The Challenge of Organ Transplantation in the U.S.

The organ transplant landscape in the United States presents a dire scenario. Over 100,000 individuals currently await transplants, but only approximately 45,000 procedures are conducted each year. Alarmingly, about 28,000 donated organs go unused annually, which contributes to the loss of 16 lives every day due to extended wait times.

Introducing Pulse Charter Connect

Founded in 2022 by Laura Epstein, Pulse Charter Connect is at the forefront of addressing inefficiencies within the organ transport sector. With a background in aerospace engineering, flying, and experience with the Federal Aviation Administration, Epstein recognized the need for a more efficient system while consulting on logistics in aviation. Inspired by her father, who owned an air transport company, Epstein set out to modernize the way organs are transported to those in need.

Innovative Solutions to an Outdated System

Pulse Charter Connect aims to transform organ logistics through the development of automated platforms that connect medical institutions with transportation networks. This innovative approach has been likened to creating an “Expedia for organ transplantation,” focusing on eliminating the inefficiencies that have plagued the sector for years.

Barry Friedman, former executive director of the AdventHealth Transplant Institute and current advisor to Pulse Charter Connect, underscored the importance of real-time tracking in organ delivery. In a 2023 Senate testimony, he remarked, “Everyone can track Amazon or FedEx packages, but there is currently no consistent way to track these salvation organs.” This lack of transparency underscores the critical need for enhancements in logistics regarding organ transplants.

A Shift in the Industry Landscape

In 2024, significant reforms were mandated by Congress, leading to a division of the long-held monopoly by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) on organ transportation logistics. This restructuring has created opportunities for new companies like Pulse Charter Connect to foster advancements and improvements in this life-saving field.

A Champion of Female Entrepreneurship

Laura Epstein’s journey is also significant as it highlights the unique challenges faced by female founders in the male-dominated fields of transportation and technology. Statistics show that investment in women-founded companies has declined, plummeting from 2.8% in 2015 to a mere 0.9% in 2025, according to Pitchbook. Despite these challenges, Epstein leveraged her MBA network and programs like Techstars to secure initial funding and support.

Building Trust and Navigating Hurdles

Epstein faced the dual challenge of navigating gender bias while also building relationships with stakeholders who are accustomed to traditional, manual processes in organ logistics. By prioritizing communication, Epstein has successfully established trust with hospital transplant coordinators, demonstrating the efficacy of Pulse Charter Connect’s platform.

Interestingly, Epstein had to confront personal fears related to blood, giving her a unique perspective on the anxieties surrounding the health sector. Through her engineering background, she learned to approach anatomy with an analytical mindset that parallels her aviation training.

Future Prospects and Funding Success

The traction gained by Pulse Charter Connect has drawn significant interest from investors. Recently, the company concluded a $2 million funding round co-led by Ivy Venture and Simplex Ventures, bringing total funding to $3.3 million. These funds will be utilized to enhance the software platform and expand operations across the United States.