Covid-19 shook up healthcare across the globe. It pushed institutions everywhere to realize they needed advanced digital solutions for remote care. The shift felt sudden for many, with hasty investments and changes taking place. But in the Nordics, startups were already ahead of the curve, planning for this transformation long before the pandemic hit.
In the Nordics, tech like artificial intelligence, virtual wards, and remote monitoring was already considered the future of healthcare. Innovators from the region stepped up to fill the gaps during the pandemic and keep the momentum going after it. Martin Ratz, co-founder of Doccla, a virtual ward provider in Europe and the UK’s NHS, noted, “The digital health market is expanding at around 25% annually from 2019 to 2025.” He pointed out the challenges facing health systems: an ageing population, rising chronic illnesses, and the backlog caused by the pandemic. “We need a philosophical shift in healthcare,” he said, emphasizing a move towards preventive care enabled by technology.
Espen Janson, CEO and co-founder of Napper, highlighted what sets the Nordics apart: “Here, we prioritize collaboration and trust in technology, supported by a solid social safety net. Governments invest in public health and infrastructure, promoting transparency, data privacy, and patient empowerment.”
Doccla emerged in 2019, ahead of the Covid crisis. Ratz shared that the idea was born out of a personal experience after his heart attack. He realized the need for technology that allows patients to recover at home with high-quality care. When the pandemic hit, they swiftly adapted their virtual ward model from heart patients to Covid-19 care, providing hospital-level support in the comfort of patients’ homes.
Ratz explained, “The pandemic fast-tracked the adoption of digital technology that had lingered in the background for years. What could have taken years was accomplished in months.”
Then there’s Napper, which also sprang up in 2019. The pandemic prompted a rapid acceptance of healthcare-focused apps and devices. Janson’s team used this momentum to create solutions for new parents facing stress and sleep deprivation. Their Napper App, an AI-driven sleep coach, helps roughly 200,000 users monthly tackle sleep issues for their little ones and recover some of the sleepless nights many parents endure.
As telehealth and remote monitoring became standard, Janson noted the greater need for accessible, personalized care. “Digital innovation through AI can provide tailored recommendations to improve outcomes and ease the burden on healthcare pros.”
Miika Mäkitalo, CEO of HappyOrNot, echoed this sentiment. His company’s tools, already familiar in many settings, adapted during the pandemic to help hospitals stay connected to patients. They launched the Smiley Link, allowing feedback through a quick QR code scan. This development created a dynamic feedback loop between patients and providers, helping institutions respond to needs in real-time.
Investment in Nordic healthtech has soared, with $10.6 million in 2022 alone, and in Sweden, electronic prescriptions are the norm. Ratz described a healthcare culture that revolves around collaboration and patient-centricity. “It allows for innovation and improvement without political hurdles.”
Mäkitalo added that healthcare technology is viewed positively in the Nordics. “We’re not just leading in innovation— we’re showing how to integrate these advancements in healthcare systems effectively.”
High digital literacy and supportive infrastructure make the Nordics ripe for ongoing innovation. Janson summarized, “In Nordic healthcare, we foster a culture of collaboration and efficiency, prioritizing patient care while encouraging tech solutions that make a real difference.”