A new ecosystem booster for healthcare start-ups

Education, research, innovative strength, technology – Switzerland would actually offer the ideal conditions for a progressive healthcare system if it wasn’t for its rigid structures and outdated processes. These often prevent exchanges between the different stakeholders, meaning that the existing potential is not exploited to the full. The “Smarter Healthcare” project has set itself the objective of remedying these blocks in the healthcare system and is being initiated by a group of entrepreneurs who have already performed development work in this field within the Swiss Healthcare Startups Association. Stefan Schöbi, Head of Engagement Migros, is convinced: “This will provide the movement that has emerged with the required impetus to create an intelligent and well-coordinated ecosystem for the healthcare sector that goes beyond Switzerland”.
 
Gieri Cathomas, MD and President of the Swiss Healthcare Startups Association (SHS), has clear objectives in mind: “Digital innovations in the healthcare sector need to be identified and advanced across Switzerland. For this reason, the Swiss healthcare system requires the involvement of a neutral and impartial player with an extensive network. Promising and innovation-driven startups in the field of “digital health” are being identified across Switzerland, provided with support with respect to their marketability and, where possible, being anchored nationally and internationally”.

These support programmes for start-ups are planned:

For startups before or shortly after the incorporation: At a closed event potential and new entrepreneurs can get feedback from experts and insiders (physicians, lawyers, representatives of insurance companies and hospitals etc). The goal is to identify stumbling blocks in a very early stage.

For start-ups with an MVP: Twelve selected startups will be brought together with established players in the industry such as Hirslanden, MSD or Sympany with the goal to start potential collaboration.

For early stage start-ups: Ten young companies will be selected to be supported for a year. The program will have similar features as an accelerator program but also take into account that healthcare startups cannot move as quickly as in other fields and therefore take a full year. At the end of this program, the most promising two companies will get selected and invited for a trip to San Francisco where they will be hosted by swissnex San Francisco.