While the COVID-19 pandemic has been a devastating human tragedy, some positive outcomes exist. The digital health and health tech startups in Helsinki Metropolitan enjoyed a record growth boost in private investments in 2020. The Helsinki health ecosystem offers great opportunities to innovate new solutions, writes Juha Paakkola, Director of Health Capital Helsinki.

Summer has finally started and COVID-19 vaccinations are proceeding well in Finland and Europe. Future feels better than it has for a long time.While the pandemic has been a devastating human tragedy, some positive outcomes exist. Remote working became widely accepted and telemedicine and digital health went mainstream. Investors have of course sensed the market change and we have experienced an unforeseen investment boom in digital health and health technology.In Helsinki Metropolitan, we saw a record growth of 180% in private investments to digital health and health tech startups (2020 vs. 2019). This investment capital will fuel growth and bring exciting new solutions to healthcare – to benefit patients. In the post-pandemic era many patients will benefit from better tools and access to healthcare.

In Helsinki Metropolitan, we saw a record growth of 180% in private investments to digital health and health tech startups (2020 vs. 2019).

Cutting-edge research

The mRNA technology that did an amazing market entry with COVID vaccines is a milestone in drug and treatment development for key areas like cancer and MS. The Helsinki ecosystem is in a good position to embrace this opportunity. Universities and the leading hospital HUS Helsinki University Hospital have strong genetics, oncology, neurology and immunology research. The FinnGen research is combining genetic and health data in a unique way – also contributing significantly to COVID-19 research.If you wish to know more about top molecular medicine research conducted in Helsinki, you can join the webinar series presenting FIMM. The next event is on 22 June – welcome!

Service design adding value in healthcare

While generating new – even disrupting – innovations and solutions, we need to understand what is really needed and who needs it. We should develop solutions and services that are really adding value, reducing costs and improving quality of care. Patients’ and healthcare professionals’ insights are needed in the process and professional service design can add true value. In Finland, Aalto University and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences are experts in service design.

Let’s get connected – the fall is filled with opportunities

The past 1,5 years have been tough for many of us. Let’s take a well-deserved break during the summer, relax and reload our batteries.Next fall will be full steam ahead. We at Health Capital Helsinki are committed to supporting our startups and research community, large corporations and health stakeholders. Let’s get connected, innovate together, and find new solutions that are making a difference.With these words, I wish you all a great, sunny and relaxing summer – see you soon!Health Capital Helsinki