Philippa Köhnk
Healthcare Start-ups – A European Perspective
Europe’s health ecosystem is transforming fast: AI diagnostics, remote monitoring, and digital therapies are reshaping care—while aging populations and workforce shortages demand resilience and new operating models. Start-ups sit at the center of this shift, translating science into services and accelerating innovation across clinics and care homes.
The European healthcare market is dynamic, resilient, and full of promise.
Founding activity and investment are rising—Germany alone saw ~300 new health start-ups in 2024 and €958 million raised—yet Europe still trails the U.S. in funding ($2.8B vs. $11.7B). Structural strengths are real (education, high regulatory standards, deep research), but founders face persistent hurdles: access to capital and certification as a prerequisite for investor confidence. The strategic path forward is clear: harmonize rules, strengthen collaboration, and channel more capital into science-based DeepTech so Europe’s promise converts into scaled, exportable solutions.
When Momentum Meets a Funding Gap:
Why Europe Must Convert Potential into Scale
What you’ll learn
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How AI, big data, and biotech are accelerating a shift toward personalized, preventive, and digitally delivered care
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Why access to venture capital and certification remain the biggest hurdles for European founders
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What policy and ecosystem moves—harmonized regulation, capital access, industry–research collaboration—are needed to scale
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Where concrete start-up examples (Dubidoc, Ichó, VitrofluidiX) already relieve staff burden, advance research, and improve care
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Which structural advantages position Europe to lead—world-class education, quality benchmarks, and DeepTech roots
Philippa Köhnk is Member of the Executive Board at the startup and innovation hub BRYCK. In her role as market lead health, she is responsible for programs to accelerate HealthTech start-ups through access to capital and industry. Philippa draws on 15+ years of experience in entrepreneurship and innovation management and has been a mentor in various incubation and acceleration programs. She provides support with her expertise in topics such as business model definition, market entry, early-stage financing, etc.
About the Author
Philippa Köhnk
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