DayOne Health 4.0 – your international digital health accelerator
Application is open from 21 June to 13 August 2023
Propelling digital health scale-ups in pharma
Welcome to DayOne Health 4.0. It is a six-month hybrid accelerator program in the Basel Area, Europe’s healthcare hub. We support startups innovating across the healthcare spectrum, from diagnosis to prevention, patient and caregiver communication, and support for healthcare professionals.
Join a diverse, global startup cohort to build transformational solutions. Our 2023 edition, running from September 2023 to March 2024, focuses on Artificial Intelligence, data, and digitally enhanced clinical development.
*By clicking the button you will be redirected to our partner F6S platform for the applications.
Here is what you get
Phase 1 (Mid-Sept to Mid-Nov):
It’s all about ‘Pharma 101’. We help you understand the pharma environment, plan how you will work with the industry, and come up with your own unique value offering.
Phase 2 (Mid-Nov to Mid-March 2024):
It’s ‘You 101’. We turn our focus on you, nurturing your strengths and aligning your business model for meaningful collaborations with pharma companies.

No equity, no fee
Our goal is your success with pure dedication to scaling your digital health venture.

2 phases, 1 goal
Discover pharma and shape yourself for successful collaboration.

Personalized coaching and mentoring
Find the best solutions for your venture with your personal coach and our advisors.

Direct access to our network
Gain access to our network of pharmaceutical and life sciences experts.

Innovation space
Work alongside entrepreneurs, coaches, and industry experts at the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area.

Enhanced visibility
Showcase your startup at DayOne events and increase your visibility towards investors, partners and users.
Who you are
- You are a startup with a digital health solution
- You already have a product or an available (preferably patented) technology
- You have secured some funding (preferably Series A / pre-Series B stage)
- You have a product ready to launch or launched in at least one market
- At least one of your founders can participate in the program and key events (e.g. interview with the selection committee, opening bootcamp, coaching and mentoring sessions, presentations to our partners)
Key dates
13 August 2023
Deadline to submit your application
21 August 2023
Interview with the selection committee (online)
11-12 September 2023
Bootcamp on Novartis campus to kick off phase 1 (Basel, in person)
Mid-March 2024
End of the accelerator program
10-11 April 2024
HealthX conference (Basel, in person)
Your 2023 application themes
The main cohort theme is harnessing AI, data, and digital tools to power clinical development and healthcare delivery with three key focus areas as below.
Harnessing AI, data, and digital tools to power clinical development and healthcare
Advancing clinical development
Harness data and clinical tools to improve endpoints
Reinventing clinical trials
Optimize patient identification, access and enrollment
Enhancing patient experience
Prioritize patient experience to boost outcomes
The transversal theme: simplifying operations
How to apply
Ready for the next step? Your success is only three steps away.
Submit online application
Our 2023 edition core theme is about diving into the fascinating world of “AI, data and digitally-enhanced clinical development”.
Await pre-selection
If your digital health solution fits our criteria, you could be pre-selected and invited to meet our committee.
Impress our committee
Now, you will have a chance to meet our experts and pitch your solution in a 20 to 30-minute presentation. We are choosing 15 startups for our 2023 run – good luck!
Partners
Supporting partners
Previous Partners
Karin Sartorius
Innovation Manager Life Sciences, Kanton Basel-Stadt
Janet Munro
Head Program Innovation, Global Drug Development, Novartis
Marlene Thomas
Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Strategy Lead, Roche
Francesc Calvo Serra
Digital Strategy Director, Novartis
Aude Clement
Global drug development & regulatory science
Shwen Gwee
Digital Health and Corporate Innovation Executive
Anne Kilburg
Advisor Digital Clinical Evidence Strategy
Alexander Klein
Group Leader Digital Health, Personalised Healthcare, Roche
Manuel Puntschuh
Founder, Dr. Puntschuh Digital & Health
Karin Sartorius
Innovation Manager Life Sciences, Kanton Basel-Stadt
Bram Stieltjes
Head Personalized Health Basel, Universitätsspital Basel
Caoimhe Vallely-Gilroy
Director Healthcare Innovation, DayOne
Fabio Cavalieri
Executive Director - Audit & Assurance, Mazars
FAQs
Who can apply?
Applications requirements:
• You are a startup with a digital health solution
• You already have a product or available (preferably patented) technology
• You have secured some funding (preferably Series A / pre-Series B stage)
• You have a product ready to launch or launched in at least one market
• At least one of your founders can participate in the program and key events (e.g. interview with the selection committee, opening boot camp, coaching and mentoring sessions, presentations to our partners)
• Your solution fits in the cohort theme
Can I apply with a solution that falls outside the annual theme?
We only accept applications within the theme. For the 2023/24 run, solutions of interest can include, but are not limited to:
• Novel biomarkers (digital, imaging)
• Patient-reported outcomes (PROMs)
• Stratification of patient population through AI algorithm
• Generative AI to support patients and healthcare professionals
• Remote patient monitoring
• Clinical trials workflow optimization through AI
If you have questions, please reach out to Cécile Tardy cecile.tardy@baselarea.swiss
How to apply?
The application process is as follows:
Step 1: Fill in the application form on the F6S platform. [https://www.f6s.com/dayone-health4.0/apply?ref=website] – deadline: 13 August 2023
Step 2: Pre-selection of up to 25 ventures for interviews
Step 3: Interview with our selection committee. Finally, 15 ventures selected for joining our fifth cohort in September 2023
How does the selection process works?
• All applications submitted within the timelines of the open call for applications (please see dates) will be reviewed.
• You will be notified whether your venture is pre-selected for an interview or not.
• Up to 25 ventures selected will be interviewed by our selection committee. Our panel of experts will assess each application based on its innovation level and its potential impact on healthcare. They will also verify that the application is aligned with the annual theme.
• We will notify the 15 selected ventures by email to confirm their participation in the program.
What’s the duration of the program? How do the different phases work?
The program is split into 2 phases:
Phase 1 (mid-September to mid-November 2023) – 15 startups At the end of this phase, the top 5 startups get selected for phase 2, based on their progression during phase 1 and their fit for potential collaboration with partners in our ecosystem
Phase 2 (mid-November to mid-March 2024) – Top 5 startups only Your fast track to pitching your venture at the HealthX conference on 10 and 11 April 2024. Impress 1’000+ participants from the European healthcare ecosystem.
What are the key dates for the 2023 program?
21 June-13 August 2023 eob – Open call for applications
21 August 2023 – Interview with the selection committee (online)
25 August 2023 – Confirmation of the 15 selected ventures
11-12 September 2023: Bootcamp on Novartis campus to kick off phase 1 (Basel, in person)
Mid-November 2023 – Top 5 selection for phase 2
Mid-March 2024 – end of the acceleration program
10-11 April 2024 – HealthX conference (Basel, in person)
Does our company need to relocate to Basel, Switzerland to be eligible for the program?
• Your can participate in the DayOne Health 4.0 acceleration program regardless of your location.
• If you have heard of the excellent quality of life in Switzerland and want to experience it first-hand, our colleagues from the International Markets team are here to assist you.
Does our company have to be in Basel, Switzerland, during the program?
Your company does not have to be based in Basel. Most of the workshops and mentoring sessions will be virtual. That said, there will be an in-person bootcamp to kick off the program (September 2023), and the HealthX conference (April 2024) will be in person as well.
What is expected from you during the program?
One of your founders (alternatively, a core member of your team) should be participating in the kick-off bootcamp, the coaching and mentoring sessions, be ready to pitch for the selection at the end of phase 1, and for the HealthX conference at the end of phase 2.
The program is streamlined and tailored to fit with the busy schedule of entrepreneurs in a scale-up phase. We have intentionally limited the number of group workshops, to put the emphasis on 1:1 coaching, mentoring and expert support to fit your needs of the moment.
Can I get support after the program?
After the program we are happy to keep giving you as much visibility as possible, eg. through networking events or presentations at conferences we are involved in. As an example, some of our alumni presented at the 2022 edition of Intelligent Health, the world’s leading AI in medicine summit series. Others were present at Reuters Pharma, the world’s leading cross-functional event for the pharma industry.
If your company is present in the Basel Area, we can support you through our free of charge Venture Mentoring services.
Alumni

Start your journey today
Cécile Tardy
Manager DayOne Digital Health Accelerator | Healthcare Innovation
*By clicking the button you will be redirected to our partner F6S platform for the applications.