Inside H4 – A Startup’s Story: Healium

At H4 – h4vd.ch, we believe that the field is the best innovation lab. That’s why we offer a unique hands-on experience, focused on immersion and exchange with the world of healthcare and medicine.
The goal: to help startups validate their assumptions, adjust their value proposition, and gain relevance  faster.

Today, a startup that went through H4 shares its feedback. In just a few simple questions, it reflects on what this immersion changed for them.

Can you introduce yourself in a few words: who are you and what does your startup do?

At Healium, we develop connected medical devices to improve the quality of life of chronic patients and their loved ones.
Our first product, Medicase, is the first 100% automated portable pill dispenser, which helps patients — particularly elderly people — take the right medication, at the right dosage, at the right time.
Through a mobile app, relatives can track treatment adherence in real time and be notified in case of a missed dose or anomaly.

What convinced you to join H4 and meet caregivers in the field?

H4 offered us valuable access to the field and to future users: home nurses, pharmacists, patients.
It was also thanks to their support that we obtained the FIT Impact Grant (CHF 10,000), which financed our first user test. This test was decisive in moving our product development forward on solid ground.

How did the hands-on experience go? Was there a meeting or moment that stood out for you?

Ten participants (5 caregivers, 5 patients) tested our prototype as well as our monitoring software.
This hands-on trial helped highlight both potential adoption barriers and the differentiating strengths of our solution. Feedback on ergonomics and ease of use was overall very positive.

How did this direct contact with healthcare professionals influence your project?

This usability test was essential to fine-tune our user interface and maximize product acceptability.
In addition, H4 gave us access to interviews with insurance companies and pharmaceutical laboratories, which helped us refine our business model and explore new use cases.

And now, what are the next steps for your startup after the H4 experience?

We are preparing a pilot field study for this fall.
Our new functional prototype is currently being manufactured, and at the same time we are starting regulatory procedures for certification as a medical device.

What message would you send to a startup considering going through H4?

H4 is the ideal partner to quickly confront your project with real-world conditions.
It is also direct access to a strong medical network. For any health startup, I highly recommend the experience.