Can the healthtech sector maintain its momentum?
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Health is typically one aspect of life that most people only consider when things go wrong, this is true on an individual level and on a governmental level, as became starkly clear when the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the underfunding of healthcare systems around the world.
As resources were redirected to deal with the rise in Covid-19 patients, doctors and hospitals had little time to deal with patients suffering from other ailments. Coupled with the lockdowns and the fear of contracting the virus in public spaces, the only viable solution was virtual healthcare. Telemedicine, virtual consultations and e-pharmacies have gained popularity over this past year and are becoming an increasingly important pillar of the global healthcare system.
Pitching to a potential investor is a daunting experience at the best of times. Some eager entrepreneurs in Dubai recently took it up a notch by delivering high-pressure elevator pitches at an altitude of 4,000 metres, in the hopes of taking home mentorship and a cash prize.
To enter the Pitch Up In The Sky competition, an event where skydiving meets Dragon s Den, companies had to have less than $500,000 in funding, be from the Middle East or Africa and be focused on healthcare, education, artificial intelligence, media & entertainment or transportation.
Finalists were selected by an impressive panel of judges, including the inventor of Google Maps, Lars Rasmussen; the first investor of Zoom, Bill Tai; and a founding executive of Netflix, Mitch Lowe.