Challenge: Global Health

Is your startup based in Germany and interested in operating as a business or establishing R&D cooperation in Brazil? DWIH São Paulo is searching for innovative solutions that contribute to global health. Startups led by researchers, with ongoing academic activity or recent graduates from scientific institutions, will be prioritized.

Global health addresses the challenges of global public health, promoting collaborative actions to prevent diseases, reduce inequalities in access to healthcare services, and strengthen care systems. In an interconnected world, the isolated actions of countries or institutions are insufficient, as highlighted by the specialized literature: “global health is largely shaped by collaborative governance, where leading stakeholders acknowledge that unilateral agency is ineffective”[1]. Its relevance lies in its capacity to promote equity, health security, and sustainable development, tackling challenges such as pandemics, humanitarian crises, climate change, pollution, scientific skepticism, aging populations, and barriers to access to medicines. Historically neglected issues, such as women’s health, are gaining attention, with increasing focus on menstrual, maternal, reproductive, and mental health. By integrating knowledge, cooperation, and innovation, global health becomes a strategic field for our collective future.

Brazil, with its diverse population and continental dimensions, faces complex public health challenges, such as regional inequalities and the rise of chronic diseases and mental health issues in vulnerable populations. At the same time, it leads initiatives that inspire other countries. The Unified Health System (SUS) ensures free access to healthcare for over 190 million people, while the country stands out for its immunization program, local production of vaccines and medicines, and robust epidemiological surveillance. Institutions like Fiocruz and Instituto Butantan lead research in infectious diseases, public health, and biotechnology. This context creates a fertile environment for innovation, with opportunities for large-scale trials, direct societal impact, and strategic collaborations within a dynamic ecosystem.

Startups play a central role in this transformation, developing solutions ranging from telemedicine and AI diagnostics to epidemiological surveillance, hospital management, and process automation. Technologies such as wearable devices, virtual health assistants, and predictive analytics are optimizing data collection, prevention, and real-time monitoring, even in highly vulnerable contexts. Innovations in digital mental health, sustainability in medical supply chains, and personalized medicine further enhance the potential of startups to make health systems more resilient, connected, and equitable. Innovation driven by startups is a key driver in addressing the challenges of global health and strengthening more inclusive, intelligent, and sustainable systems.

Challenge “Global Health”

In 2025, the DWIH network, composed of the German Center for Research and Innovation São Paulo and other five units in other countries, adopted “Global Health” as its central theme.

By promoting the “Global Health” challenge through Startups Connected, the open innovation program of the German-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry São Paulo (AHK São Paulo), DWIH São Paulo aims to encourage German startups based on scientific research that offer global health solutions to also operate in Brazil.

The subscribed startup must offer an innovative solution that contributes to global health. This could include advancements in disease prevention, digital health tools, improving access to vaccines and medicines, promoting mental health, addressing health disparities, combating antimicrobial resistance, advancing women’s health (including maternal and reproductive care), and tackling the health impacts of climate change, such as air pollution and extreme weather events. Additionally, supporting environmental health and promoting sustainability in healthcare systems are also key focus areas.

The startup is expected to be interested in operating as a business, as well as in establishing R&D cooperation in Brazil. To this end, the startup must be willing to participate in the DWIH São Paulo roadshow, offered in partnership with the German-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry São Paulo (AHK São Paulo).

[1] Franz, Christian; Holzscheiter, Anna; Kickbusch. Germany’s role in global health at a critical juncture. The Lancet, v.  04, 10447, p.82-94, 2024.