TOP 10 SERVICE AREAS IN DEMAND BY HEALTHTECH COMPANIES

The number of healthtech companies is growing worldwide. With it, a specialized and large service provider market has developed in recent years. A new analysis of healthtech companies on R2GConnect shows in which service areas digital health companies need support. The top 10 service areas in demand offer insight into what these companies value most as they scale and innovate.

There are now hundreds of thousands of healthtech companies offering apps, sensors, and other services. Most companies are still in the startup phase. However, most already generate sales and/or have funds from financing rounds (60%/80% of healthtech companies on R2GConnect). As a result, healthtech companies worldwide represent an attractive target group for service providers with special offers for the healthtech industry.

What service areas will be most in demand in the next 12 months? The following results of service needs come from an analysis of the healthtech companies registered on the R2GConnect platform (n = 1,000).

Top 10 Service Areas in Demand by HealthTech Companies in the next 12 months

1. Investor Search & Fundraising (47%) – Nearly half of HealthTech companies prioritize investor search and fundraising to secure capital for scaling their innovations. This often involves attracting venture capital, angel investors, or private equity funding.
2. Lead Generation & Sales (28%) – Effective lead generation and sales support are key for 28% of companies, helping them target potential customers like pharma companies, patients, hospitals, and healthcare providers. Service providers (e.g. consultants, HCP and patient network organizations, app store marketing service providers) are asked to identify the right markets and execute strong sales strategies.
3. Acceleration & Incubation (24%) – With 24% seeking acceleration and incubation, HealthTech companies leverage mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities to fast-track growth. Startups benefit significantly from these programs to build connections and validate their ideas. A service often provided by corporate accelerator programs.
4. Clinical Study Support (19%) – Clinical study support is requested by 19% of companies, ensuring that new medical products meet regulatory standards. Large but also new and digital-first CROs and clinical trial solution vendors are supporting these startups.
5. Product Validation & Quality Assurance (19%) – For 19% of HealthTech firms, product validation and quality assurance are essential to ensure their solutions meet industry standards. Companies typically get help from patient organizations or consultants.
6. Market Access Support (19%) – Market access support, needed by 19% of companies, helps firms navigate reimbursement models, pricing strategies, and distribution channels to effectively launch in new regions. Services are typically provided by specialized consultants.
7. Health IT Infrastructure Services (16%) – Around 16% of HealthTech companies need expertise in setting up robust IT systems, including electronic health records, telemedicine platforms, and cybersecurity measures.
8. Regulatory Advice (15%) – Regulatory advice helps 15% of companies navigate healthcare laws and regional regulations, ensuring their products comply with global standards like HIPAA or GDPR.
9. Compliance Advice (14%) – 14% of companies require compliance advice to align their operations with healthcare regulations, avoiding legal risks and penalties while preparing for market entry.
10. Reimbursement Pathway Support (14%) – Lastly, 14% of HealthTech companies focus on reimbursement pathways including DIGA or PECAN support to ensure their products qualify for insurance coverage, essential for adoption by healthcare providers and patients. Typically provided by consultants, legal advisors, or software platform providers.

Less Requested Service Areas by HealthTech Companies

While the top 10 service areas address the most critical needs for HealthTech companies, several other service areas are in demand, albeit to a lesser extent. Medical app development, for example, is requested by 12% of companies. Although apps are essential to many digital health solutions, particularly in patient engagement and telemedicine, HealthTech companies may prioritize more immediate operational needs in the next twelve months, such as securing funding or navigating regulatory hurdles.

Other areas like access to AI technology platforms (9%) and access to healthcare professionals (HCPs), coaches, and patients (9%) reflect the growing interest in advanced technologies and user engagement. Yet, they are still emerging needs compared to more fundamental business services. Additionally, access to patient data (8%) and IP protection & legal advice (8%) are also relatively lower priorities, likely due to companies focusing more on scaling and funding before diving deeper into specific technological or legal challenges. Interestingly, administrative functions such as recruitment support (2%) and business admin (4%) rank the lowest, as these are often outsourced or managed internally at a later stage of growth.

Service providers can use the R2GConnect partnership matching platform to make service offers to thousands of healthtech companies through deals and thereby gain new partnerships and customers.

More information for service providers on R2GConnect can be found here. https://www.r2gconnect.com/service-provider-info-r2gconnect