Two Days of Inspiration at HealthTech 2024

Hello everyone!

The two-day HealthTech conference in Munich has come to an end. I am excited to share the results with you.

Unlike other conferences we have attended recently, this one was technology-focused, making its organization very efficient and intuitive. There were large stands with location signs, screens displaying the schedule of activities, and maps with "You are here" points. Additionally, HealthTech has its own mobile app where you could view the program, bookmark interesting lectures and presentations, connect with investors, and schedule meetings. And all of this could be done well before the event itself. 

No packets with brochures and booklets. Everything was maximally automated and very convenient. Believe me, I have something to compare it with. And no trees were harmed :)

Activities

Leading minds from the world of healthcare and technology gathered at the conference without any false modesty. The program was rich and included speeches by leaders such as Mario Schlosser from Oscar Health and Saeju Jeong from Noom. It was very interesting to hear about digital transformation in healthcare, new approaches to treatment and disease prevention, and the role of artificial intelligence in medicine.

Special attention was given to networking and opportunities for startups. More than 400 investors and 1500 startups could meet, exchange ideas, and discuss potential partnerships. There were also new interaction formats for me, such as round tables, a bulletin board, "Startup. Let’s match" stickers, and speed dating.

Day One

We dedicated the entire first day to attending lectures, getting to know startups, and meeting with investors and founders we knew from other conferences.

I managed to talk to 15 investors and fund representatives. For some, we are still too small; for others, we are not in focus. But four were seriously interested in Sequoia, and we will continue communication with them.

There were also useful meetings with experts who shared their experiences on how best to attract investments now. One American speaker directly advised paying attention to crowdfunding as a very real way to raise funds for early-stage startups.

Of interest, we learned about DiGA (Digital Health Applications). DiGA are medical apps certified in Germany and included in a special registry. They undergo rigorous testing for safety, functionality, quality, effectiveness, medical benefits, and data protection. After their approval, doctors can prescribe their use in addition to treatment. The use of such apps is even covered by health insurance.

This is very cool because DiGA represents an important and significant step in the digital transformation of healthcare. It integrates innovative technologies into everyday medical practice and makes medical care more accessible and personalized.

Day Two

As I wrote in previous posts, Sequoia was selected from 1500 startups and got the opportunity to present our project on one of the conference days in the exhibition area. A total of 100 startups were selected.

An entire floor was allocated for the exhibition. The places were distributed randomly, but we were lucky and got a spot near the stairs next to the coffee point. The location was busy, so there was even a queue at our stand.

We prepared thoroughly: made bright merch in Sequoia's brand color for all team members, brought two large banners, printed 400 stickers with the text "LIFE BEGINS AT ERECTION," and played Sequoia videos on a laptop all day.

Of course, this is only part of the success. A lot also depended on our activity. Understanding that the topic of men's health is highly stigmatized and people find it difficult to approach the stand and start asking questions, we acted proactively. If we saw someone paying attention to the banner, we approached them ourselves and with the words "Want to learn more about men’s health?" offered to talk.

Notably, most of those who approached were women. This once again leads us to think that women could be our target audience, as they are interested in ensuring their men are healthy.

In the end, we talked to more than 120 people and distributed more than 200 stickers. Some immediately stuck them on their devices, some came up several times, and one person took 10 stickers at once, saying he would give them to all his friends.

The end of the day found us tired, hoarse, but very satisfied with ourselves and the results achieved.

German Hospitality

I would like to separately mention how the conference space was organized. There were designated zones for meetings with investors, special work zones, and even booths where you could talk in complete silence. For those who wanted more, there was an internal courtyard where you could chat in the fresh air. Everywhere there were sockets and charging lockers within easy reach.

Also, the event offered free food. Honestly, I have never seen such a variety of dishes. Inside, vegan and vegetarian dishes were served, while in the courtyard, food trucks prepared traditional German sausages with several kinds of cabbage, pizza, fish dishes, and sushi. There was also a separate spot with lemonades and ice cream cones.

But that’s not all. We all know the Germans’ love for beer. At the conference, it was in full swing. Right in the center of the venue, there was a rotating round bar counter in the form of a carousel, where beer flowed from morning until late at night. And no one (except us) was surprised to see people not with coffee but with glasses of beer at 10 am.

Summary

These were wonderful two days that allowed us to gain new knowledge, expand our horizons, make promising connections, showcase ourselves, and marvel at how different things can be in different countries.

I will be processing what I saw for a long time, sharing it, and implementing it at Sequoia.

P.S.: The next conference where we will represent Sequoia is Digital Day 2024, which will be held in Minsk on June 13 at Prime Hall. Come! We will be happy to chat.