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Omaha, Neb. (October 15, 2025) – CQuence Health, a healthcare strategy and investment company, announced its transition to a 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), effective September 15, 2025.
Founded in 2011 by Mike Cassling, Omaha-based CQuence Health is recognized as a key local and national player in shaping the future of healthcare, providing strategic guidance, professional services and investment capital to emerging B2B companies. The move to employee ownership strengthens the company’s independence and long-term stability while reinforcing its commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for one billion lives.
“This plan is both a celebration of CQuence’s team members and an investment in the company’s future,” said Mike Cassling, founder and Chairman. “It means that instead of selling to an outside buyer, the company is able to preserve its culture of integrity and innovation to keep decision-making rooted here in Omaha, with people who care deeply about our mission and community.”
Under the ESOP, the company’s leadership team and daily operations remain unchanged, providing a seamless experience for its portfolio companies.
“CQuence’s transition to employee ownership reflects Mike’s long-standing values of service to our employees, portfolio and communities we serve,” added Kyle Salem, PhD, CEO of CQuence Health. “Our people now have an even more personal, vested interest in delivering the high quality of service excellence the healthcare industry has relied on us for years to provide. It’s exactly the right plan for succession to continue Mike’s legacy.”
Studies show that employee ownership improves engagement, productivity and retention. For Mike Cassling, the ESOP represents a strategic move to safeguard CQuence’s legacy, empower its employees and deepen its roots in Omaha.
“I’m proud that CQuence will remain locally based in Nebraska, independently operated, and now, owned by our people,” said Mike. “It’s the perfect way to honor the company’s mission and build on its vision for the future.”
About CQuence Health
CQuence Health shapes the future of healthcare by providing strategic guidance, professional services and investment capital to some of the industry’s most innovative start-up companies. CQuence fosters and supports entrepreneurs from bold idea to thriving business venture and everywhere along that sequence, maximizing their impact on patient lives and the community. CQuence Health is selective in its funding approach—supporting strong business ideas that have real potential to reshape healthcare. In addition to capital, CQuence’s strategic guidance ensures entrepreneurs have the business and financial resources to become long-lasting enterprises, leading the charge for a better world. Our holding and portfolio companies also benefit from professional services, such as research, marketing, human resources, accounting and IT support from experts with decades of experience in their respective fields.
Now 100% employee-owned, CQuence continues to provide its healthcare customers with the same tradition of service excellence that defined its success.
