MUNICH, GERMANY. Jun 28, 2022. Startup Creasphere welcomed leading healthcare partners, VC investors, like-minded startup founders, and many more healthcare stakeholders to EXPO 8. The event was filled with insights, innovation and the importance of how corporates and startups are collaborating towards the goal of transforming healthcare together. EXPO8 showcases the Startup Creasphere program and enabled the demonstration of the 5 successful pilot projects between the corporate partner Roche and Batch 8 startups. 

EXPO 8 had a variety within its agenda, including an introduction by Neda Amidi, President at Plug and Play, a keynote on the importance of mindfulness and mental health, as well as keynotes by our corporate partners Roche, BIOTRONIK and Novo Nordisk, an Alumni Pilot showcase, and of course, pitches by our Batch 8 startups who this time were joined on stage by their project partners from Roche.

It was incredible to connect face-to-face once again as it was our first in-person EXPO in over 2 years. We really enjoyed our Networking Summer Party, even the rain did not stop us from mingling, enjoying the BBQ and making lasting connections! Our photographer saved all the memories in fantastic event pictures which we are happy to share with the public now!

Keynote ‘Mindfulness to improve Mental Health’ – Key Learnings:

In his inspiring keynote speech, Manuel Ronnefeldt, CEO and Founder of 7Mind, talked about the importance of mindfulness and meditation in our everyday lives. He explained his journey in developing the leading mindfulness app in Europe, with 3 billion downloads within the DACH region and 60 employees. Using case studies and examples of everyday life he explained how important mindfulness is to everyones mental health and how with little changes in our lives we can feel a large impact.

Pilot showcases of Batch 8 startups

Roche – Introduction

With the keynote of Okan Ekinci, SVP, Global Head of Marketing & Innovation at Roche Information Solutions, we moved to the highlight of our EXPO8 – the pilot showcases between Batch 8 startups and the business units of Roche. In his speech, Okan emphasized the successful journey within Startup Creasphere so far and the role of startups in the transformational innovation efforts for Roche. For them, the theme ‘Transforming Healthcare Together’ was never as adequate as today. He showcased successful Roche collaborations with startups addressing the internal value chain, extending the core business or empowering marketplaces.

Roche Startups 

Px Healthcare (UK): Improving the patient provider communication by developing and using smart remote patient monitoring tools. – Pilot owner: Elizabeth Little

Cerascreen (GER): Connecting and developing innovative partner solutions with home sampling. – Pilot owner: Oliver Gutmann

Decentriq (Switzerland): Overcoming the challenges of data privacy within the healthcare field. – Pilot owner: Asad Preuss-Dodhy

MediBiosense (UK): Integration of cardiovascular biomarkers into Roche’s digital point of care platform. – Pilot Owner: Till Baumgärtel

Neurotrack (US): Cognitive testing capabilities to improve clinical trials in the field of Alzheimer’s early detection. – Pilot Owner: Bryan Cobb

Daiichi Sankyo – Introduction

Following our pilot showcases we had an impromptu short introduction to announce the newest partner in the Startup Creasphere ecosystem, Daiichi Sankyo. Anna-Maria Heidlinger, Head of Digital Innovation Hub Europe and Arnaud Muller, Digital Portfolio Director Specialty Medicines at Daiichi Sankyo Europe, were welcomed on stage to share insights on the innovation strategy of Daiichi Sankyo, their aim of digitizing and, personalizing their medical care and providing enhanced value to their patients.

BIOTRONIK – Keynote

Next up, Felix Kallenberg, Head of Business Strategy and Innovation Management CRM at BIOTRONIK, shared his insights into their previous and continuous work with Batch 6 and Batch 7 startups of the program. Felix also shared how they are increasing their scope of startup collaboration, as well as how they are working with Startup Creasphere on Innovation days to further their internal best practices and collaboration standards with startup innovation, and to tackle hurdles within early stage innovation which is already in process with the upcoming Batch 9!

Novo Nordisk – Keynote

Last but not least we had a keynote by Lluc Diaz, the Open Innovation Lead at Novo Nordisk. Recently, Novo Nordisk launched a new digital strategy by which the company seeks to be able to leverage opportunities in the digital space to become even better at delivering life-changing medicine to patients. Lluc provided valuable insights on the underlying activities of this digital strategy, which includes the launch of digital innovation hubs in several locations, supported by the global Startup Creasphere ecosystem.

Startup Award

Throughout the day we had multiple amazing pilot showcases, which at the end of the event our attendees had the opportunity to vote for their favorite. With a big round of applause and confetti we presented Aashish Mody (President of Neurotrack) and Jordan Glenn (Senior VP of Clinical Development), and the Roche pilot owner, Bryan Cobb (Healthcare Delivery Innovations Lead, Genentech) with the award “Best Pilot Showcase Award”, congratulations!

Stay tuned for our next batch kicking off on October 5th with new exciting digital health startups!