This partnership between CSS and the EPFL Innovation Park sees the launch of the Future of Health Grant programme, which will enable startups to accelerate their growth with the help of financing and the expertise of industry partners. Any startup delivering a digital health solution is invited to apply by 15 August.
The rise of digital health
Digital health will revolutionise the healthcare system. This innovative sector is at the core of the strategy adopted by health insurer CSS and is one of the main areas on which the EPFL Innovation Park focuses in its mission to effectively support startups in the region. These two institutions have now joined forces to create a financial support programme known as the Future of Health Grant.
The programme aims to boost the development of a range of new digital health solutions, including the creation of connected devices, remote and online treatments, new forms of prevention, and health information and advice. There are numerous benefits, notably shorter time frames, improved diagnostic accuracy, personalisation of medicine, and lower costs. The program will help digital health startups boost their innovation by providing them with the resources and funding they need to progress. The program is designed to be flexible, so that startups can receive the funding they need as they progress through the different stages of their development. This will allow them to retain control of their companies and continue to innovate and grow without diluting their ownership.
Call for digital health projects launched
The Future of Health Grant is aimed at startups that have reached the stage between completion of laboratory research and the Series A round of funding. The support on offer takes many forms including a financial component of up to CHF 50,000 per project for one year, accompanied by a programme of coaching by entrepreneurs and mentoring by healthcare and life science experts.
CSS is committed to supporting early-stage startups as they work to bring their innovative ideas to market. Their grant program is designed to provide financial assistance to startups at three different levels of maturity: idea level, MVP level, and market validation level. Startups can cumulate grants as they move through these levels. A steering committee makes the final decision on grant awards.
The aim of this support is to transform innovative ideas into products and services that sustainably meet the expectations of patients and healthcare providers.
All projects and startups in the field of digital health from all over Switzerland can submit their application until 15 August 2022.
The names of the selected startups will be announced in September.
Details of this call for projects can be found at www.future-of-health.org