Move Over Moon, the Sky’s the Limit for Digital Health

Is the moon just too close? And while it’s just an analogy, this amazing level of technological innovation combined with human drive and necessity just might put us beyond the moon and out beyond the reaches of Mars.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy declared to a crowd at Rice University that America would be going to the moon. Not because it’d be easy, but because it would be hard. And the fact that he didn’t have any idea how that would be accomplished made no difference at all. They’d figure it out as they went. As we say at NOSTALAB, they were pushed over the “practical ledge,” and forced to build wings on the way down. It’s this type of bold, imaginative thinking and risk-taking that we need in digital health where technology converges with health necessity to put us on a trajectory to change the world. And nuviun is building the connections to help move this idea beyond simple integrated thinking to a synchronized reality that is ready for liftoff!

But I wonder, is the moon just too close? And while it’s just an analogy, this amazing level of technological innovation combined with human drive and necessity just might put us beyond the moon and out beyond the reaches of Mars. In other words, is our moon shot really a Mars shot—or even beyond? We can no longer use the moon as a simple target, but merely as a point in a bold new trajectory that will lead us to transformational discoveries. JFK's moonshot for mankind is still alive and well today, but we must expand his thinking in the context of the wonders of technology. We must think bolder, reach farther and aim higher. 

“We can no longer use the moon as a simple target, but merely as a point in a bold new trajectory that will lead us to transformational discoveries. JFK's moonshot for mankind is still alive and well today, but we must expand his thinking in the context of the wonders of technology. We must think bolder, reach farther and aim higher.”

Rhetoric is important. The words we choose and the signals we send can set the framework for ambition and—in the final analysis—the results, too. And it might be time to substitute Kennedy’s thinking for that of new visionaries like Elon Musk or Peter Diamandis.

This bold thinking is happening today at HealthXL.

Here, the same type of innovative energy that Kennedy envisioned is now challenging the boundaries of reality to discover what could be if our imaginations and aspirations could actually be the driving forces behind innovation and the practical steps to getting there. HealthXL is driving the promise of digital health, and they’re using this thinking to aim at the moon, but looking toward the distant universe.

HealthXL is a launch pad for digital health innovation.

HealthXL was born of an awareness that digital health is a massive opportunity that requires collaboration between all stakeholder groups to impact the global healthcare challenge. As a result, its platform includes a collaboration between 11 of the largest healthcare corporations in the world, with a focus on creating a unified voice to lobby for change through the development of meaningful commercial projects. These strategic partners include:

• IBM
• GSK
• Novartis
• Cleveland Clinic
• Silicon Valley Bank
• Janssen Healthcare Innovation
• Bupa
• ICON PLC
• Linde Health
• NostaLab
• Partners HealthCare
• ResMed

Within this network, HEALTHXL connects key stakeholders with entrepreneurs to align critical resources in order to break down barriers and catalyze progress in digital health. As Martin Kelly, Co-Founder and CEO told me, “This level of global cooperation between corporations and entrepreneurs is completely new. We believe the HealthXL partners can bring together the best of corporate leadership with entrepreneurial energy to solve our biggest healthcare challenges.” 

Copyright © HealthXL 2013. Used with permission.

http://www.slideshare.net/tomsamparsons/healthxldecktwo

HealthXL sets the trajectory for greatness!

Moonshots are innovative projects with objectives that focus on the grand challenges in healthcare. These are submitted to HealthXL’s strategically aligned partners by entrepreneurs who seek the support of the partners’ resources. Projects are then selected based on common agreement from the partners, and supported by a collaborative network of peers from the HealthXL global mentor community. The initial focus is for projects with a global outlook in the areas of big data, remote monitoring and behavior change.

Copyright © HealthXL 2013. Used with permission.

http://www.slideshare.net/tomsamparsons/healthxldecktwo

How does the application and selection process work?

Selection is based on the feasibility of defined outcomes, milestones and required resources. The first step is to provide a 60-second video, which outlines the proposed idea/project and how it aligns with the moonshot objectives. The second step is an online meeting to explore the collaboration and business model with the partners. Those selected will be invited to Silicon Valley to meet with the strategic partners and leading digital health investors in Sept 2014. If selected, companies commit to attending a two-day event every quarter for the duration of their project and to cover their own travel costs. HealthXL does not charge applicant companies. The first two events will take place in the U.S. and Europe, and the rest will be decided based on the geographical spread of entrepreneurs in the program. Specific application instructions are available for those interested. The deadline for video submissions is July 15, 2014—so, it’s ignition time!

As one of the global digital health mentors, I attended the recent HealthXL Global Gathering 2014 in Dublin, Ireland, where partners and digital health innovators came together. There was a true sense of excitement, purpose and a vision—a vision of a bold reality that lies ahead. We all looked up at the sky and put the moon in our sights, but knew we all were looking at a journey that would take us far beyond.

Thanks for the launch pad HealthXL. It’s t-minus 10, 9, 8, 7…