In July EIT Health launched a new joint accelerator programme for Swedish start-ups in digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) with support from the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova within the framework of the strategic innovation partnership between Sweden and France.
During 12 months six selected Swedish start-ups specialized in digital health and in artificial intelligence will receive tailor made support from EIT Health experts and through the French and European partner network, access to the French healthcare ecosystem, develop new research and tech collaborations and accelerate their solution on the French market.
Foster new businesses and spur growth
“We want to overcome obstacles to innovation so we can improve healthcare delivery in Europe and make life-changing solutions possible. By working together, we can remove barriers across borders to create a more resilient and dynamic European healthcare system. This accelerator is a great example of how our network can provide the right ingredients to coach entrepreneurs, foster new businesses and spur growth,” says Jean-Marc Bourez Managing Director, EIT Health France.
The inauguration of the accelerator took place at the World’s largest startup campus incubator in Paris, Station F, during the AI for Health Summit on 17 November. The companies was introduced to the French ecosystem and pitched their solutions to a selected committee of over 25 representatives from EIT Health partners including PariSanté Campus, Alcen, Digital Pharma Lab, Fondation de l’Avenir, Medicen and Medtronic.
A strategic innovation partnership between Sweden and France
The accelerator program is implemented within the framework of the strategic innovation partnership between Sweden and France, where both health, AI and digitalization and innovative small and medium-sized companies are among the priority areas for in-depth cooperation between the countries.
“This effort is in line with several of the goals in the Swedish Life Sciences Strategy and is also a good example of what can be obtained within the French Swedish Partnership for Innovation.”
“We are very pleased to see that the accelerator program is now being inaugurated, giving the six selected innovative Swedish start-ups, a unique opportunity to engage with the French innovation and healthcare system. This effort is in line with several of the goals in the Swedish Life Sciences Strategy and is also a good example of what can be obtained within the French Swedish Partnership for Innovation,” says Jenni Nordborg, National Life Sciences Coordinator, Government Offices of Sweden
Sweden has a growing ecosystem of AI and digital health start-ups. Sweden invests three percent of GDP in research and innovation. Healthcare and medicine are one of the top industries implementing the use of AI. The technology-friendly population, qualified researchers, a culture of innovation and research, and the presence of tech unicorns and multinationals offer a high capability of welcoming AI and new technology.
“The French Government will dedicate EUR 1.5 billion to develop AI by the end of 2022, including EUR 700 million for research.”
With 82 laboratories, 268 research teams and 5,300 researchers, France is already one of the most dynamic European countries in AI R&D and many opportunities open up for cooperation with the French government to create a more efficient healthcare system, using AI-based solutions. The French Government will dedicate EUR 1.5 billion to develop AI by the end of 2022, including EUR 700 million for research.
The six start-ups
The selected companies are:
Acorai AB: The company has developed a non-invasive intracardiac pressure monitoring device to help reduce heart failure (HF) re-hospitalisations.
Deversify: The company develops and commercializes mobile electronic devices and apps to monitor biomarkers for individualized health, specializing in breathalyzers and personalized nutrition.
INFRION AB: Via a web portal (SaaS) the company delivers all the components needed to run a testing clinic, interfacing with labs, health authorities and patients.
Minnity: The company improves caregiving skills through short, interactive digital training and enhances the working environment through a personalized care tool with care team collaboration features.
Walkbeat AB: The company has developed the world’s first easy-to-use tool to monitor, track and accurately analyze gait in any environment such as clinic or daily life for areas such as orthopedics, post-stroke rehabilitation, mobility disorders and sports injuries.
Worldish AB: The company has developed a digital and multilingual communication and work assistant called Helen that can be used within healthcare between caregiver and patient.
Read more about the selected the companies and the programme in our upcoming issue of Nordic Life Science magazine – out Jan/Feb 2022.
Group photo: Christina Bergstrand/EIT Health
