A large number of startups is actively developing innovative services and leveraging the latest technology to provide improved tools for taking care of health and wellness. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in society’s awareness regarding the significance of adopting healthy lifestyle habits and engaging in physical exercise, as they positively impact both physical and mental wellbeing. As a result, there is a growing demand for services that facilitate and promote an active and healthy lifestyle.
In the Valencian tech and innovation ecosystem, startups operating in the health and wellness sector have worked to provide these services and make them accessible to the wider population. Carlos Laserna, co-founder of INDYA, believes that “startups have the opportunity and the responsibility to bridge the digital divide by simplifying processes and minimising friction, thus enabling society to easily access and embrace new technologies.” Similarly, Sergio Brisa, CEO of Miobio, echoes this sentiment by emphasising that “numerous startups have worked towards ensuring that the transition the population makes towards these services and technologies is seamless and effortless.”
However, José Miguel Ferrer, CIO and co-founder of Green Urban Data, acknowledges that in the field of environmental data in cities, “it remains challenging to consistently integrate and prioritise the use of such data, but advancements are being made in tandem with the evolution of smart cities“.
Valencian startups associated with Startup Valencia are addressing society’s imperative to improve health and well-being through various avenues. Startups such as Miobio, INDYA, and iNuba focus on nutrition and sports-related solutions, Rosita Longevity caters to active ageing, while Green Urban Data specialises in assessing the benefits provided by urban green areas.
The pursuit of wellbeing extends beyond individual personal lives, and has even become a prominent trend in the business field as well. Pablo Honrubia, CEO and co-founder of iNuba, emphasises that “by offering personalised interventions and tailored solutions based on identified needs, businesses can foster talent retention, improve overall wellbeing, and boost productivity.“
Innovation in the ecosystem
When it comes to the most prevalent technologies in this field, the majority of startups integrate Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Machine Learning into their services. By leveraging these tools, they can provide prompt, tailored solutions to users in real time.
Alberto López, Social Media Manager at Rosita Longevity, highlights that “Our ecosystem has historically been recognised for its emphasis on technology and innovation, leading to a growing interest in the digitalisation of healthcare. Fortunately, the sector is experiencing a surge of support from public institutions, universities, and research centres in the Valencian Community. This concerted effort aims to foster innovation in the health and wellness sector, fuelling the establishment of new companies and the development of tech solutions“.
López also points out the technological challenges faced by companies offering such services: “Guaranteeing the privacy and security of patients’ health data, as well as maintaining the quality and accuracy of information provided by tech solutions, is crucial to ensure their effective and ethical use“.
According to the Report from the Startup Observatory of the Valencian Community, compiled by Startup Valencia, the health and wellness sector ranks as the third most prominent industry for startups in the region. It accounts for 7.58% of the registered companies in the observatory, trailing only the software and mobile application development sectors.
In the view of Startup Valencia’s technology companies operating in the health and wellness sector, the inclusion of health and wellness as a prominent theme in events like the Valencia Digital Summit holds great significance, since, as Carlos Laserna points out: “There is an abundance of talent and disruptive solutions that need to be showcased to raise funds, foster development and add value to the ecosystem“.
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