A joint partnership between Startupbootcamp and Thinkzone, the programme is focussed on scaling the country’s digital health entrepreneurs

Startupbootcamp, a global network of industry-focused accelerator programmes, has announced its expansion into China with the launch of its first China-based programme.

Focusing on scaling the country’s digital health entrepreneurs, the programme is a joint partnership between Startupbootcamp and Thinkzone — China’s first state-ranked private incubator that accommodates over 500 enterprises in mobile internet, software R&D, and digital media.

Part of a series of planned Startupbootcamp programmes in China over the next few years, the first programme focused on digital health will be based in Chengdu, the capital of Southwestern China.

Chengdu is chosen for its support for entrepreneurial initiatives from the city’s local government and healthcare industry. The region is also known for having some of the best hospitals and medical research institutions in China.

Commenting on the expansion, Carsten Kølbek Co-founder of Startupbootcamp, said: “Chengdu’s leap in technological development makes the city the perfect gateway into other Chinese regions. The opportunities for digital health in China are vast, not only in the Sichuan region, but within the entire China. The big demand for better health services by the fast-growing middle-class and the liberation of the private insurance market requires new and scalable solutions fast.”

“Startupbootcamp’s proven model for igniting entrepreneurial ecosystems will help attract world-class talent to Chengdu and cultivate our growing community of local innovators by providing them with the resources they need to succeed,” said Chao Wang, Director of Thinkzone’s partnership with Startupbootcamp.

Opening for applications today, Startupbootcamp’s digital health programme will select high-potential startups from China and neighbouring countries — such as South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Australia — that are working to improve access to quality healthcare in the areas such as digital medical devices, diagnostics, genomics, wearable devices, and remote health monitoring.

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The 10 selected startups will receive RMB 100K (US$14,000) in seed funding, free office space, mentoring from 100-plus industry specialist, introductions to local partners and investors as well as access to Startupbootcamp’s large international network in more than 30 countries.

During the 3-month programme, the selected companies will be supported through every stage of their business growth — from market fit, product development to sales, through tailored and hands-on sessions.

Startupbootcamp’s overall China expansion will be led by Steven Tong, who has been the Managing Director for the Singapore programme since 2015. Tong will be joined by Christina Pamela Christiansen, who’ll lead the digital health programme as the Programme Director and Feng Jingyue as the Chief Operations Officer.

“We are interested in startups that have shown traction or startups that have launched a serious prototype. In our digital health programmes in Berlin and Miami, we have received 300-500 applications for each programme. We expect the number to be even higher in China, so the competition is going to be fierce,” added Christina.

Startupbootcamp digital health Chengdu applications are open until 20th March 2017 and the programme will begin in May 2017.

Founded in 2010, Startupbootcamp runs 15 programmes in London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome, Istanbul, Singapore, Mumbai, Miami and New York, and a mentor and alumni network in more than 30 countries. More than 350 startups have been accelerated by Startupbootcamp of which 80 per cent are still active.

Thinkzone, located in the central area of Tianfu new city in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, started in 1994. In 2005, it was rated to be the national technology and business service centre, becoming the first state-ranked private incubator of the whole country.

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