R2GConnect
News & Insights
Our latest news, insights, and how-to guides for the HealthTech ecosystem.
What Healthtech Founders Often Realize Too Late About DiGA
In this interview, Benjamin Broll, Managing Director at NEXT Munich, shares practical insights from building DiGA products in Germany under strict regulatory and technical requirements. He explains how early compliance decisions, software architecture, and UX design shape development outcomes and influence success in the DiGA Fast-Track process.
AI Mental Health 2026 From an Investor’s Lens: Clinical Infrastructure Wins, Wellness Apps Fade
AI mental health funding hit record levels in 2026, but capital is concentrating sharply. Investors are backing clinician copilots, AI scribes, and hybrid platforms with proprietary data, payer alignment, and clinical evidence. They're walking away from generic LLM chatbots, meditation apps, and voice biomarkers.
EU health plans significantly lag behind their US counterparts in AI adoption
Payer investment in AI has moved beyond the experimental stage, but implementation remains uneven. US payers are several years ahead of their European counterparts, with significantly more advanced deployment across nearly all AI use cases. At the same time, there are substantial differences in prioritization between individual AI use case categories among US and EU payers.
EU HealthTech: Regulation Shapes Market Access
In this interview, Raquel Cunha, Cooperation and Funding Manager at CoLAB TRIALS, discusses how Europe’s HealthTech ecosystem is evolving under increasingly complex regulatory and clinical requirements. She shares insights on how startups can navigate EU frameworks, align with stakeholders, and better structure their path from development to certification.
How to Get to Market Faster Without Breaking Compliance
In this interview, Annika Astola, Head of QA/RA at Innokas, shares how medical device teams can move faster without creating compliance risks by building documentation, regulatory strategy, and design processes in parallel from day one, while also addressing key challenges in validation, manufacturability, and the evolving role of AI in regulated healthtech.
Beyond the Pill Solutions in Pharma: Choosing the Right Vendor to Drive ROI
The term “beyond-the-pill” has become widely used across the pharmaceutical industry, yet its definition remains inconsistent. Vendors position a broad range of digital solutions under this label, making direct comparisons difficult and complicating vendor selection. R2GConnect’s BtP framework addresses this gap with clear categories and best-in-class criteria — enabling structured evaluation and informed partnership decisions.
How Raw Wearable Data Becomes Strategic Insight
In this interview, Friedrich Lämmel, CEO § Co-Founder of Thryve Health, shares how wearable and sensor data are transforming healthcare, enabling continuous, personalized insights, and helping companies turn complex health data into actionable intelligence for digital health, clinical research, and preventive care.
How AI Is Reshaping Consulting Services in Healthtech — and What It Means for Startups
AI is set to have a profound impact on healthtech consulting as well as software and hardware development. Early studies indicate that projects can be delivered faster and with fewer resources. However, key questions remain around the implications for quality, pricing models, and the standardization of services. To better understand these dynamics, R2G has launched a new global survey aimed at capturing industry perspectives and real-world experiences.
Inside Healthtech Funding and Why the Nordics Matter
In this interview, Lilian Zsákai, Business Development Consultant, Targenta Oy shares how healthtech founders can better understand their markets, avoid common investor red flags, approach IP and regulatory strategy, and successfully secure funding while expanding into regions like the Nordics.
How Startups Can Break Into the NHS
In this interview, Tom Bradshaw, accredited Clinical Safety Officer and Founder of BMS Digital Safety, explains how startups can navigate NHS regulations, clinical safety, and digital health standards, and shares practical advice on accelerating adoption, securing funding, and proving real-world impact in the UK HealthTech market.
61% of HealthTech Startups Need External Support—But Current Offerings Fall Short
HealthTech startups depend heavily on external expertise. Regulatory strategy, clinical validation, software architecture, market access, and product design often require capabilities that small teams cannot build internally. Yet despite this dependence, many startups struggle to identify, evaluate, and engage the right service providers.
The Biggest AI Mistakes HealthTech Startups Make
In this interview, Sergiy Sumnikov, General Manager of Halo Lab, discusses how AI is transforming the way digital health products are designed and built, and shares practical advice for startups on avoiding common pitfalls around UX, compliance, and clinical adoption.
Your IP Strategy: The Most Valuable Step Before Raising Capital or Selling
Research consistently shows that startups with a solid IP strategy not only raise significantly more capital but also secure more client contracts and achieve higher valuations when selling their business. The key is to start early—before fundraising rounds or potential exits—and to leverage expert guidance to fully unlock your IP’s strategic value.
Why Wearable Data Becomes Critical as You Scale
In this interview, Jonas Dücker, CMO and COO of ROOK, explains how wearable and sensor data is transforming healthcare from remote patient monitoring to clinical studies and shares practical advice on how startups can integrate, scale, and turn raw data into actionable insights that drive better outcomes and growth.
Drug Companion Apps in Pharma: Choosing the Right Vendor to Drive ROI
Digital drug companion apps are rapidly becoming standard for both new therapy launches and high-value existing products. With over 3,000 drug–app combinations expected in the next four years, selecting the right partner has become a strategic, cross-functional decision.
Turning Intellectual Property Into a Growth Strategy: The WIPO Global Awards
In this interview, Victoria Smaniotto-Piatti, Project Officer at World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), explains how the WIPO Global Awards go beyond prestige to actively help startups and SMEs scale internationally through strategic use of intellectual property.
Breaking into the U.S. Market: Are Accelerators Worth It?
In this interview, Karina Sotnik, CEO of WorldUpstart, explains why successful U.S. healthcare expansion depends on early, integrated strategy, outlines the key challenges international companies face, and shows how a founder-first accelerator model turns market complexity into scalable growth.
R2GConnect Partners with WIPO to Scout Global Innovation for the WIPO Global Awards
Berlin, Germany | Geneva, Switzerland – January 30th, 2026 - _R2GConnect__, the global innovation scouting and partnership builder platform, has partnered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the UN agency for Innovation and Creativity, to support the_ WIPO Global Awards 2026.
The Data Paradox: Why Hospitals Are Drowning in Information but Starving for Insight
Hospitals currently face a dangerous paradox. They possess more patient data than ever before, yet operational blindness is on the rise. Margins are compressing, workforce burnout is at an all-time high, and value-based care penalties are becoming a reality rather than a threat. The bottleneck is no longer data collection; it is data utility.
AI-Enabled Hospital Workflow Automation & Efficiency Tools: The New Operating System for Modern Health Systems
AI is becoming the backbone of hospital operations, optimizing ORs, beds, staffing, supply chains, and admin workflows. These tools cut waste, reduce bottlenecks, and free clinicians from tedious tasks. Hospitals adopting AI-driven automation gain faster throughput, lower costs, and smoother operations — a smarter, leaner operating system for modern care.
AI-Powered Companion Apps: The Emerging Digital Layer in the Patient Journey
Pharmaceutical companies are steadily redefining their role in patient care through digital companion solutions. Once seen as side projects, companion apps are becoming a core part of how pharma engages patients, collects real-world data, and supports long-term therapy outcomes.
R2GConnect and Radical Health Festival Launch “Solution Match” – Precision Matchmaking for Digital Health Partnerships
Berlin, Germany I Helsinki, Finland - November 12th, 2025 - R2GConnect, the world’s largest matchmaking and partnership builder platform for the HealthTech Industry, has partnered with the Radical Health Festival and éditohealth to launch Solution Match, a precision matchmaking service redefining how healthcare stakeholders connect with innovation.
AI-Enhanced Real-World Evidence: Powering Smarter Decisions Across Pharma’s Value Chain
AI is redefining how Real-World Evidence (RWE) supports pharmaceutical decision-making — from early research to market access. By automating data harmonization and extracting insights from diverse real-world data sources such as EHRs, genomics, and wearables, AI turns RWE into a continuous, scalable engine for data-driven decisions. Six solution categories now lead the way in applying AI to evidence generation, regulatory support, and commercial optimization.
Beyond the Pill: How Pharma Supports HCPs Through Digital and AI-Enabled Solutions
Pharma is extending its role beyond the prescription through AI-enabled “Beyond the Pill” (BtP) solutions that make clinicians’ work easier — from patient identification to remote monitoring. The new R2GConnect Pharma Channel - Digital Tools for Pharma to Engage HCPs and Clinics Beyond the Pill invites HealthTech innovators to partner with pharma in co-creating these HCP-supportive, evidence-driven digital solutions.
How AI Is Driving the Reimbursement of Remote Patient Monitoring Solutions
AI is redefining Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), but reimbursement remains the biggest roadblock. While the U.S. leads with CPT codes and France ties payments to outcomes, most regions still lack clear pathways for AI-enabled care. Is AI finally helping RPM Solutions Unlock the Full Potential of the Reimbursed Healthcare Market?
Germany’s DiGA Framework 2025: Still the Gold Standard for Digital Therapeutics
Germany’s DiGA framework in 2025 remains Europe’s benchmark for reimbursed digital therapeutics, combining over one million prescriptions with stricter cybersecurity, evidence, and outcome-based pricing. Despite high regulatory hurdles, DiGA listing still offers startups unmatched credibility, nationwide reimbursement, and a gateway to EU markets shaping the future of digital health.
The New Face of RPM: How AI Is Turning Monitoring into Meaningful Care
AI is redefining Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), turning it from simple data collection into intelligent, predictive care. As the category diversifies, from sensor-based monitoring to clinical analytics and patient engagement, AI is reviving investor confidence and positioning RPM as a key driver of digital health’s next growth wave.
Is AI the Turning Point That Will Redefine Remote Patient Monitoring?
RPM has existed for years, but adoption has been patchy. COVID-19 briefly pushed it forward, but post-pandemic interest faded. Now, AI could be the turning point that transforms RPM from “data collection tools” into a strategic driver of healthcare transformation.
How to Create a Winning Pitch Deck: A Guide for HealthTech Startups
A winning HealthTech pitch deck builds trust, proves market potential, and inspires investor confidence. This guide breaks down the essential slides, best practices, investor psychology, key metrics, and design tips every founder needs, plus how to avoid common red flags. At the end, don’t forget to get your free pitch deck review from Research2Guidance.
Is Applying for Germany’s DiPA Reimbursement Really Worth It?
Germany’s DiPA framework introduces reimbursement for digital care apps supporting independence, dementia, fall prevention, and caregiver relief. Unlike DiGA, no apps are listed yet, but reforms in 2025 aim to ease entry. For HealthTech founders, DiPA offers a first-mover opportunity, though compliance, evidence, and adoption remain key challenges.
Entering the U.S. HealthTech Market: New Acceleration Program on R2GConnect
The U.S. HealthTech market is the world’s largest and fastest-growing, but breaking in is no easy feat. From regulatory hurdles to long sales cycles, startups face steep challenges. This article outlines the pitfalls to avoid, five proven steps for success, and introduces the US Fast Pass Program, a new acceleration program to help global founders navigate US market entry with expert guidance.
How to Drive Medical App Usage: Top 10 Technical Tactics
Most medical and wellness apps face low adoption and poor retention. Barriers often arise from business-model gaps and technical issues such as weak design, complicated onboarding, or missing workflow integration. To turn an app into a scalable health solution, developers need proven UX, UI, and technical strategies from streamlined sign-up flows to personalized notifications and clinical integration. Expert guidance can help ensure your app is not just built, but actively used.
How Longevity Startups Make Money: Most Common Business Models
Longevity is a fast-growing segment in HealthTech, garnering a lot of interest from founders, partners, and investors. Global funding in 2024 alone reached billions, with startups promising to extend healthspan through biomarkers, AI-driven prevention, early detection, geroprotectors, and at-home monitoring. But behind the science lies a question every investor asks: What’s the business model?
The Real Price of Compliance: Unpacking Regulatory Costs for Digital Health Start‑Ups
Building an innovative digital health product is exhilarating. But moving from prototype to clinical deployment means crossing a regulatory minefield that demands time, money, and strategic planning - and a lot of hidden costs.
How the EU AI Act Reshapes Compliance for Medical App Developers.
In this interview, Eric Behrendt from TÜVIT explains how the EU AI Act impacts medical app developers, the challenges they face, and the opportunities compliance can bring. He also outlines timelines, risk levels, and practical recommendations for solution providers preparing their apps for the European market.
330+ Digital Longevity Deals – But Which Category Is the Investors’ Favorite?
Digital longevity has attracted more investors recently, with $8.49 B in 2024 and 330+ deals in 2024. The most money went into Therapeutic Discovery & Geroprotectors digital solutions, whereas most deals has been closed for the Preventive Health & Lifestyle Optimization. Overall, the U.S. investors are the most active.
Taming the Regulatory Jungle: A Founder’s Guide to MedTech Approvals
Digital health entrepreneurs often find that building a prototype is only half the battle; the other half is navigating a labyrinth of regulations. Europe’s MDR/IVDR regime, the U.S. FDA’s evolving guidance on software as a medical device (SaMD) and AI/ML tools, and emerging frameworks in Asia and Latin America all place rigorous demands on start‑ups. This guide offers a high‑level roadmap through the most important steps and timelines, along with practical tips and curated R2GConnect services to accelerate compliance.
Digital Longevity in 2035: What the Market Could Be Worth—and Who Captures It
Digital longevity software, data, and connected devices focused on extending healthspan rather than only treating disease sit at the intersection of digital health, age-tech, diagnostics, and preventive care. The addressable market is big, but what share can the digital longevity solution capture long-term?
The Future of Health Is Personal: Why Digital Longevity Tools Are Winning Investor Heart—and Money
If you think longevity means pills or vague wellness retreats, think again. Today’s longevity revolution is about at-home diagnostics, real-time vitals tracking, and AI-smart habits guiding your everyday. And capital is flooding in—with platforms like R2G Connect even launching a dedicated Longevity Pitching Event to connect startups directly with the investors fueling this shift.
Beyond the Pitch: What HealthTech Startups Want from Partnerships
HealthTech startups are clear about what they need from partnerships, and it’s not just mentorship. To scale innovation, startups need more than a great product. The R2GConnect HealthTech Startup Nation Report (April 2025) reveals a strong consensus: startups are looking for partners who can help them fund, validate, and commercialize their solutions, ideally all at once.
The $1M Revenue Club: What Sets These HealthTech Startups Apart?
While 73% of HealthTech startups generate revenue, only 19% earn more than $1 million annually. So what are these top performers doing differently?
Navigating the Certification of Medical Device Software - Opportunities, Challenges, and Best Practices
What does it take to certify your digital health software? In this interview, Punktum CEO Josua Ziegler breaks it all down from timelines and required documentation to hidden costs, common mistakes, and how to monetize certified software through insurance reimbursement, pharma partnerships, and direct-to-consumer models.
How Hospitals Can Turn Clinical Expertise into Revenue with a Consulting Unit. Interview with Denny Chakkalakal, Head of Operations at CEED
CEED is Charité’s dedicated MedTech consultancy. Its mission is to support medical technology manufacturers and startups in developing innovations that truly work in clinical practice from a medical, regulatory, and operational perspective. In this interview, Denny explains how CEED helps translate clinical expertise into scalable solutions and accelerate time to market, while offering structured access to Charité's infrastructure and professionals.
From First to Next: The Surge of Serial Entrepreneurs in HealthTech
Experience is increasingly defining success in HealthTech. According to the R2GConnect HealthTech Startup Nation Report (April 2025), over half of global HealthTech startups are now led by serial founders-entrepreneurs with at least one prior venture, even if outside of HealthTech.
New R2GConnect Report: Decoding the Market Potential for Service Providers in the Global HealthTech Market
HealthTech startups present a significant market opportunity for service providers, from consultants and developers to regulatory experts. A new R2GConnect report, “HEALTHTECH STARTUPS NEEDS – Decoding the Market Potential for Service Providers in the Global HealthTech Market,” explores what these startups are looking for and how providers can position themselves to meet the demand.
The State of HealthTech in 2025: R2GConnect’s Global Report on 8,600+ Startups
The HealthTech industry is evolving rapidly. To offer a clear view of where it stands today and where it's headed, we've released the HealthTech Startup Nation Report – 2025. Built on exclusive data from R2GConnect and insights from over 8,600 companies across 108 countries, the report delivers a comprehensive snapshot of the global HealthTech landscape.
The Top 10 Hidden Champions: R2GConnect’s Digital Mental Health Companies to Watch
R2GConnect, the world’s largest digital health matching and scouting platform, presents its curated list of the Top 10 hidden champions in digital mental health.
Ensuring Compliance with the EU AI Act: The Crucial Role of Quality Image Annotations
The use of medical images in AI-powered applications is governed by the new EU AI Act. Digital health service providers operating within the EU must adhere to strict quality standards for medical image annotations to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties. What are the options for startups?
Why Healthtech Startups Need a Warm-Intro Phase to Enter a New Market
Startups that want to expand into another market/country are often underestimating the efforts when it comes to adapting their existing business model. To counteract this, experts recommend a "Warm Intro" phase. What is it about?
How to Insure a Smooth IT Outsourcing Transition to a New Medical Software Vendor
Are you wondering if and how you can replace your medical software developer? You have been working with him for years, but are no longer satisfied or do not see the possibility of scaling your application further with him. Here are a few tips and 5. steps on how you can proceed.
Optimizing Biomarker Integration in Digital Health Solutions and Clinical Trials
Biomarkers captured via sensors, patches, watches, rings, etc. are becoming increasingly important for the precise and automated recording of RWD in clinical studies or digital health services. However, many mistakes are made when using them. What are the do's and don'ts when using them?
Top 9 Channels to Find a Service Provider in the Global Digital Health Market
Outsourcing is used often by digital health companies. Companies leverage 9 channels to find third-party service providers, yet, for many, it takes a month or more to find one. A new channel offered by R2GConnect provides access to a pool of service providers and start-up requests in digital health.
How to Have a Perfect Healthtech Investor Pitch
Pitching to strategic investors or VCs is what most healthtech companies strive for. If you get the chance to pitch to investors, you should make sure it's a great pitch. It may be a long time before you get another chance. Easier said than done.
The Top 10 Hidden Champions in the Digital Neurology Market on R2GConnect
The digital neurology market is innovating the traditional treatment of neurological conditions with medical devices, diagnosis solutions, DTx, and self-management platforms. R2GConnect highlights the hidden champions of the digital neurology segment from its extensive database of over 8,400 digital health companies. Discover the Top 10 and connect on the R2GConnect platform.
60% of Digital Health Startups Plan to Outsource Their Medical App Development This Year
Medical app development leads the shopping list of digital health startups this year (60%), followed by cloud (47%) and AI services (43%). The market for providers of technical services for digital health companies has developed strongly in recent years. Service providers can now contact digital health companies by placing offers via R2GConnect.
How to attract investors for your healthtech startup: Practical tips from successful capital raisers
We interviewed and analyzed 491 HealthTech companies on R2GConnect to gather their key tips on attracting investors. About 60-70% of these startups successfully secured external funding. On average, it took them around 5 years to raise the first $5 million.
The Top 10 Hidden Champions in Digital Oncology Market on R2GConnect
The digital oncology market harnesses advanced technologies to drive innovation in drug development, diagnostics, clinical decision support, remote monitoring, and self-management. R2GConnect uncovers the standout innovators in this space, drawing from its comprehensive database of over 8,000 digital health companies. Explore the Top 10 leaders and engage with them on the R2GConnect platform.
Successful fundraising healthtech companies need on average 5 years to raise $5 M
Healthtech companies that have managed to raise money need the most time to raise the first $5M. Afterwards its getting faster.
Diagnostics & detection solutions secure 21% of total external funding between 2015 and 2024
The interest of healthtech investors in certain types of digital health solutions over the last few years shows great differences, as an analysis of R2GConnect members shows.
Shifts in HealthTech Startup Focus: From Diagnostics to Data-Driven Healthcare in a Decade
R2GConnect insights note: A recent R2GConnect database analysis of more than 2300 digital health startups founded between 2015 and 2024, highlights key shifts in new startup solution types in the past ten years. There is a clear connection between market trends and digital health offerings at the time of founding.
Top 10 Hidden Champions in the Digital Obesity & Weight Loss Market
The digital obesity and weight loss market is one of the largest segments of the global digital health market. Partnering with the top brands can become an expensive approach. Often top players are not also flexible enough to match the needs of healthcare partners.
What are the top 10 service areas currently in demand by HealthTech companies?
There are hundreds of thousands of healthtech startups worldwide that use external service providers to grow. Which services will be sought and commissioned in the coming months? A new R2GConnect Insight analysis provides answers.
Heal Capital’s Investor Call on R2GConnect Attracts 73 HealthTech Startups, Igniting Funding Interest
R2GConnect concluded a successful Investor Call with Heal Capital, drawing 73 startup applications and 1,263 views. Heal Capital is offering €1 to €5 million for digital healthcare innovations. The event highlighted R2GConnect’s role in connecting HealthTech startups with investors and simplifying the discovery and analysis of promising solutions.
Two top rated companies Digbi Health and Ciba Health, have recently joined Solera Health's HALO platform
R2GConnect is proud to announce that two of its top 10 hidden champions in the digital obesity and weight loss market, Digbi Health and Ciba Health, have recently joined Solera Health's HALO platform.
In Germany and the UK, successful fundraisers (<$100M) have raised the most funds since 2015
Over half of Europe’s digital health funding is concentrated in Germany (22%), the UK (21%), and France (10%), as highlighted in a recent R2GConnect analysis.