Irish start-ups invited to participate in Berlin e-health incubator

Irish start-ups are invited to pitch for a place at Berlin’s Flying Health Incubator, cofounded by Audi, which supports start-ups developing digital innovations in the healthcare sector.

Over a period of two years, the Flying Health Incubator will help e-health start-ups develop their digital business strategies, from research to quality management and project controlling. Entrepreneurs will work alongside Audi employees and a network of scientists, IT experts, investors and mentors at a research site at Berlin’s trauma hospital, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin.

Together, the start-ups and incubator partners, including Audi, will strive to identify trends, technical solutions and business models in the digital health market. Every year, three to five start-ups have the possibility of participating in the incubator programme.

Commenting on the Flying Health Incubator programme, Richard Molloy, Head of Marketing and Product at Audi Ireland, said: “With the current focus on e-health and healthcare transformation in Ireland, it’s very fitting that we help to support start-ups looking to innovate within this area. We are delighted to be able to invite Irish start-ups to pitch for a place in the programme.”

Audi is already accelerating its own development of ‘automotive health’ as a new business area. With Audi Fit Driver, the company is already testing innovative services and functionalities dedicated to enhancing driver’s health and fitness while on the road. Audi Fit Driver, currently being tested in Audi concept cars, makes sure drivers arrive at their destinations in a more relaxed and healthy state than when they got into the car. The system also contributes to road safety by keeping the driver more alert. The car’s sensors work together with a wearable – such as a smartwatch – to monitor the driver’s vital signs. The car’s systems respond accordingly to invigorate, relax or protect the driver: for example, with a seat massage, appropriate air conditioning and interior lighting, adaptive infotainment, or in a later development phase, with a piloted emergency stop.

How to apply

The Flying Health Incubator is open to start-ups in Ireland. Interested start-ups should send a one-page brief or pitch deck that illustrates their e-health idea to Co-Founder and Managing Partner Christian Lautner: lautner@flyinghealth.com