All the Exciting Updates. Welcome 2024!
As we close another dynamic year at WorldUpstart, we are looking forward to a continued journey ahead. In this Winter 2024 Newsletter, we're excited to share the latest updates and the significant impact we've achieved together. Collaborating with an array of global innovators and leaders has been a privilege and their steadfast partnership is invaluable to us. If you're interested in exploring how to become part of our thriving ecosystem, please feel free to reach out to us.
January 22, 2024
New Partnership in France with Enosis Santé
In 2023, WorldUpstart formed a partnership with the French HealthTech Cluster Alliance Enosis Santé, an association created by four French healthcare groups: BioValley France, Eurobiomed, Lyonbiopole Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Medicen Paris Region. Enosis Santé provides support to enroll their member companies into the hybrid US Market Gateway Accelerator. To date, the impact led to six startups (Deeplink Medical, Diagnoly, IndieNov, Lattice Medical, MexBrain, and Previa Medical) participating in the most recent cohorts with notable results. We look forward to continuing this collaboration in 2024.
Cohort of 10 companies graduate in Fall 2023
Ten impressive healthcare companies were selected for WorldUpstart’s Fall 2023 US Market Gateway Accelerator from Australia, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea. Participants first joined online for six intensive weeks working with leading experts from across the country and a team of mentors who provided strategic guidance. Participants gained fundraising coaching and a checklist to successfully enter the US market. The program continued in-person when the participants flew to Philadelphia for four impactful days in November connecting with the local ecosystem and participating in the PACT investor conference where two of WorldUpstart’s Accelerator participants were selected to pitch. Among them was StrongRoom AI, which already has a presence in over 150 pharmacies in Australia and is quickly gaining traction in the US market.
Another WorldUpstart Accelerator graduate opens U.S. office
SDS Optic is expanding from Poland to Philadelphia with ambitious goals and a compelling plan for achieving it. Read our blog post to learn about their recent accomplishments and how they are revolutionizing cancer diagnosis. SDS Optic has developed a high-tech optics microprobe that can diagnose HER2-positive breast cancer in just 30 minutes - no more waiting days or weeks for lab results! Called inPROBE®, the device has completed a Phase I clinical trial, which will shortly be published, and is beginning a larger Phase II efficacy study. inPROBE’s technology has potential for use in a wide variety of other cancers, including liver and prostate cancers, and SDS Optic’s aim is to increase the cancer cure rate by 30% by 2030 via accelerated diagnosis and treatment. This is a goal we are enthusiastic to support.
Meet HiveBio - Igniting Innovation and Nurturing Diversity
HiveBio envisions a future where funding opportunities for minority-owned life science startups flourish, breaking down barriers and fostering global representation. WorldUpstart is proud to be a founding partner, along with HelaPlex, LaunchBio, B-Wise, Leading Business Ventures, and TurboSBIR. This first-of-its-kind Accelerator provides life science entrepreneurial support and resources, including hands-on fundraising coaching, to elevate minority-owned startups globally. The program educates and coaches entrepreneurs on six key elements: Angel/VC Funding, Customer Discovery, Financial Projection, SBIR/STTR Applications, Storytelling, and Strategic Planning. Sign up here to stay informed and receive updates on HiveBio’s upcoming PreSeed pilot program.
Gearing up for the Winter 2024 WorldUpstart Accelerator Cohort
In February 2024, WorldUpstart’s next Accelerator cohort will be announced featuring impressive companies from Canada, France, Israel, Poland, the UK, and Ukraine working in the areas of Digital Health, Drug Development, and Medical Technologies. Entering any new market comes with a variety of opportunities and challenges for scaling companies. To gain fast traction and identify the key to growth in the US, international companies need both exceptional strategy and execution. WorldUpstart's Accelerator delivers this and culminates with the opportunity to pitch to a panel of Angel and VC investors, and visit major local medical centers in the greater Philadelphia ecosystem in early April 2024.
Supporting award-winning healthcare startup from Ukraine
Building a company is an incredibly challenging venture, and doing so while your country is faced with war is unbearably difficult. WorldUpstart is honored to play a small part in supporting an award-winning healthtech startup from Ukraine. CheckEye is developing a cloud-based solution to detect diabetic retinopathy using photographic images of eye fundus through the ML\AI algorithm. The goal is to make the early detection and prevention of diabetic retinopathy easily accessible for all. In partnership with the Ukrainian Diabetic Foundation, CheckEye is now providing screenings at 10 outpatient clinics. In January 2024, the company showcased their achievements and met strategic partners at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Next step is honing their roadmap to enter the US market, which they will gain by participating in WorldUpstart’s next US Market Gateway Accelerator.
Thank you, Mentors!
WorldUpstart is tremendously grateful to our esteemed Mentors who play a critical role in guiding company CEOs and founders through the arduous task of expanding a growing healthcare company into the biggest and most challenging market. In the past three years, 64 companies from 18 countries have graduated from the US Market Gateway Accelerator and 25 of them are already in the US and growing, with 8 FDA approvals. This impact shows that the program and mentorship combine to double the odds of success. WorldUpstart invests careful consideration into the matchmaking process, ensuring the meticulous alignment of mentors and companies to yield mutually advantageous outcomes. If you are interested to learn more about joining our amazing team of Mentors, reach out to Managing Director Stephanie Vogel.
Published by WorldUpstart