Digital health Germany - Canadian technology accelerator

Are you ready to grow your digital health company to Europe’s largest healthcare market?
Germany spends more than 570 billion Canadian dollars each year on healthcare. After the successful launch of the prescribable health apps program (“DIGAs”), Germany recently introduced a similar regulatory pathway for “Prescribable Care Apps” (“Digitale Pflegeanwendungen, or DiPA). The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has set up a new procedure for verifying the reimbursability of digital care applications through this pathway.

Digital care applications (DiPA) are digital applications used by care recipients or in the interaction of care recipients with relatives, other voluntary caregivers or authorised outpatient nursing care facilities. DiPAs are designed to reduce impairments, strengthen the abilities of the care recipient or prevent an increasing need for care. DiPAs typically include standard software, Software as a Service (SaaS), and mobile as well as browser-based apps.

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Important dates

What are the benefits of joining?

Upon acceptance, your business will benefit from

• extensive background intelligence through virtual panels and workshops with dedicated sector experts on market access
• introduction to norms and regulations, business culture and best practices
• tailored advice from mentors and local industry experts unique to your business needs
• In-market networking opportunities with introductions to key industry stakeholders including:
• healthcare providers, healthcare institutions and research institutions
• insurers and payers
• innovative, like-minded entrepreneurs to share experiences and collaborate

Who should apply

The Digital Health Germany CTA is looking for innovative Canadian companies who:

• have a digital application that reduces impairments, strengthens the abilities of the care recipient or prevents an increasing need for care
• have a strong interest in expanding their business to Germany
• are ready to fully commit to participate in the program including:
• advisory meetings (virtual)
• preparatory work
• kickoff, virtual and in-market programming

Your product / digital care app must have the following characteristics:

• reduce the impairments of a patient in need of care
• improve the independence and abilities of a patient in need of care
• assist family or other caregivers in order to stabilize the home care situation of the patient

The Trade Commissioner Service supports equity, diversity and inclusion in trade. We strongly encourage companies led by Canadians of all backgrounds to apply.

What you need to apply

How the program works

The program will offer customized virtual masterclass sessions from July to September 2023 that will require a commitment of about four hours per week. The CTA Digital Health Germany will establish tailored priorities for each company at the beginning of the program to develop your business strategy as well as advance your market entry, investment, and customer acquisition objectives. You will participate in:

• advisory meetings
• masterclass sessions
• opening and closing events
• a one-week in-market visit

This non-equity program is at no cost to Canadian companies beyond any individual travel costs they incur. Companies should plan to spend 5-7 days in Germany for in-person meetings, pitches and events.

What you will gain:

• in-depth knowledge of the regulatory pathway for “Prescribable Care Apps” in Germany;
• a deeper understanding of the commercial opportunities for your technology in the market;
• guidance on entering and navigating the German market;
• enhanced network development with relationships built to last outside of the program.

Contact us

Learn more about this program by contacting:

Silke Ditgen
Délégué commercial – Allemagne
Accélérateurs technologiques canadiens
silke.ditgen@international.gc.ca