They’ve moved therapists and patients in front of a computer screen, increasing access to therapy and mental health support—without losing its effectiveness. This is how the company Trzymsie.pl was born.

One of the proven and extensively researched methods of therapy, including treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and even addictions, is cognitive behavioral therapy. It is recommended as a form of psychological support by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). What does it involve in practice? In this therapeutic approach, psychologists and patients work together to uncover connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. While this scientific approach has nothing to do with wishful thinking, it is based on the belief that how we interpret a situation matters more than the situation itself, and our negative thought patterns can be destructive.

While Freudian psychoanalysis focuses on the unseen, sometimes even forgotten, issues like early childhood problems, cognitive behavioral therapy addresses the here and now, focusing on the thoughts that accompany current experiences. There’s no lying on a couch or trying to break through the subconscious. Increasingly, there’s no in-person therapy session in a traditional office, either.

In 2010, Piotr Chełchowski, the founder of Trzymsie.pl, began efforts to support mental health. Initially, the team focused on a social network dedicated to people facing mental health challenges. Stories shared by others with similar problems were intended to provide support and foster solidarity, rather than the loneliness often experienced with depression. Supported by Jagiellonian University, the project expanded to include educational and awareness-raising activities at a time when “seeing a psychologist” or even thinking about mental health was still uncommon, even stigmatized.

Without Shame and with Ease

Drawing on the experiences of hundreds of individuals who shared their mental well-being journeys through the social network, the project’s creators decided to transform it into a more direct form of support. They created Trzymsie.pl—a place where help is accessible. One of the motivations behind launching an online therapy platform was the desire to increase accessibility. While urban areas often offer plenty of options for psychological help (though scheduling can sometimes be a challenge), online support is often the only way to access a specialist in smaller towns or rural areas. This approach gained particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person visits became impossible, yet more people than ever were experiencing stress-related crises.

Another significant factor was shame. Online therapy allowed people to access services without the fear of “exposure” that might come with walking into a physical office. This was particularly important in smaller communities where being labeled due to mental health struggles can be deeply stigmatizing.

Only Effective Methods

What sets Trzymsie.pl apart from other platforms connecting therapists and patients? First and foremost, its exclusive focus on a single therapeutic approach and the recruitment of competent practitioners in this field. Why this strategy? Numerous studies show that this form of therapy is not only effective and long-lasting (with research tracking patients’ conditions six or twelve months post-therapy) but can also be successfully delivered online. According to The Lancet, findings from 17 studies confirm that online behavioral therapy was more effective than traditional cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing the severity of depression symptoms. At the same time, no significant differences were observed in participants’ satisfaction levels between the two approaches.

“Trzymsie” Means Stay Strong!

I wholeheartedly support the continued growth of this project, which I’ve highlighted in my Health Tech of the Week series, primarily for matching the method to the problem and not diluting efforts across multiple actions or approaches. Currently, around 70 therapists collaborate with the platform, reaching people who might not have otherwise sought help.

On November 27, 2024, Warsaw’s Capitol Theatre hosted the grand finale of the third edition of the Mother and Child Startup Challenge—one of the most significant events in the med-tech industry. Organized by the Mother and Child Institute in collaboration with partner hospitals, the initiative aims to promote innovation in women’s and children’s health while fostering knowledge exchange between the medical and tech sectors.

Polish Innovation Takes the Spotlight

The top prize, a pilot implementation in partner hospitals, was awarded to UES – Ultra Echo Scan. This groundbreaking system, based on SaaS technology, supports fetal and neonatal diagnostics by enabling the early detection of congenital heart defects (CHDs) during ultrasound examinations. The jury highlighted its scalability and low implementation cost, which could make it a global standard in neonatal screening.

– Innovative AI algorithms significantly facilitate the work of medical personnel. AI is already used for imaging studies and data organization, but it increasingly supports diagnostic processes as well. The winning project’s simplicity and intuitiveness are major strengths. Preliminary pulse oximetry screening, supplemented by the UES examination, allows for a quick and comprehensive check for congenital heart defects in newborns. I am confident it will greatly improve the speed of detecting defects and initiating appropriate treatment – emphasized Dr. Tomasz Maciejewski, Director General of the Mother and Child Institute.

Audience Award and Special Mentions

This year introduced a new feature: a public audience award. Online voters chose neendu, a home health monitoring system for newborns, designed to detect early signs of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Organizers and partners also recognized several promising projects: Uhura Bionics, Semi Robotics, SynDiag, Aptamedica, and FunkBIOTICS, providing them with mentoring support and various awards, such as cloud computing credits, expert consultations, and business mentorship. Key sponsors included EIT Health, OVHcloud, Consonance, and WKB Lawyers.

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Creating World-Class Innovations

This year’s edition welcomed innovators not only from Poland but also from the USA, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. Submitted projects spanned a wide range of topics, from medical diagnostics to modern healthcare facility management. Experts in medicine, biotechnology, management, and investment assessed the submissions for their innovation, practical potential, and impact on clinical practice. The high competition level made selecting a winner particularly challenging, organizers noted. For the first time, the finale was open to the public, with online registration enabling attendees to watch finalist presentations and participate in discussions on the future of healthcare.

The Mother and Child Startup Challenge is more than a contest; it is a platform for technologies that can redefine healthcare standards. Both the winning projects and the finalists hold the potential for practical application in clinical settings, improving diagnostics and treatment in Poland and worldwide. The third edition’s finale showcased the vast opportunities that arise from the synergy between medicine and modern technologies, while post-event discussions highlighted areas for further development. Congratulations to all the winners—we eagerly anticipate more groundbreaking innovations in future editions!

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The „Health Tech of the Week” initiative was created to promote interesting Polish and international solutions that have the potential to revolutionize the medical market, and in doing so, impact the health and comfort of thousands of people. A similar idea inspires the creators of the Institute of Mother and Child’s „Mother and Child Startup Challenge.”

The Mother and Child Startup Challenge is a prestigious international competition organized by Poland’s Institute of Mother and Child in cooperation with hospitals. It connects public healthcare entities with the private sector to revolutionize medical services. The initiative aims to promote creativity and support the development of innovations in the area of women’s and children’s health. In this edition, 51 companies from around the world are competing for the opportunity to implement their innovative ideas in six public hospitals in Poland. The submitted innovations focus on diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of women’s diseases and pregnancy-related conditions, as well as in every area of pediatrics. Solutions aimed at improving hospitals’ administrative and organizational processes were also submitted.

The initiative’s goal is not only to highlight the best ideas and support their creators but also to seek solutions to the many problems and challenges faced by the healthcare system. In previous editions, participants addressed issues such as information overload, staffing shortages, too short consultation times, and common health problems such as cervical cancer, depression, and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.

Participants present their revolutionary ideas and products to prominent medical authorities and business experts. For startups, this is a unique opportunity to gain financial support, mentorship, and to grow their business. For larger companies, it is a chance to test their solutions in a real hospital environment.

Participants are competing not only for the prize of having their innovations implemented in operational hospitals but also for substantive and material support. The competition also provides the opportunity to build valuable business connections and gain new skills.

After learning about innovative projects aimed at improving care for mothers and their children, I was impressed by the growth in this sector and the opportunities it offers. After several months of analyzing the submitted projects, the jury has selected 10 of the most promising innovations, which I am excited to present on this blog.

Aptamedica 

The goal of this startup is to create a universal analyzer for personalizing complex therapies, including the treatment of sepsis in intensive care units.

The analyzer allows for fast, inexpensive, and precise measurement of sepsis markers and drugs at the patient’s bedside. It also enables real-time monitoring of administered drugs, increasing treatment efficiency and minimizing the risk of severe complications.

EFM 

EFM has created „Mudisocard,” a measurement system that allows for expanded ECG diagnostics. Thanks to this device, doctors can quickly and comprehensively assess a patient’s heart and lung condition non-invasively.

Through telemedicine analysis based on proprietary algorithms, the system enables immediate detection of comorbidities, such as COPD or heart failure.

“Mudisocard” registers three signals from the human body: 3D ECG (vectorcardiography), 3D bioimpedance, and chest auscultation (sound signal).

FunkBIOTICS 

The company FunkBIOTICS has created „KARVADERM” – an antiseptic dressing in the form of a hydrogel membrane. It utilizes natural substances like carvacrol and thymol, providing effective antibacterial protection, and chitosan, which stimulates wound healing.

The product is intended mainly for the treatment of hard-to-heal and infected wounds but can be used wherever accelerated healing is needed, such as postoperative wounds or in aesthetic medicine.

MEDVOICE 

MEDVOICE is not just a diagnostic tool but a comprehensive platform that supports doctors in improving care quality and minimizing the risk of medical errors.

The platform enhances communication between the doctor and patient and reduces the time spent on administrative tasks. Additionally, it offers functionalities such as treatment plan recommendations, drug prescriptions, test orders, ICD-10 coding templates, real-time transcription, visit summaries, and integration with EHR systems.

NanoCarbon Group 

NanoCarbon Group has developed CardioGuard™, a nano-ECG shirt that enables continuous and precise monitoring of the cardiovascular parameters of both the mother and fetus. With CardioGuard™, pregnant women can be continuously monitored without frequent hospital visits, significantly improving their comfort and safety.

The benefits include: precise and stable monitoring of health parameters akin to Holter monitoring, comfortable use during daily activities and physical rehabilitation, and integration with cardiomonitors and other ECG systems available on the market.

Omnidermal Biomedics

Omnidermal has developed „WoundViewer,” the first fully automatic, portable device for precise measurement and clinical classification of chronic wounds. The device automatically measures the wound in 3D, classifies it using three different clinical scales (WBP, TIME, and TEXAS), and detects infection using thermal imaging.

Additionally, the device includes a complete digital clinical folder and an API system that enables integration with hospital IT systems.

Semi Robotics 

Semi Robotics’ flagship product is FIDI, an automated feeding robot designed to provide greater independence to people who have difficulty eating on their own. Powered by artificial intelligence, FIDI adjusts to the individual needs of users.

It stands out for its full autonomy and user-friendly touchscreen interface. The robot responds to the growing demand for devices that support the elderly and disabled.

SynDiag 

SynDiag has developed OvAi, a medical device software powered by artificial intelligence aimed at the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. OvAi consists of OvAi Focus, which detects ovarian cysts in ultrasound images, and OvAi X, which aids differential diagnosis using virtual biopsy technology. OvAi X predicts the exact histological class of a tumor, providing essential information for treatment.

OvAi X has been clinically validated in 500 cases, showing 79% accuracy in predicting histological classification, compared to 77% achieved by gynecologists in the same study.

Ultra Echo Scan 

UES is a SaaS software for analyzing diagnostic ultrasound recordings. It analyzes three basic projections and automatically detects the probability of congenital heart defects in newborn echocardiograms, indicating the presence or absence of CHD.

It is AI-powered with machine learning, offering scalability potential for newborn screening globally at low implementation costs.

Uhura Bionics

Uhura Bionics’ mission is to combat social exclusion and restore communication capabilities with innovative solutions such as VOXFLOW AI, an advanced voice amplifier powered by artificial intelligence that enhances and amplifies the user’s speech in real-time, enabling free communication even in cases of complete voice loss.

The solution is dedicated to individuals with atypical speech, such as those with voice disorders, laryngectomy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or Down syndrome.

We will learn who the winner of this edition is in a month. However, all these initiatives are worth highlighting and presenting to a wider audience. I look forward to following their further development and achievements in the coming years.

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Stay tuned to the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we will explore more fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you are leading an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or would like to recommend an interesting solution, feel free to contact us at: [email protected].

I invite you to read the second part of the conversation with Aleksander Kłósek from the Venture Capital fund YouNick Mint. This time, the expert shared what makes Polish start-ups stand out on the international scene and what factors influence investors’ decisions.

YouNick Mint is one of the few Polish funds that invests in MedTech and BioTech companies, where regulations add an extra layer of risk. How do you approach this?

In MedTech companies, in addition to the numerous risks related to business, market, technology, and the founding team (common in most early-stage projects), there is another critical factor: regulatory risk. The procedures in this area are well-defined by both national and international regulatory bodies, such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since this sector only began to develop in Poland after the political transformation, there is a shortage of specialists with expertise in this area, often necessitating support from international experts. When these experts are external advisors rather than part of the team, the cost of involving them in the project can be very high. The option of case-by-case engagement is often insufficient for effective goal realization within the organization. Therefore, all regulatory actions must be planned from the very beginning. The company should anticipate at what stage of development it will need additional expertise, where to find it, and how much funding will be required for this purpose.

Do you support start-ups in finding regulatory specialists?

Yes, we both raise awareness of these issues among start-ups and assist them in finding the right specialists. We encourage entrepreneurs to identify gaps in competencies, both in technology and regulation. A „gap analysis” is especially important to „know what you don’t know” and what might become a challenge so that it can be addressed in advance. It is crucial to ensure that these aspects do not hinder the further development of the venture.

What operational support do you offer to start-ups?

We engage in various aspects, from corporate and legal support to HR areas, to finding partners and advisors in different parts of the project. We use our experience to provide solutions and support entrepreneurs in making strategic decisions. Based on our many years of experience, we can often suggest certain solutions that have worked in similar circumstances. However, the role of the team in decision-making is always crucial. An „all-knowing” investor rarely contributes positively to a company – it is the management and founders, not the fund’s representative, who should know the most about the business and have a vision for its future. From a start-up’s perspective, the most important thing is that the investor does not interfere with business operations (laughs) while offering support where it is needed.

What is the significance of public support for the development of MedTech and HealthTech start-ups in Poland?

We are currently at a point where medical projects are highly demanding and time-consuming to implement. As a result, many investors prefer to invest in areas such as IT or marketplaces, which, in their early stages, still carry high business risk but are not affected by a complex regulatory environment. Therefore, to encourage private capital by limiting risk, public sector support for innovative ventures is crucial. In other regions of the world, both in Europe and the United States, public support is well-developed. Various grants and other initiatives backed by government institutions or NGOs support technology development. Currently, there is a funding gap in Poland, especially for early-stage companies. Programs like Bridge Alfa, which ran from 2016 to 2023, helped finance many innovative pre-seed/early-stage projects. However, obtaining financing for innovative companies is now more challenging. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that market-attractive ventures, led by experienced and determined founders, can effectively attract capital from private investors – either funds or business angels.

What sets Polish start-ups apart from foreign competitors?

I believe a significant factor is the difference in access to capital, especially compared to medical or biotech companies in the United States and Western Europe. The BioTech and MedTech industries are very capital-intensive. However, the need to manage more modest resources makes Polish start-ups more cost-effective and resourceful in finding solutions. Large international companies often „scratch their heads” when they see the results achieved by Polish companies with relatively low investments. Another advantage is the still lower labor costs in Poland, which applies to both hiring highly qualified specialists and, for example, conducting clinical trials. The skills and capabilities of Polish researchers in conducting clinical trials are very high, and the experience of research centers matches the best in the world.

What are the opportunities and challenges for MedTech and HealthTech start-ups?

A massive growth driver at the macro level is an aging population and rising incomes in societies, which translates into greater possibilities and higher expectations for quality healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the importance of health. One of the main challenges is the shortage of healthcare professionals, making technologies that streamline their work (from relatively simple solutions that enhance administration to advanced AI-based diagnostic support systems) „worth their weight in gold,” alongside the development of new therapies, drugs, and vaccines. The implementation of innovation can significantly improve the availability of services and the quality of treatment, meeting the growing needs of an aging global population.

I also heartily encourage you to read the first part of the interview: When Team Competence Matters More Than the Idea: What MedTechs Do Investors Choose?

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Stay tuned for more in the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].

So far in our Health Tech of the Week series, I have focused on showcasing innovative Polish startups operating in the medical industry. In the second edition, we are expanding our scope to include the investor’s perspective, which is extremely important for growing companies seeking external funding. Aleksander Kłósek from the YouNick Mint Venture Capital fund talks about what makes a startup stand out to secure financing.

What sets YouNick Mint apart from other funds?

Very often, fund managers come from consulting, strictly financial, or grant acquisition backgrounds. In our case, we are a team with rich entrepreneurial and business experience in various industries—development, pharmaceuticals, and IT. Moreover, we’ve been working together in the field of capital investments for over eight years, which allows us to understand our areas of expertise and allocate our time appropriately to different projects. Each new venture that comes to us is evaluated primarily in terms of its value proposition for customers, its business model, and how well it fits into market realities. Simply put, we think about how the solution addresses existing market problems, who will want to use it, and under what circumstances they’ll be willing to pay for it. We look for solutions that have an advantage embedded in the product/technology, rather than focusing on ventures where the key element of success depends on operational efficiency/execution (such as marketplaces). One of the few Polish VC funds, we are particularly interested in MedTech and BioTech projects. In addition to the business risks typical of other sectors, these require addressing challenges in the clinical and regulatory areas. Specialized knowledge is often necessary, taking into account nuances and dependencies that must be adapted to in the business development strategy. In the BioTech and Pharma segments, it’s also important to understand that the product development cycle is not only complex and costly but also very long (requiring a lot of investor patience! 🙂 However, this patience often pays off—our experiences and successes, especially exits from SmartPharma, PozLab, and Heart Sense, show that investor returns can be very favorable. Our understanding of the sector and solid grounding in this area certainly distinguishes us within the local ecosystem.

What are the main criteria when evaluating medical startups as potential investment targets?

I don’t think what I’ll say will be particularly surprising, but it’s a point so important that it’s worth emphasizing—the team is key. Some investors still place the main emphasis on technology, but at YouNick, we are increasingly inclined to seek the most motivated, experienced, and complementary team in terms of skills. The development of medical technologies is associated with many challenges, not only business or technological but also regulatory, which requires an understanding of the healthcare system, the needs of patients, clinicians, and all market participants. A competent team that can navigate the complexities of many fields is always a good indicator of a company’s success. The second criterion is, of course, the technology or other core innovation that carries potential market advantage. This is especially important for young organizations—startups that cannot compete on price or scale with established market leaders with vast human and financial resources. If we find an attractive niche and possess unique technology, especially one that we can protect with patents or know-how, we have a chance to build a competitive business or product that will quickly gain market traction or appear on the radar of large corporations’ M&A departments.

And the third criterion?

The third criterion is unmet market needs. In the case of medical technologies, we are almost always dealing with a multi-billion-dollar market (globally), where there is constant demand for innovative solutions. Even relatively niche markets (such as rare diseases) are attractive because the cost of therapy is high, especially for „first in class” or „best in class” products. The biggest challenge is immense international competition. Finding a niche substantial enough for the project to build sufficient value and get on the radar of large MedTech or BioTech companies is key to achieving a successful exit for founders and investors. It’s important to remember that what may be a profitable business for the founders may not always meet the expected return on investment for funds.

Does only a large, structurally mature startup stand a chance of obtaining funding?

A fund invests in ventures that have the potential to achieve returns commensurate with the level of risk taken. The fund’s profile determines at which stage it is ready to engage capital. Through the Bridge Alpha by YouNick Mint vehicle, we invested smaller amounts (up to one million PLN) in projects at very early stages of development, sometimes at the concept or initial prototype phase. Often, the team was just forming around the venture based on promising research results or an interesting idea. Investments at such an early stage are often aimed not so much at building a business in the traditional sense but at validating research or product hypotheses within the framework of a Proof of Concept. The assumption should be that among these projects, some will turn out to be „dead ends” and will be closed sooner or later. However, among them, there will be real gems, which after being „polished through subsequent investments,” will develop into full-fledged and profitable businesses. There are more and more such examples in Poland. Through Open Innovation by YouNick Mint (a fund implemented as part of the PFR Ventures program), we invested at later stages of development—in companies that were already generating revenue or had advanced product development. The VC market is open to ventures at various stages of development.

Does the founders’ experience in medical practice matter to you from an investment perspective?

Some teams are stronger technologically, while others were created by practicing physicians and therefore have stronger medical competencies. We neither prefer nor discriminate against any particular team. We want to understand the project’s context well and be convinced that the team operates effectively. Among our portfolio companies, we have individuals who had strictly entrepreneurial backgrounds in other industries. An example is Prosoma, which develops digital therapies supporting the mental health of oncology patients. The founder did not come from the medical world but built a great team that combines the necessary competencies and thoroughly understands the specifics of the field they operate in. On the other end of the spectrum was Heart Sense—a company developing unique solutions to assist surgeons during „bypass implantation” procedures. The innovator is an active cardiac surgeon who identified, based on his own practice in the operating room, the gaps that needed to be addressed to make procedures more effective and safe. Business knowledge and competencies came with time, in the course of executing the project. The risk of failure certainly increases when the founder or group of founders has a narrow (often very specialized) skill set and simultaneously wants to be the „sail, rudder, and ship.” It’s necessary to first acquire external knowledge and then build the right team. The days of Leonardo da Vinci are long gone—it’s impossible to be the „alpha and omega” in everything. Especially in MedTech and BioTech, which diverge from the stereotypical startup vision where all that’s needed for a great venture is a good idea and tech expertise. Here, a team of people who can „deliver” across all areas is needed, as well as a team that is open to and active in change.

YouNick Mint is an investment team managed by business practitioners from Healthcare (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, innovative materials, and medical products) and Industry 4.0 (especially material technologies, ICT, RPA, PropTech), who have been working together for years. Since 2012, the fund has invested in early-stage innovative projects and supports them with the expertise of its specialists. Over this period, YouNick has invested in nearly 50 companies through four funds, completing several exits. One of its recent investments is the Krakow-based biotech company nCage Therapeutics, which is working on next-generation vaccines. Other investments include Prosoma, bioinformatics company Intelliseq, and Lublin-based NK Tech, which supports patients after amputations by offering innovative prosthetic sockets.

Join us for the second part of the interview with Aleksander Kłósek from YouNick Mint VC, which will be published on the blog next week. In it, we’ll cover more on what sets Polish startups apart from the international competition and how regulatory risks influence investors’ decisions.

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Stay tuned for more in the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].