The European Union
funded FICHe (Future Internet Challenge eHealth) accelerator program has
selected 80 European health technology companies out of more than three
hundred applications to the first phase of the project. Participation
was open to all European eHealth small and mid-sized enterprises and
startups eager to develop innovative applications in the eHealth domain
using FIWARE technology (www.fiware.org).
In the coming next weeks the 80 SMEs and startups are offered
bootcamps, coaching and webinars. By the end of February they all have
to deliver a clear business model of their innovation, present their
team to the review committee and develop a plan to execute in the next
phase of the program.
The FICHe project is a
three phase accelerator program that will challenge handpicked
applicants to create the best business model, go-to-market strategy,
proof of concept, investors pitch and tested prototype. To reach the
next phase, applicants have to be among the top 50%, ending with the
best 20 that will make it to the final phase.
Project coordinator Satu Väinämö will be leading the project. Väinämö: "I'm excited to lead the FICHe accelerator as it brings a truly great opportunity for European startups and SMEs with viable ideas to break through. I look forward to seeing unique ideas and 20 excellent businesses at the end of the project."
Jesus Villasante, Head of Unit for Net Innovation, at the European Commission, DG CONNECT, leads the group of 16 Future Internet accelerators that challenge European SMEs and Startups to come up with smart business ideas. FICHe is one of these accelerators.
Jesus Villasante: "This Future Internet-accelerator is a major opportunity that European SMEs and Web Entrepreneurs cannot miss. As part of the programme, 100 Million Euro will be invested across Europe in financial support, coaching and mentoring. This can be a great change in your professional life, get information and be prepared for the challenge!"
Why eHealth?
With ageing populations, European countries are spending an increasing percentage of their GDP on healthcare. The healthcare sector has been more resistant to the current crisis than other industries, continuing to attract investments.
Innovation is now expected to have a big impact, making health access, management and delivery more efficient by the use of Information Technology. By empowering highly-innovative start-ups and small- and mid-sized enterprises, FICHe aims to make European healthcare more competitive.
FIWARE technology
FIWARE is an innovative, open cloud-based infrastructure for cost-effective creation and delivery of Future Internet applications and services, at a scale not seen before. FIWARE API specifications are public and royalty-free, driven by the development of an open source reference implementation which accelerates the availability of commercial products and services based on FIWARE technologies.
Stay tuned: www.fiware.org or @FIWare
The project
The pan-European FICHe project is co-funded under the European Union’s Programme for research, technological development and demonstration.
Project partners are the University of Oulu, Business Oulu, TIC BioMed, FFIS de la region de Murcia, TNO, Amsterdam Economic Board, Stichting zorgInc., Dutch eHealth Fund Management BV and Stichting Digitalezorg.nl.
For more information, contact:
Paul Pelsmaeker
FICHe Project Ambassador
Stichting Digitalezorg.nl (ISfTeH Associate Member)
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