Bayer "Grants4Apps" backs digital health startups

Bayer HealthCare has launched a "Grants4Apps Accelerator 2015" program in Berlin, awarding grants to five digital health startups

The five digital health startups will move into the "Grants4Apps Accelerator" at the headquarters of the company's pharmaceutical division in Berlin.

Each of the startup companies will receive financial support of up to 50,000 euros. The companies will advance their projects in Bayer's "Accelerator" over the next four months.   

"We are excited that the 'Grants4Apps Accelerator 2015' program is so well accepted. The number of applications for this year's round has tripled compared to last year," said Johannes Schubmehl, Chief Information Officer at Bayer HealthCare.

"With our 'Accelerator' program we create an environment in which to advance digital innovation in healthcare. We are looking forward to supporting the five digital health startups to further develop their innovative projects."

Bayer received more than 200 digital health related applications from 48 countries to participate in the "Grants4Apps Accelerator 2015" program. Applications from Europe and the Americas were strongly represented, but there were also many applications from Asia, particularly from China.

This year, Bayer employees were also encouraged to submit their own startup business ideas. Executives from Bayer HealthCare were involved in examining the applications, with judging criteria based on categories including company maturity, existing product prototypes and their team, as well as the applicant's fit to Bayer's areas of interest.

The five digital health startups chosen for the "Grants4Apps Accelerator 2015" program come from five different countries and three continents: Serona (previously called Hack My Hormones, Inc.) from the U.S., MediKeep OU from Estonia, Sendinaden Limited founded by Bayer entrepreneurs in China, Viomedo UG from Germany and Vitameter Inc. from Canada.

For the first time, two of the startup companies will also use the laboratory facilities in the Berlin Bayer HealthCare ‘CoLaborator’ as they need further capacities to test their concepts in real life.