffing, an area often managed by outdated tools that contribute to burnout and administrative strain, since emergency departments never close.
The software, now in early development, is being designed specifically for emergency providers working across multiple sites.
“A well-designed schedule does more than fill shifts,” said Krista Martin, Novy partner and CEO of the new venture. “It supports provider well-being, aligns with departmental goals, and relieves unnecessary administrative burden.”
Novy’s platform will offer features including preference-based scheduling, automated equitable shift assignment, and built-in tools for intelligent shift trades. The company said the platform is intended to increase transparency and trust between providers and schedulers.
“We’re not just building another scheduling app, we’re creating a new infrastructure for how emergency medicine groups operate and grow,” Ms. Martin said.
Novy’s first entry into the creation stage includes forming the legal entity, refining the product direction, and preparing for market entry. Ms. Martin said Novy aims to launch only one or two companies per year to ensure focused development and long-term impact.
Over the next 90 days, the venture team will finalize its minimum viable product, gather insights through its Provider Feedback Network, and begin pilot programs with three to five independent emergency medicine groups.
Participating practices are expected to range from four to 12 sites and include 20 to 100 providers. Groups involved in early testing will receive access to MVP features and a three-month pilot of the software at no cost.
“We’re not just here to sell, we’re here to build something impactful through cutting edge technology,” Ms. Martin said.
Novy is targeting a formal product launch later this year, with more details and a brand reveal coming soon.
To learn more about joining the Provider Feedback Network or piloting the new platform, contact Ms. Martin at [email protected]
