what we do

1. we continuously monitor the digital health ecosystem in NRW
2. we connect dedicated entrepreneurs and innovators with key players in the health industry
3. we provide hands-on training in healthcare regulation, approval procedures and essential digital health-related standards
4. we connect start-ups with patient pools and provide real labs to test innovative ideas and get instant feedback

who we are

the Digital Health Ecosystem NRW – Fokus Start-ups 2025 project is carried out by the Junior Professorship of Health and E-Health of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. It is funded by the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy.

our board members include:

• Zerrin Börcek, founder and CEO, fe:male Innovation Hub and Teresa.AI
• Frank Willems, founder and CEO of Medipee
• Prof. Dr. Frank Schmitz, founder and Professor of Health Management and Marketing at the Hochschule Gesundheit Bochum
• Prof. Dr. David Matusiewicz, Dean and Scientific Director of the ifgs Institute for Health and Social Affairs, FOM Essen
• Ellen Dörr, Referat 415 of the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy
• Josef Steffens, Referat 811 of the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy