After two months of deliberations, the jury of the NEXT French Healthcare program organized by Business France and Bpifrance, selected 13 French digital health startups. The winning start-ups will benefit from a digital bootcamp, followed by a face-to-face roadshow in the United States and Canada to meet potential partners and investors.
Despite the health crisis and the halt to international travel, Business France and Bpifrance have decided to maintain the 2020 edition of the NEXT French Healthcare program, with applications from more than 20 French digital health startups.
NEXT French Healthcare: the importance of digital health in times of health crisis
Innovation in digital health makes sense in this time of pandemic. The growth and development of medical solutions and devices, such as telemedicine solutions, tools for remote diagnosis or patient monitoring, are among the spearheads in the fight against Covid-19. Through this program, Business France aims to be the driving force behind the HealthTech revolution. Even if the new healthcare markets are estimated to be worth several billion euros, French start-ups in the sector are still struggling to materialize their offers and products due to a lack of available funds and support. It is in this context that the NEXT French Healthcare program is being developed. Its objective is to give visibility to projects, which are real relays for growth, employment and international expansion. Note: This program, which has already accompanied more than 80 companies in previous editions, has enabled more than 50% of the winners to initiate North American collaborations.The excellence of French digital health expertise is investing North America
Business France wishes to bring the excellence of French digital health expertise to the international scene, with the program enabling start-ups to develop in the US and Canadian markets. Thus, the 13 winning startups of the 2020 edition will participate in two complementary events: A digital bootcamp, from June 22nd to July 10th. On the programme: three weeks of collective sessions and in-depth sessions aimed at increasing the start-up's skills on all subjects related to entrepreneurship (regulatory, marketing, communication, fundraising, HR, operations, etc.), enabling it to create a network and benefit from feedback from experts... And a roadshow, organised from 15 to 23 October in the United States and Canada. At the end of the event, more than a hundred business meetings, organized by Business France, aimed at establishing partnerships and introducing the 13 winning startups to potential clients. With its network of sector experts close to local decision-makers and opportunities, Business France is a catalyst for innovation that knows how to connect French companies seeking international expansion and investors seeking excellence. Elsa Rive, Director of the Health Division Business France North America and head of the NEXT French Healthcare program, explains :"The major North American groups are very appreciative of the vitality of French companies in the healthcare sector and are committed with them - particularly through the NEXT French Healthcare program - to innovate. French HealthTech confirms its place among the world leaders, with emblematic startups such as Voluntis, Cardiologs distinguished by the MIT Review, or very promising emerging companies such as Tilak Healthcare and Owkin. As France becomes "startup paradise", a transatlantic programme seems more necessary than ever. French startups are too often too late in thinking internationally. It is necessary to think global from the outset. And for that, there is only one solution when you are a HealthTech company: having a presence in North America".For Bpifrance, supporting innovative French companies internationally is a strategic challenge, with the main objective of enabling them to succeed in establishing themselves on foreign markets in the long term. Paul-François Fournier, Executive Director in charge of Innovation at Bpifrance, points out :
"The US market represents the major and unavoidable market for start-ups in the field of medtech and digital health. The NEXT French Healthcare programme has attracted a large number of very high quality applications for this 2020 edition. It is reassuring to note that the health crisis that we have been experiencing for several weeks has not impacted the interest and enthusiasm of startups for export. The American jury was thus able to select 13 tricolour nuggets. One of the winners, Pixium Vision, is a participation of Bpifrance, which is particularly pleasing to us".