Helsinki, Finland (PRWEB) November 10, 2015 -- SLUSH Conference - StartUp Health, a global health innovation company with the world’s largest portfolio of digital health companies, today announced the launch of StartUp Health Finland in partnership with Finpro’s Team Finland Health growth program. The partnership will further both organizations’ missions, to grow and scale the next generation of businesses and strengthen Finland’s position as a digital health leader. StartUp Health Finland will focus on coaching and supporting the emerging ecosystem of Finnish entrepreneurs and integrating them directly into StartUp Health’s global platform to provide ongoing access to investors, expertise and commercialization opportunities around the world.
StartUp Health Finland will co-locate in the Health Innovation Village at GE in Helsinki’s ‘Silicon’ Vallila district and host regular programming and community events for entrepreneurs, innovators and healthcare transformers. To kick off, StartUp Health Finland will select five Finnish health tech startups to invite into the StartUp Health Academy, a long-term entrepreneurial coaching program and community designed to scale and grow early stage health tech companies.
“We’re thrilled to launch StartUp Health Finland and partner with Team Finland Health, Finpro and the entire community of corporate leaders and health organizations to help build the global ecosystem of Healthcare Transformers,” said Steven Krein, co-founder and CEO of StartUp Health. “Finland is a healthcare pioneer and has the unique ingredients required for groundbreaking digital health innovation to thrive: cutting edge health innovation, mobile and digital leadership, a collaborative environment and a growing entrepreneurial energy.”
Finland has long been recognized for technological innovation dating back to the founding of Nokia, Suunto, Polar and more recently through the launch of Rovio Entertainment, Jolla, Beddit and Supercell. Driving one of the world’s most progressive healthcare environments has been significant investments in infrastructure, R&D, and innovation initiatives, and support for companies and university spin offs; all to further advance Finland’s burgeoning position as a leading digital health country.
“One of the challenges for young entrepreneurs in Finland is getting access to global commercialization opportunities and investors around the world. The collaboration with StartUp Health will bridge this gap,” said Eero Toivainen, Program Director of Team Finland Health / Finpro.
“StartUp Health is a global leader in building early stage healthcare companies, and is the only platform with a long-term plan, which is why we’re incredibly excited to welcome StartUp Health to Finland. Together we can build one of the world’s great countries for personalized health and make it easier to share our innovations with the rest of the world,” said Nora Kaarela, Head of Health Industry / Finpro.
“We believe that by connecting the nation’s amazing entrepreneurs into StartUp Health’s global program and our network around the world, we can make a significant impact on transforming healthcare,” said Unity Stoakes, co-founder and president of StartUp Health. “While we are starting by helping build 5 Finnish startups, the goal is to eventually help build 100 or more Finnish health tech companies and create one of the world’s leading health innovation hubs that will serve as a model for other communities.”
StartUp Health Finland will provide selected entrepreneurs access to a multi-year program that includes:
- direct access to StartUp Health’s global platform including StartUp Health Academy, StartUp Health Network and Healthcare Transformer peer community
- ongoing coaching and mentoring in Finland and the US
- market access to key US and global healthcare stakeholders including StartUp Health’s global network of 30,000 investors, customers and experts
- a collaborative network that includes Team Finland Health and Finpro infrastructure co-working space in the Health Innovation Village at GE
- a pathway for startups from around the globe to leverage Finland as a world-class test bed for digital health innovation
For more information or to apply visit StartUpHealth.com/Finland.
About Finpro
Finpro is a Finland´s Trade and Investment Promotion Agency whose mission is to help Finnish businesses grow internationally, encourage foreign direct investment in Finland, and promote tourism. Finpro manages major national projects including Team Finland Health, Cleantech Finland and Future Learning Finland. Finpro’s three divisions: Export Finland, Visit Finland, and Invest in Finland assist Finnish and foreign companies to connect and growth in partnership. As a public organization and part of the Team Finland network, Finpro now has offices in over 40 countries. Learn more at finpro.fi.
About StartUp Health
StartUp Health is a global health innovation company. The StartUp Health Platform, including its Academy, Network and Innovation Fund, is empowering a global network of entrepreneurs and innovators to transform healthcare. With more than 117 companies, StartUp Health has the world’s largest portfolio of digital health companies from 11 countries and 55 cities. StartUp Health was founded in 2011 by Steven Krein and Unity Stoakes and is chaired by former Time Warner CEO, Jerry Levin. StartUp Health’s notable strategic partners and investors include AARP, AON, Aurora Health Care, California Healthcare Foundation, Steve Case, Cleveland Clinic, Conifer Health Solutions, Mark Cuban, Esther Dyson, Roger Ehrenberg, Brad Feld, GE Ventures, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, SeventySix Capital and Stericycle. Learn more at startuphealth.com.
Press Contact, StartupHealth
Michelle Peters
Sloane PR
MPeters(at)sloanepr(dot)com
212-446-1889
Press Contact, Finpro
Nora Kaarela
Head of Health Industry
nora(dot)kaarela(at)finpro(dot)fi
358-400-897 020
Press Contact, Finpro
Eero Toivainen
Program Director
eero(dot)toivainen(at)finpro(dot)fi
358-40-343 3379
Michelle Peters, Sloane & Company, 212-446-1889, [email protected]
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