Startupbootcamp introduces Digital Health accelerator in Berlin

Startupbootcamp, a global accelerator group with industry-focused programs, launches its first Digital Health accelerator in Europe today. Startups can apply now to join the dedicated program that provides 10 outstanding teams with guidance and support from health industry network, corporates and investors.

Digital Health startups from all over the world can apply for the 3-month intensive program, starting on 7 November 2016. Each selected team receives €15.000 plus 6 months free coworking office space at Rainmaking Loft Berlin. Exclusive access to the industry focused mentor poo l saves the selected startups up to one year in development time.

The Berlin accelerator team welcomes applications from digital innovators in healthcare and health-related technologies with focus on behavior change, diagnostics and genomics, big data and analytics . Patients benefit through behavior change programs by creating healthy habits which improve their overall wellbeing. The main focus areas can lead to more individually tailored care in doctor-patient relationships, providing scientific data insights that can lead to cost-cutting in health care systems. With support of the strong corporate partners arvato CRM Healthcare , Sanofi in Germany , Munich Health and apoBank , the accelerator creates a unique ecosystem to foster the economic growth of the selected teams.

Digital Health is predicted to grow at the rate of 21.4% from 2015 to 2020. So far, technology has come up with isolated products and services, rather than connected health systems. Challenges for startups are lack of system interoperability, complex regulations, diametric stakeholder interests and lack of seed funding. Startupbootcamp Digital Health Berlin fills this funding gap, and empowers the startups to overcome these challenges to build implementable products and services.

The program is led by Managing Director Juliane Zielonka, a Digital Health entrepreneur with a proven track record in building and running Digital Health products. “ The time is now to combine smart technologies with medical knowledge for best health outcomes. Data-driven startups benefit from exclusive industry insights and the speed our accelerator program gives to teams. This is crucial for their success because t echnology innovation cycles are speeding up exponentially. Agile startups are the enablers creating the initial spark for traditional companies to making money in the Digital Health world, ” explains the Managing Director.

“arvato CRM Solutions is proud to be a partner of the European Digital Health accelerator program of Startupbootcamp. We are convinced that the format will generate a maximum benefit for both the participating startup companies and arvato. Together we want to launch new successful products in the healthcare market,” shares Dr. Jens Härtel, Vice President, arvato CRM Healthcare.

“We always look for new and innovative ways to bring better treatment options to patients. The Digital Health accelerator is a promising chance to combine expertise and to find digital solutions for unmet medical needs,” says Clemens Kaiser, Country Chair Germany at Sanofi.

The German capital Berlin offers an ideal infrastructure to nurture Digital Health startups with its 35 large research institutes and universities focusing on the life sciences, internationally renowned institutions like Europe’s biggest University hospital Charité and its ‘Charite Entrepreneur Summit’. Its 20 Pharma, 230 Biotech and 300 Medtech companies, a vibrant startup scene and access to health care policy makers let Berlin stand out of the crowd. Germany is known for its careful handling of data protection which is an additional quality attribute for the selected startups.

"By connecting experts from our global operations to Berlin to support the startups during the acceleration phase, we get to know trends in Digital Health, introduce solutions in our businesses that add value for our clients and foster innovation culture in Munich Health”, says Dr. Doris Höpke, CEO of Munich Health. “We look forward to supporting some really innovative Digital Health startups as well as getting first-hand insights into the latest trends in the healthcare industry. In addition, being a relatively large organization compared to the startups, we welcome the opportunity to learn from the innovative and flexible processes of these agile businesses,” says Daniel Zehnich, Deputy Head of Health Care Markets and Policy, apoBank.