The local newspaper Reutlinger General-Anzeiger accompanies one of our teams through the MedTech Startup School. The journalist Ines Stöhr visits milestones of our current program and publishes a series of articles on the development of the team “Back in the Game“. This time, she visited our Pitch 50 and saw the team pitching in front of a public audience for the first time.
Back in the Game – The Presentation needs to be more intriguing
Tuebingen: “The team was my favorite since the first presentation” admits Helmut Scherer. Maria Spohr presented the idea of the group with ease. The idea called “Back in the game” a cellphone game which shall help with depression. However, two other ideas caught Sherer’s attention, although he would change the name of all three ideas. Scherer is a founder of numerous businesses, investor, and head of development at Erbe.
At “Pitch 50”, marking the halftime of the Med-Tech Startup School, the seven teams presented their startup ideas before a selected audience. Afterwards, the group’s presentations were rated. The Anti-Depression group, developing an App combating depression as well as bridging the waiting period for therapy, came in second. Along with a team working on VR glasses and a special training software, which shall rehabilitate stroke patients. In first came a team that developed a mobile solution for cooling injuries. The temperature can be individually set.
Implementation needs help
During the remaining four weeks, the teams can receive help in different areas until the closing Demo Day. “I could provide them, for instance, with a developer.” says Sherer regarding the still missing part of the game. The presentation also needs to be more intriguing, regarding customers and cashflow. “All teams do.” adds Sherer. The team in first is an exception, since they are working on their idea for some time now. It is important to accompany the innovation process, finds Michael Burnet from the research enterprise Synovo. “The teams did a fin job!”. The MedTech Startup School is a priceless measure, which one, along with science, ought to be supported. “One can clearly see the differences from the first presentations to the present.” says Burnet. The participants leave the room with much greater confidence. The Startup School has a profound impact on the participant’s appearance on the market. Commerce is no longer a secret to them. “A great many PhD students think that the economy is a monster. The opposite is true.” Burnet is also convinced of the Anti-Depression-App. He knows the effects of depression first hand. “Depression is underestimated. The threshold to come forward is gigantic.” Which is why measure before therapy and/or taking medicine are to be welcomed. “The idea is good; however, implementation needs support.
Patients profit
Healthcare insurers, nowadays, tend to include digital therapies next to conventional once. Which is why some insurers might be prepared to cover the costs of the App for their customers. Besides, the game might also speed up treatment if used alongside conventional therapy. Should patients cover the costs? “That’s not worth it!” finds Katharina Stegen from ‘Back in the Game’. “The download numbers are far from covering the costs in that area.”. However, employers might be interested in jumping in if you make employers understand that sick days were to drop if employees were to use the App. “Of course, the App cannot be the only treatment.” knows Professor Christian Plewnia. One of the scientists of the team. But one of many. Studies show that a half-hour usage of a program, upon which the App is built, improved the wellbeing of the users after two weeks. First experiences of patients using that program are very positive, says the head for the center of brain stimulation.
Want to read more?
Find all articles on “Back in the Game“ in English on our webpage:
“The presentation needs to be more intriguing“, published on September 18th, 2018 in Reutlinger General-Anzeiger
“It will fail without communication“, published on September 5th, 2018 in Reutlinger General-Anzeiger
“I could have needed that too“, published on August 8th, 2018 in Reutlinger General-Anzeiger
Find all articles on “Back in the Game“ in German on the webpage of the Reutlinger General-Anzeiger:
“Die Präsentation muss knackig sein“, published on September 18th, 2018
“Ohne Kommunikation geht’s schief“, published on September 5th, 2018
“So etwas hätte ich auch gebraucht“, published on August 8th, 2018