Almost All HealthTech Companies Outsource to Grow. What Does This Mean for Service Providers?
The digital health space is evolving and increasingly integrating with the broader healthcare ecosystem. While this presents exciting opportunities, it also introduces new challenges for HealthTech companies. As the demand for specialized skills, resources, and expertise grows, the need for external support services is becoming more essential than ever.
As HealthTech integrates more deeply with the broader healthcare sector, the need for specialized support has significantly increased, helping companies navigate this increasingly complex landscape. Offering essential services in business strategy, technology development, compliance, and regulatory affairs, a growing market of specialized service providers is targeting HealthTech companies, addressing the rising demand and presenting valuable opportunities for expansion.
The Growing Need for External Support
According to R2G’s whitepaper “Digital Health Startups: Outsourcing Needs“, 94% of digital health startups and established players have turned to outsourcing over the past two years. The research also reveals that decision-makers in the digital health market are aware of the costs associated with outsourcing and typically allocate significant budgets averaging USD 230K for technical and business growth projects. These numbers highlight the substantial outsourcing potential in the global digital health industry, offering startups access to external expertise.
Scaling a digital health company now requires more than securing clients or investments – it’s about meeting the industry’s evolving needs. Startups need help with advanced areas such as regulatory compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, DiGA), AI integration, and clinical study support, making the role of service providers essential for long-term success. (For more, see “What Top 10 service areas will be most in demand in the next 12 months?” R2GConnect Analysis)
How R2GConnect Supports the Growth of Service Providers
With over 8,400 digital health startups and scaleups on the platform, service providers can connect with a thriving ecosystem where the need for specialized support continues to grow. Whether it’s co-development, regulatory consulting, market access, or technology development, this expanding network presents ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Since the launch of the new “Deals” service in June 2024, R2GConnect has facilitated 83 special deals from service providers, helping startups and scaleups accelerate their progress. These deals cover key areas vital to growth, such as telemedicine software development, cloud infrastructure optimization, and product roadmap consultation.
Some of the active deals currently available on the platform include:
- “Free Consultation with Data Protection Expert (GDPR/HIPAA/DiGA/PECAN/NHS)” by Chino.io
- “Free one hour computer vision consultation with an industry expert” by Punktum
- “Clinical Evaluation Status Check (MDR/FDA)” by Innokas Medical
- “Attract and Retain More Patients with a Scalable EHR/CRM Platform Powered by Advanced Analytics: 50% Discount on Standard Implementation plan* plus 1 Month Free” by Welkin Health
- “Tailored product discovery packages for healthcare startups” by Orangesoft
All the deals can be viewed, here
Responding to the Growing Needs of Startups
As the HealthTech market continues to evolve, so does the range of external support required. Specialized service providers play a critical role in helping digital health companies meet these challenges. Companies like Cogniss and bene : studio offer medical app development, while Chino.io ensures security and compliance, Vertrical and Labquality focus on product validation and quality assurance, and firms like Welkin Health enables scalable patient care through automation and personalization.
Additional services such as AI and machine learning solutions from providers like Rocketloop or GrayLight, agile design & development from companies like Punktum and Innokas Medical, as well as market access consulting, are increasingly in demand. Regulatory expertise, clinical study support, and effective marketing strategies are also crucial for navigating the complex healthtech landscape.
Collaborating for Success
R2GConnect facilitates meaningful partnerships by providing a platform for service providers to offer tailored services to digital health companies. This approach enables providers to stay responsive to market demands, fostering long-term relationships that promote mutual growth.
More information for service providers on R2GConnect can be found here.
