NEW DELHI, August 6. In what could come as a big boost to entrepreneurs working to promote healthcare through innovations across the globe, UNSW Sydney and The George Institute for Global Health (TGI) have joined forces to launch a program designed to accelerate and scale up health focused start-ups. This programme is called Health10x.
This unique program was conceived by both TGI and UNSW and is being delivered by UNSW's Entrepreneurship Unit. It leverages the deep technical expertise and health-related networks of TGI, as well as the program experience and global networks of UNSW.
The program's first cohort of entrepreneurs includes five health start-up companies, all having a product or service that focuses on chronic diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, or diabetes) that will have an impact in the emerging economies. These start-ups are Bio-Sens Tech, Evidentli, BeacoHealth, Attoquest (previously Nano Bright) and Circulatory Support Technologies.
Through the course of 20 weeks, these start-ups will receive training in vital business development and entrepreneurship skills as well as health courses delivered by researchers at The George Institute. The accelerator programme includes an immersion trip to India from August 4 to 10 that will expose these start-ups to the healthcare sector in a key emerging market.
The Australian High Commission in India is supporting the Health 10x challenge and will be hosting the visiting teams on August 6, 2019.
Australia's High Commissioner to India, Her Excellency Ms Harinder Sidhu said, "We are delighted to support the Health10x challenge. These Australian companies represent ground-breaking innovations in the health sector. This challenge forms a part of the Australian Government's efforts to build connections and create opportunities for the Australian and Indian start-up sectors, and I see an enormous potential for cooperation."
"Given India's focus on creating an enabling ecosystem for innovation, it is timely that these start-ups are being provided this opportunity to explore the Indian market," says Dr Oommen John from George Institute for Global Health India who is leading the Health10x programme in India.
During their six days in India, these innovators will validate how their offerings can actually transform health services delivery and improve outcomes in a real-life setting. They will visit local healthcare settings in Rohtak, Haryana, meet healthcare workers and get an understanding of the healthcare system in India. They will also meet with key officials at the National Health Agency and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to gain an understanding of health delivery systems and the regulatory environment.
"Our aim is to help scale-up and deliver products that will help improve the health of millions of people worldwide," said Dr Elizabeth Eastland, Director of Entrepreneurship at UNSW Sydney.
Five teams are travelling to India - working on projects from new treatments for heart failure, to low cost point of care testing for diabetes. "We are excited to be hosting these start-ups and hope that their visit to India is insightful and productive. India is an emerging hub for health innovations and the visit will definitely provide them with perspectives on how health challenges can be tackled in low and middle income countries," says Professor Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, George Institute for Global Health, India.
About the programme:
The Australian start-ups were selected through a competitive process to participate in the accelerator and Indian market familiarisation program. The programme includes an immersion trip to India from Aug 4 to August 10 that will expose these start-ups to the healthcare sector in a key emerging market. These innovators will visit local healthcare settings in Rohtak, Haryana, meet healthcare workers, get an understanding of the healthcare system in India. They will also meeting with key officials at the National Health Agency and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to gain an understanding of health delivery systems and the regulatory environment. Five teams are travelling to India - working on projects from new treatments for heart failure, to low cost point of care testing for Diabetes.
About UNSW Sydney:
UNSW Sydney is a powerhouse of cutting-edge research, teaching and innovation.
We are one of the top 100 universities in the world, with more than 62,000 students and a 7,000-strong research community.
Located in Sydney, Australia, the University was established in 1949 with a specific focus on the scientific, technological and professional disciplines. UNSW is committed to making a difference through pioneering research and preparing the next generation of talented global citizens for career success.
UNSW is a founding member of the Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia's leading research-intensive universities, and the prestigious Universitas 21 international network.
The main UNSW campus is located on a 38-hectare site at Kensington, seven kilometres from the centre of Sydney. Other major campuses are Art & Design in Paddington and UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
