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The Munich Startup team visited various virtual events for you in December. In the event section of our 13th podcast episode, we first introduce the SCE's Innovation Cafe. You'll also learn how Wengan, the Accelerator for Bavarian startups in Latin America, helping to develop the market in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
How health startups benefit from the Digital Care Act
For the second time in our Munich Startup Podcast, we're talking about health startups in Munich (starting at minute 4:40). Why are we focusing on this topic again? Because this industry is very strong in Munich. Check the numbers via our Insights dashboard reveals: Currently, 133 startups and scale-ups founded since 2009 (excluding biotech) are listed for Munich. And the total investments in the largest startups alone amount to at least 246.2 million euros over the last ten years – this figure also excludes biotech, otherwise the total would be much higher.
In the first Munich Startup Podcast, we took a broad look at medtech startups, focusing in particular on the solutions they offer for the coronavirus crisis. In our 13th podcast, the first part of the podcast examines startups that have successfully developed and launched health apps. Globally, most of these apps focus on prevention and self-management. Therapy apps are rarer, but that's exactly what many Munich startups offer. Since October 2020, the Digital Health Care Act has allowed doctors to prescribe apps. This is officially called 'digital health applications,' or DiGA for short. The Munich Startup Teleclinic provides an overview, What these are currently, and how to apply for the apps on prescription. If startups want to list themselves, the Diga Innovation Office or a 180-page book called DiGA Vademecum.
Three Munich health apps
There is a wide range of health apps available in Munich. We have selected the ones we present in the Munich Startup Podcast. First, we talk about Kaia Health (from minute 9:08), a health startup that has developed digital therapies for chronic illnesses such as back pain and the chronic lung disease COPD. The startup uses artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision, among other things. The therapies are based on evidence-based treatments for various illnesses, which have been proven through studies. For the future, the company, founded in 2016 and very well-funded, plans to Startup other clinically proven digital therapies, for example for osteoarthritis and Parkinson's disease.
The Munich startup Vitokrates In turn, it supports users in maintaining a healthy lifestyle (starting at minute 12:55). Starting with healthy digestion, it now also focuses on everyday mobility and stress management. The app uses avatars and other gamification elements. The costs of the CE-certified product from the startup, founded in 2018, are covered by health insurance companies.
The third startup in the health app category is Medical Motion (starting at minute 14:45). Founded in 2017 by brothers Sven and Tobias Klimpel, this integrated health companion offers tailored exercises for over 100 different problems. Users receive help with migraines, tinnitus, shoulder pain, heel spurs, and much more. This certified medical device has been reimbursed by various health insurance companies across Europe since the middle of the year.
Virtonomy as approval accelerator
To ensure that the podcast on health startups isn't just about apps, we'll introduce three B2B startups next (starting at minute 17:22). Virtonomy shortens the time to market for medical devices. data-driven, digital studies of virtual patients, the startup founded in 2019 accelerates the approval of medical devices, especially implants.
Two successful health startups with a focus on 3D printing
Following this, we'll introduce you to two 3D printing startups from the healthcare sector. Starting at minute 19:13, we'll talk about Kumovis. Founded in 2017, the startup manufactures 3D production printers with cleanroom integration. A temperature control system and filters allow contamination-free production of, among other things, disposable surgical instruments, cutting templates for complicated surgeries, and even customized implants. The five-person founding team has also received numerous additional funding for various Financing rounds successfully completed.
The last of six health startups we talk about is Mecuris (from minute 22:27). Medtech startup has chosen a specific niche: Founded in 2016, the startup uses 3D printing to produce custom-made prostheses and orthoses, i.e., orthopedic aids such as splints. A digital prosthetics and orthoses workshop went live for this purpose in 2020. This makes the process, which was previously traditionally analog, partially automated and much more efficient. The startup has around 35 employees and has already attracted several investors.
How startups get money from the EIB
In the second part (from minute 25:45) we will introduce you IDnow , which recently received €15 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB). We also talk about who the EIB is. And, most importantly, we try to shed some light on how startups can access EU funding from the European Investment Fund (EIF). The process is quite extensive; in this podcast, we provide an initial overview. The EIB website provides some guidance. There are also direct investments through the investment fund information.
