Startup Creasphere: Our global open innovation platform

Two people are engaged in a discussion at a table, one with a sticker-covered laptop. A screen behind them displays radar to health signal data.

published

When we began to explore the promising field of digital health, we realized we needed to challenge our innovation approach to augment, enhance, and expand our portfolio through new digital business opportunities.

This is why we decided to seek new ways of collaborating with startups, which bring along very complementary strengths to ours: They think out-of-the-box, focus on novel opportunities, and have fast processes in place, which are all great assets in a field that is evolving so rapidly.

Our approach to external innovation

This figure shows a reversed pyramid (the top of the pyramid facing down) split in two parts: on the left the internal innovation activities (R&D) at Roche, and on the right the external innovation activities led with partners. The bottom of the reversed pyramid is where ideas are generated, and the top is where solutions come out of these ideas. Startup engagement models are shown on the right side and on the bottom part of the reversed pyramid, as they enable to explore new technologies, medical needs and business model ideas in collaboration with external startups. These engagements can evolve into broader partnering activities (moving toward the top of the pyramid), ultimately contributing to the launch of innovative solutions, and the realization of these ideas.

Created in 2018, Startup Creasphere has grown into a recognized global open innovation program, through which more than 100 startups have already participated across the globe. Through this program, we have worked on pilot projects with participating startups covering a wide range of technologies and capabilities in digital health that challenge clinical practices, improve data analytics, and enhance the patient journey across the continuum of care.

Focus areas

Advanced data analytics

Digital biomarkers

Lab of the future

Disease management

Clinical decision support

Digital service solutions

Many of these pilot projects have evolved into broader collaborations that live on today, helping us strengthen our footprint in the digital health market and thereby actively shape the patient care of tomorrow.

Startup Creasphere in a nutshell

0:00 - 0:05: Startup Creasphere

0:05 - 0:07: (Video plays)

0:07 - 0:08: Digital health

0:08 - 0:14: When Roche began to explore the promising field of digital health, it became clear that a new approach to innovation was needed

0:14 - 0:18: to enhance its core portfolio and uncover new digital business models.

0:18 - 0:21: Roche seeks collaboration with startups who bring speed and creativity to this rapidly evolving space.

0:21 - 0:24: (Video plays)

0:24 - 0:28: Roche Startup Creasphere

0:28 - 0:35: Founded by Roche, this led to the launch of Startup Creasphere in 2018.

0:35 - 0:37: (Video plays)

0:37 - 0:40: One of the largest innovation platforms for digital health solutions globally.

0:40 - 0:42: By combining

0:42 - 0:47: (Video plays)

0:47 - 0:48: pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.

0:48 - 0:51: Innovation Collaboration Impact

0:51 - 0:58: Startup Creasphere's mission is clear: to connect innovative startups with Roche, fostering collaboration that transforms healthcare and improves patients' lives worldwide.

0:58 - 1:03: Startup Creasphere offers a variety of collaboration streams tailored to the strategic needs of Roche and startups.

1:03 - 1:05: These include co-creation of solution concepts.

1:05 - 1:12: User and market testing with customers.

1:12 - 1:16: Technical evaluations.

1:16 - 1:20: Innovation challenges.

1:20 - 1:25: (Video plays)

1:25 - 1:29: Startup Creasphere is continuously scouting for the best startups in specific focus areas defined by the Roche business teams.

1:29 - 1:37: They aim leveraging new solutions based on software, algorithms, AI, and sensors to optimize their internal processes as well as improve patients' lives.

1:37 - 1:45: Focus areas: Advanced data analytics, Clinical decision support, Disease management, Digital biomarkers, Lab of the future.

1:45 - 1:55: (Video plays)

1:55 - 2:01: During the innovation program, the startups and dedicated pilot owners coming from the business and R&D teams of Roche work on a pilot project together.

2:01 - 2:06: This co-creation process is accompanied by a mentoring and coaching program for the startups.

2:06 - 2:09: Follow-up options : Co-Distribution, Co-Development, Supplier relationship, Partnership, Acquisition.

2:09 - 2:16: At the end of the program, Roche and startups jointly decide on a path forward.

*Depending on the pilot project outcome and willingness between the two parties to pursue a longer collaboration.

2:18 - 2:20: A global network of innovation

2:20 - 2:28: Our global program is amplified by local innovation hubs and satellite events, fostering engagement, sharing expertise, and driving collective impact in healthcare.

2:28 - 2:34: That ultimately culminates in transforming healthcare together.

2:34 - 2:38: Startup Creasphere

Startup Creasphere offers a variety of collaboration approaches based on our strategic needs and the challenges we are aiming to solve in healthcare through the program. Selected startups can take part in our integrated program by invitation only, whereas innovation challenges follow a call-for-application.

Two innovation tracks

A diverse group of people in a bright meeting room, with one smiling man in focus, surrounded by bottles, notepads, and a whiteboard with notes.

Series

The integrated innovation program behind Startup Creasphere

Through Startup Creasphere, Roche engages with digital health startups worldwide to pilot their technology and co-create new solutions. Over time, it has developed from a program within specific locations to a globally integrated program, offering participating startups a well-organized co-creation framework for a time-boxed collaboration (typically three to four months) with Roche, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities around the world.

A woman with short hair and glasses actively draws on a large board filled with colorful, illustrated notes and diagrams, focused on visual storytelling in a workshop setting.

Series

The innovation challenges behind Startup Creasphere

Details about the Startup Creasphere innovation challenges and their methodology

What our leaders say

[Potrait] Thomas Schinecker — Dr. Thomas Schinecker
CEO Roche Group

[Potrait] Severin Schwan — Dr. Severin Schwan
Chairman of the board of directors of Roche Holding AG

[Potrait] Silke Hoernstein — Dr. Silke Hörnstein
Global Head of Strategy & Sustainability Roche Group

Gallery

A man in a blue shirt takes a photo with a smartphone during a conference. The blurred speaker stands in front of a screen, conveying a focused learning atmosphere.

Woman in a red jacket speaking passionately into a microphone at an indoor event. The background is softly blurred, highlighting her engaging expression.

A person writes "Roche" with a black marker on a large whiteboard. The board features doodles and words like "Decision support" and "Startup Community."

A woman with glasses creatively illustrates on a large board filled with vibrant drawings and text. The room is softly lit, creating an inspiring ambiance.

Our team

Based in Rotkreuz, Switzerland.

Mathieu Chaffard, Digital Ecosystem Innovation Manager APAC/EMEA

Contact us

Roche Diagnostics International Ltd.
Forrenstrasse 2
6343 Rotkreuz
Switzerland

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