Who's who in Nordic health innovation
In one sentence
A health venture succeeds only with many others around it: patients, clinicians, payers, investors, programmes, researchers and regulators, and knowing who does what saves you months.
Patients and users have the problem. Talk to them first.
Clinicians, such as doctors and nurses, know how care really works. Many startups invite doctors to an advisory board to get their knowledge and credibility.
Payers decide whether to buy. In Finland that can be a wellbeing services county, a hospital, an employer through occupational health care, an insurer or the person herself.
Universities and research groups create new knowledge and often new companies, called spinouts. Their technology transfer offices help researchers start companies.
Incubators and accelerators help early teams. Some focus on health, like Health Incubator Helsinki. Others are general but accept health ventures.
Funders come in different forms. Public funders such as Business Finland give grants and loans. Angel investors and venture capital funds buy a share of the company.
Regulators check that products are safe. In Finland, Fimea is the authority for medical devices.
Communities and events connect everyone: Slush, Health Design, Junction, student societies and meetups.