Dive Brief:
- Digital health funding hit a new high last year, climbing to $1.92 billion in 2013, according to a report from Rock Health, a digital health start up seed fund; that's up 35% from 2012 and more than 100% since 2011.
- According to Rock, 195 digital health deals above $2 million took place in 2013. The main concepts attracting funding included EMR/clinical workflow; analytics/big data; digital medical devices; wearables/biosensing; population health management; and healthcare consumer engagement (purchasing of health insurance and healthcare services and products)
- Along with conventional funding, crowdfunding for digital health is on the rise, the report said. During 2013, Rock Health tracked 120 campaigns raising $9.2 million, 85% on Indiegogo.
Dive Insight:
I take this report with a pinch of salt, given the obvious interest a digital health start up seed fund has in promoting the growth of the space. That being said, the digital health world is obviously in a ferment, with much entrepreneurial activity and new solutions for digital health evolving quickly. Sci-fi style adventures such as wearable technology may take a while to emerge, but it's clear that other categories Rock has identified -- such as population health management and EMR/clinical workflow -- are here today and have tangible customers. If you're going to watch this space, start there.