ANDHealth has opened applications for its Activate scale-up program, inviting digital health startups to join a structured pathway for growth, commercialization, and market expansion. The initiative targets Australian and international health technology companies that want to move beyond early traction and build sustainable, high-impact businesses within the healthcare sector.
The Activate program focuses on startups that already demonstrate product-market fit and now seek strategic support to scale operations, refine business models, and form long-term partnerships with healthcare providers, investors, and industry leaders.
A Strategic Platform for Scaling Digital Health Innovation
ANDHealth designed the Activate program to address one of the most difficult stages in a startup’s journey: the transition from early success to long-term growth. Many digital health companies struggle to navigate regulatory complexity, enterprise sales cycles, and clinical validation requirements. The Activate program tackles these challenges directly through expert guidance and ecosystem access.
The program connects founders with experienced mentors who understand both technology and healthcare systems. These mentors help startups sharpen their commercial strategies, prepare for enterprise contracts, and position products for adoption within hospitals, clinics, and health networks.
Unlike short-term accelerators that focus on ideation, Activate concentrates on scale-up readiness. The program works with companies that already built solutions and now need deeper business expertise and stronger market connections.
What the Activate Program Offers
The Activate scale-up program provides a structured framework that supports startups across multiple dimensions of growth. Participants receive access to:
- Tailored mentoring: Industry experts and successful entrepreneurs guide founders on regulatory pathways, reimbursement models, and go-to-market strategies.
- Investor engagement: Startups gain exposure to venture capital firms and strategic investors that specialize in health and medtech.
- Healthcare partnerships: ANDHealth facilitates introductions to hospitals, research institutions, and health service providers for pilot programs and trials.
- Commercial readiness workshops: Founders learn how to negotiate contracts, manage procurement processes, and scale revenue streams.
- Peer collaboration: Cohort members share experiences, challenges, and solutions within a trusted community.
This combination of practical guidance and strategic networking creates an environment where startups can focus on execution rather than experimentation.
Focus on High-Impact Health Technologies
The Activate program prioritizes startups that develop solutions in key digital health areas such as telehealth, remote patient monitoring, clinical decision support, mental health platforms, and data-driven healthcare services.
These sectors show strong demand due to aging populations, workforce shortages, and rising healthcare costs. Governments and providers now seek technology that improves efficiency while maintaining quality of care. ANDHealth aligns its program objectives with these industry needs.
By supporting startups in these domains, the Activate program strengthens the overall digital health ecosystem and accelerates innovation that can improve patient outcomes.
Supporting Commercialization and Market Entry
Commercialization remains one of the biggest obstacles for health startups. Regulatory approval processes and procurement requirements often slow down adoption. The Activate program helps founders understand these systems and build realistic business plans around them.
Mentors guide startups through compliance standards, data privacy rules, and clinical validation pathways. This guidance allows companies to approach healthcare buyers with confidence and credibility.
The program also emphasizes storytelling and value demonstration. Startups learn how to communicate the economic and clinical benefits of their products to decision-makers such as hospital executives and health administrators.
Building Stronger Industry Connections
ANDHealth uses its extensive network to create direct links between startups and established healthcare organizations. These relationships play a critical role in turning prototypes into real-world solutions.
Through the Activate program, startups gain opportunities to run pilot projects and proof-of-concept trials with industry partners. These collaborations help validate products and generate case studies that attract further investment and customers.
Industry partners also benefit from early access to innovative technologies. This mutual exchange strengthens trust and encourages long-term cooperation between startups and the healthcare system.
Preparing Startups for Investment Readiness
Access to capital remains essential for scaling digital health companies. The Activate program prepares founders for fundraising by refining pitch decks, financial models, and growth strategies.
Investors look for startups that demonstrate strong governance, regulatory awareness, and scalable revenue potential. ANDHealth mentors help companies meet these expectations through structured feedback and performance benchmarks.
The program also introduces founders to investors who focus specifically on healthcare innovation. These connections increase the likelihood of securing strategic funding rather than purely financial backing.
Driving Economic and Social Impact
The Activate program contributes to both economic development and social progress. Successful digital health startups create skilled jobs and attract private investment into the health technology sector.
More importantly, these companies develop tools that improve healthcare delivery and patient access. Technologies that support remote care, early diagnosis, and efficient treatment pathways help relieve pressure on health systems and improve quality of life for patients.
ANDHealth positions the Activate program as a catalyst for this dual impact. The organization believes that commercial success and social value can grow together within the digital health industry.
A Growing Ecosystem of Alumni
Previous participants in ANDHealth programs have gone on to secure funding, expand internationally, and form long-term partnerships with healthcare providers. The Activate program builds on this track record by creating a strong alumni network.
Graduates remain connected to the ecosystem and often mentor new cohorts. This cycle of support strengthens knowledge sharing and creates a culture of collaboration rather than competition.
As the network grows, it attracts more investors, corporate partners, and research institutions. This expansion increases opportunities for future startups and reinforces Australia’s position as a digital health innovation hub.
Vision for the Future
ANDHealth plans to expand the Activate program in future editions by introducing hybrid formats that combine in-person engagement with virtual mentoring. This approach will allow more startups from different regions to participate while maintaining strong community ties.
The organization also aims to deepen partnerships with universities, hospitals, and government agencies. These collaborations will provide startups with clearer pathways to clinical trials, procurement, and large-scale deployment.
By continuously refining the program, ANDHealth seeks to keep pace with rapid changes in health technology and global healthcare needs.
Conclusion
The opening of applications for the Activate scale-up program marks an important moment for digital health entrepreneurs. ANDHealth offers a comprehensive platform that helps startups move from early success to sustainable growth.
Through mentoring, investor access, and industry partnerships, the program equips founders with the tools they need to navigate complex healthcare markets. It also strengthens the broader innovation ecosystem by encouraging collaboration between startups and established institutions.
The Activate program does more than support businesses. It nurtures solutions that can transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. As demand for digital health innovation continues to rise, ANDHealth positions itself at the center of this transformation by empowering the next generation of health technology leaders.