Since November 2023, I have been introducing startups in the Health Tech of The Week series, which have the potential or are already revolutionizing the medical services market by using new technologies. Today, I want to present Health Venture Lab, an international network of healthcare innovation stakeholders, supported by GE Healthcare. Their activities aim to accelerate medical innovations and support their market entry. I invite you to read the interview with Olivia Blanchard, the Managing Director of the organization.

What were the beginnings of your organization?

Our activities started in 2018 with an ambitious vision: to create the first accelerator program, which we named Reactor, operating under the auspices of EIT Health, without equity participation. We began our activities in the form of an intensive training camp, which at that time met the needs of health-themed startups at an early or mid-stage of development. The beginning of our activities coincided with a period when the urgent need for transformation in the digital health sector became particularly visible. This was later further highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. We are even more committed to providing innovators with the necessary resources and mentoring support, which are crucial for success in the dynamically changing world of healthcare.

Why did you decide to work for HVL?

I am from France, but my career path took me to Central and Eastern Europe, where I explored local innovation ecosystems and startup policy. Meeting the dynamic team at Health Venture Lab, I was immediately drawn to their mission of supporting innovation, especially in the healthcare sector. Moving from the theoretical concepts I had been working with to a real impact on reality made a huge impression on me. The opportunity to take on a leadership role, especially for a young specialist, was an extremely attractive challenge for me. Joining Health Venture Lab was not only an important step in my career but also an opportunity for personal development and a chance to contribute personally to an inspiring team.

What is the biggest achievement of HVL so far?

During our work, we have had many achievements that can be called milestones in our development. However, the essence of our success is building a wide network and creating influential partnerships. Collaborating with leading academic institutions, such as MIT or the István Széchenyi University of Gyor, shows that we have gained trust and recognition in the industry and academic environment. Such cooperation influences our subsequent activities and drives our mission, which is to develop innovation.

Tell us more about your mission

Health Venture Lab is a global hub of innovation, bridging the gap between startups and the healthcare sector. With foundations in Europe, we want to support local entrepreneurs in their ambitions to change and redefine current healthcare paradigms. Our initiatives, from the Young Talent Program to Catalyst Europe, are strategically designed to build a new generation of innovators interested in supporting healthcare. We now place particular emphasis on using AI in sustainable solutions.

How can Polish startups benefit from joining HVL?

Joining Health Venture Lab offers Polish startups access to a robust international network that includes education and financing pathways. Our achievements, including being recognized as one of the top ten European MedTech accelerators by Sifted in 2019, highlight the credibility and quality of our programs. Partnership with industry giants, such as GE Healthcare, further enhances the value of our offer, providing startups with exposure and unique development opportunities.

At what stage of development should startups join HVL to benefit the most?

We position ourselves as a solution suited for startups at an early or mid-stage of development. Having a solid base and a product at the MVP stage related to Health Tech is the moment when our acceleration program can support such a startup. We facilitate product-market fit and scaling growth.

What do you think are the future directions of health technology and how will the medical services market change?

The future of health technology is an evolution towards more personalized care, using AI to improve diagnosis and administrative efficiency. We expect the medical services market to undergo a transformation towards more patient-oriented care, driven by data analysis and technology.

How do you see the use of AI in the medical industry?

The integration of AI in the medical industry heralds a new era of precision medicine and personalized healthcare. From aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning to streamlining administrative tasks, AI has the potential to enhance every aspect of healthcare delivery. However, realizing this potential requires addressing significant challenges such as data privacy, regulatory compliance, and ethical issues, to ensure responsible and fair implementation of AI technology.

What are the further development plans for HVL?

We plan to further develop our acceleration programs and increase the number of innovators from Central and Eastern Europe. We also aspire to expand our operational capabilities to introduce innovative programs that will accelerate transformations in the healthcare sector.

In today’s entry from the „Health Tech of the Week” series, we will focus on Talkie.ai, an innovative startup that is changing the face of customer service in the medical sector through advanced AI technology. The breakthrough brought by Talkie.ai pertains not only to the way of communicating with patients but also to the efficiency and accessibility of medical services.

Talkie.ai was founded with the inspiration to solve the inefficiency problem of classic call centers, which too often negatively impacted patients’ experiences. Medical facilities are known for the difficulty in getting through to them. This limits the accessibility of medical services for many people: the elderly, busy individuals, or those with small children. In the era of growing AI technology capabilities, the startup’s founders saw an opportunity to automate telephone service, thereby relieving medical staff from routine tasks, which will allow them to focus on care and support for patients. According to Talkie.ai’s premise, everyone benefits from the automation of customer service in the medical sector – payers, medical facilities, doctors, and ultimately all of us as patients.

Virtual Receptionist

Talkie.ai’s solution is the so-called Virtual Receptionist – a bot based on artificial intelligence algorithms that can conduct conversations with multiple patients at once, handling matters such as scheduling appointments, ordering prescriptions, or managing examination dates. Thanks to the ability to understand natural language and medical terminology, the bot is capable of taking over most tasks that patients typically turn to health care facilities for. In more complicated cases, the bot involves a call center consultant or medical registration in the conversation. This eliminates the potential frustration of the patient, which would arise if he had to wait for a connection or could not get through at all.

What can particularly facilitate the work of medical facilities, compared to the solutions they have used so far, is support during outgoing conversations. The Virtual Receptionist can inform a group of patients about a change of appointment date, the absence of a doctor, or equipment failure. Similarly, the bot is capable of calling a selected patient base as part of a preventive or informational campaign, which will save time that the staff can spend on other activities.

Changes in Medicine After the Pandemic

During the COVID pandemic, it became more apparent than ever before that many patients do not need a „physical” visit to a facility, but only needed to: inquire about a visit, change the date, or place an order for a prescription. This experience showed that improving contact with the medical facility is an opportunity to genuinely relieve it. However, for this change to be real, all groups, including patients, must engage in it. Thanks to awareness campaigns encouraging patients to cancel appointments, there was an increase in responsibility for health care resources and shorter queues, which ultimately will result in a healthier society. As representatives of Talkie.ai say – within 12 months we see a significant change in the perception of confirming appointments as a responsibility of all participants in the health system – both medical facilities, which must ensure that their patients have a real possibility of contact to cancel an appointment in time, as well as patients, who have begun to perceive this issue as a personal responsibility. We are glad to be part of this change.

Plans for the Future

Talkie.ai is continuously expanding its cooperation with Hospital Information System (HIS) providers and their integration with the startup’s solution. The next step is expansion into the American market, which is a key element of Talkie.ai’s strategy. Adaptation efforts, such as integration with EHR systems specific to the USA and support for multilingualism (in addition to English, Spanish language support is also necessary), are already underway. We believe that the solution offered by the startup not only streamlines the management of medical data but also contributes to faster access to health services.

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We invite you to continue following the „Health Tech of the Week” series, where we will discover more fascinating stories from the circle 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 want to recommend an interesting solution, please contact us at: [email protected].

In today’s installment of the Health Tech of The Week series, we present Feyenally, which is on a mission to deliver innovative solutions in ophthalmic care, improving the quality of life for patients and facilitating the work of professionals.

The main inspiration for creating the Feyenally startup and its application enabling self-check of vision defects – eyeTEST, was the challenge associated with the lack of ophthalmic care worldwide, especially in regions with limited access to specialists. The deficit of optometrists, i.e., individuals capable of selecting the right glasses, is huge globally. The founders of Feyenally openly say that this gap cannot be filled without the help of technology. Their project is a tool that will allow patients to examine their vision at home, eliminating the time and distance barrier between them and a specialist.

Objective Vision Examination

The eyeTEST application allows patients to examine their eyes at home using only their smartphone. The examination is carried out without using the patient’s subjective assessment, which usually forms the basis of the vision defect diagnosis. During a basic examination, patients are often asked to provide feedback to the doctor, which can lead to errors due to subjective assessment. This can also be influenced by the time of day and environment – whether our eyes are rested or tired, whether the air is dry, etc. Utilizing objective research methods offered by eyeTEST is a step forward in improving the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. As a result, users receive accurate and repeatable examination results, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The eyeTEST app does not replace an ophthalmic visit but can replace a simple visit to an optometrist. Thanks to it, patients can regularly monitor their vision health and quickly respond to changes.

Support Around the World

Having accurate and quick diagnostic tools, such as eyeTEST, is extremely important for the global population with limited access to ophthalmic care. It offers a chance for early detection of vision problems and quick referral of patients for treatment, which can reduce complications and improve the quality of life. For people in some developing countries, this may be the only chance to check their vision.

Development Plans

As Mateusz Toporowicz and Piotr Kruszyński, founders of Feyenally, say, the best time to introduce such technology was yesterday, and the second-best time is today. The current moment is perfect for developing and introducing innovative solutions in ophthalmic care due to the dynamic development of technology, increasing demand for remote healthcare, and growing social awareness about the importance of prevention and health monitoring.

The company focuses on continuous improvement of algorithms and integration of new technologies to provide users with even better results and experience. Moreover, data is constantly being collected from a broader group of patients. In the coming months, Feyenally will focus on further refining the eyeTEST app and conducting pilot implementations. Work is also underway on certifying this solution as a medical device.

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We invite you to continue following the „Health Tech of the Week” series, where we will discover more fascinating stories from the realm of medical technology that are changing the face of healthcare. If you are leading an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, please contact us at: [email protected].

In today’s world, where the mental health of children is becoming an increasingly bigger challenge, Calmsie steps up to address these issues by offering innovative solutions in the field of therapy for child psychiatric disorders. I invite you to get to know the conversation with Calmsie’s CEO and founder, Marcin Waryszak, who shared more about the behind-the-scenes of the project.

Where did the idea for creating Calmsie come from?

MW: The idea for creating Calmsie was born in response to visible gaps in the child healthcare system. There is still much to be done in the area of child psychiatry, and the gaps in the system require an innovative approach, not just increased budgets. The beginnings were tied to hours-long conversations with experts, market research, and gathering feedback from parents, children, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists. This allowed us to shape a vision and define a strategy for action. Thanks to this work, we were able to create a tool that brings a fresh perspective to child psychiatry and can truly change the way we help children with emotional problems.

Why is caring for children’s mental health issues so important now?

MW: In the United States alone, there are 15 suicide attempts by children under the age of 12 every day. This dramatic reality requires immediate intervention. Our mission within the Calmsie project is not limited to creating innovative therapeutic solutions. We also engage in activities to increase public awareness about mental health. We continuously strive to change the situation in the area of child healthcare. Our actions also include advisory work in public institutions, such as the Round Table at the Ministry of Health. Calmsie’s co-founder, Dr. Brian E. Wallace, was an expert on child mental health and a speaker during the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations. Our efforts have strengthened the message about the need to change the approach to healthcare for the youngest.

What is „Mission Amygdala” and how does it support children in learning about emotions and effective stress management strategies?

MW: Calmsie introduced Mission Amygdala – a digital platform supporting children in the fight against depression and anxiety disorders. The app transports young patients into the world of mobile games, where they take on the role of heroes saving the galaxy. Children are faced with missions that help them overcome various emotional challenges. They then interactively communicate with General Empathy – a videobot, to learn how to apply knowledge in everyday life.

How do gaming experiences increase children’s engagement in the Calmsie educational program?

MW: They are crucial for the success of the Calmsie program. Gaming experiences make therapy more engaging and accessible for children. Our games mimic typical interactions, finger movement patterns, and the intuitiveness of controls known from popular games, allowing users to easily get involved in the therapeutic process. Working with world experts in the field of gaming, we have created games that are not only attractive but also effectively convey therapeutic content.

How do you utilize artificial intelligence for this?

MW: The basis of our games is the know-how in the field of artificial intelligence, based on years of R&D research. Additionally, we use proprietary medical content, which is based on decades of clinical practice under the supervision of professors of psychiatry. The use of artificial intelligence allows for real-time interaction between the child and avatar videobots, increasing effectiveness and personalizing therapy support.

Can virtual solutions fully replace contact with a therapist?

MW: Virtual solutions can be a valuable supplement to traditional therapy, but contact with a specialist remains key for deeper understanding and empathy towards the patient. Face-to-face interaction allows the therapist to better read non-verbal signals and tailor therapy to the individual needs of the patient. The ideal solution may be the integration of both approaches, utilizing the strengths of both forms for optimal results.

What other innovations in the field of child mental health are you currently working on?

MW: One of our main areas of research and development is working on revolutionary digital biomarker technology. These innovative tools can significantly streamline the diagnostic process, monitor therapy progress, and adjust treatment to individual patient needs. By applying advanced technologies, such as data analysis, artificial intelligence, and haptic technology, we aim to create tools that are not only effective but also easy to use and accessible to a wide range of users. We are working on this among others with entities associated with Cornell and Stanford Universities.

Calmsie was awarded as the global product of the year at the Med Tech World congress in Malta and was identified by Oracle as one of the best pediatric startups in the early stage of development worldwide, confirming the effectiveness and innovation of our approach. The company sees the future of medicine in Poland and around the world as increasingly integrated with modern technologies. Implementing innovations, such as telemedicine or artificial intelligence, can bring numerous benefits, including improving the accessibility of healthcare and increasing the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment. Currently, Calmsie focuses on intensive development and expansion into new markets. This includes conducting pilot projects in Poland and the United States and analyzing opportunities for expansion in Asia, Australia, and the Scandinavian countries.

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I invite you to continue following „Health Tech of The Week,” where we will explore innovations and solutions that are constantly transforming the world of medicine and healthcare, creating new treatment possibilities and improving the quality of life for patients worldwide.

If you are leading an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected]. 

In the latest publication from the „Health Tech of the Week” series, we present the company The Linghos (also known as Pogaduszki in Poland). I discussed what sets this company apart with the founders: Mariusz Pitura and Jakub Śledź.

Where did the idea for creating The Linghos come from? 

Mariusz Pitura: The story of The Linghos began with our own experiences as parents. Encountering speech therapy problems with our children opened our eyes to the lack of effective and accessible therapeutic tools. That was the moment when we determined that we could and should create something that would change these standards. We looked for such solutions in the App Store – and found none. Therefore, we decided to create the tool ourselves.  

Jakub Śledź: Exactly, a shared frustration and desire for our children to have a better future united us. We wanted to use our creative-technological competencies to create a solution that would be not only effective but also enjoyable for children.

What main problems do you intend to solve with your application?

JŚ: Above all, we want to address the problem of accessibility and engagement in traditional speech therapy. Thanks to The Linghos, therapy becomes more interactive, engaging, and most importantly, accessible from anywhere at any time. Adding to this our personalization system, we can ensure that each child receives therapy tailored to their individual needs and progress, significantly increasing the effectiveness of therapy.

MP: The uniqueness of The Linghos lies in combining proven knowledge and speech therapy practice with the latest AI technologies and gamification. This combination allows for the creation of a personalized therapeutic path that is both effective and attractive for every child.  

JŚ: Importantly, our approach allows for continuous monitoring of progress and adjusting therapy in real-time. This dynamic approach to speech therapy is what really sets us apart. From interviews, we know that parents really need such a tool.

What technologies do you use to analyze and correct speech defects in children?

JŚ: The core of our system is based on advanced artificial intelligence algorithms capable of analyzing a child’s speech, identifying specific problems, and suggesting the most appropriate exercises.  

MP: All this is designed to ensure that therapy is as effective as possible while maintaining lightness and fun, which is key to keeping children engaged.

How does the application personalize therapy?

MP: Each adventure with The Linghos begins with a detailed assessment that allows us to understand the unique needs of each child. We know what speech defects the child has and how they should be treated. Based on this, the application creates a personalized therapy plan.  

JŚ: Thanks to continuous monitoring of progress, we are able to adjust the therapy on an ongoing basis, meaning that the therapeutic plan evolves along with the child’s progress.

Who is the target user of the application, and how do you plan to reach this group?  

JŚ: Our target users are children with speech defects and their parents who are looking for effective and modern therapy tools. We plan to reach them through social media campaigns, cooperation with educational institutions and specialists in the field of speech therapy, as well as by building awareness of our brand at conferences and industry events.  

MP: A key element of our strategy is creating valuable educational and guide content that not only highlights the need for early intervention in speech defects but also shows how our application can help in this. Social media is an ideal tool here.

What are the first reactions and feedback from users/testers of the application?

JŚ: The reactions are really encouraging. Users appreciate, above all, the intuitiveness of our application, its engaging nature, and the visible effects after a short time of use. This confirms that we are on the right track.  

MP: We also receive valuable feedback that helps us further improve The Linghos. Our user community actively participates in the process of creating a better product, which is extremely valuable to us. We often talk to users and ask them what else they feel is missing in our platform. Many of these solutions are tested and implemented.

JŚ: Absolutely. We are already working on additional features that will further diversify therapy. We are also considering adapting the application to other languages to help children around the world.  

MP: Our ambitions go far beyond the current scope. We want The Linghos to become a global tool supporting speech development in children, regardless of their place of residence or the language they speak.

What are your development plans for the coming years?

JŚ: We have a vision where The Linghos is not only an application for correcting speech defects but a comprehensive platform supporting the development of the child. We want to expand our offerwith educational modules focusing on emotions, social skills, and other important aspects of development.  

MP: Of course, we do not forget about continuously improving our technology and therapeutic methods. We want each update of The Linghos to bring something new, something that will further increase the effectiveness of therapy and children’s engagement. Our goal is for The Linghos to become synonymous with innovative, effective, and child-friendly speech therapy worldwide in the coming years.

The Linghos has already gained the trust of three investment funds, and talks are underway with others. They are also recognized at many competitions related to innovations. However, my interviewees consider the increasing number of customers who make the application available to their children and recommend it to other parents to be their greatest success. Children struggling with speech problems can now go through the diagnostic process on the polish website www.pogaduszki.pl 

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I invite you to continue following the „Health Tech of the Week” series, where we will discover more fascinating stories from the world of medical technology that are changing the face of healthcare.

If you are leading an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].