The healthcare industry has transformed in recent years, in large part due to the innovations originating from forward-thinking health tech companies. Healthcare startups are especially well-positioned to leverage modern technology in order to solve systemic problems or develop new methods of care. The increased use of telemedicine, personalized patient management, and wearable devices are just a few examples of how healthtech startups are actively benefiting patients and practitioners alike. Given the importance of this space in the future of medicine, it’s natural that some doctors are looking to take more of an active role in startup medical companies.
“Healthcare startups are increasingly attracting physician leaders. They offer opportunities to innovate and improve patient care. Many doctors are leveraging their clinical expertise to shape digital health solutions. The sector is growing rapidly, making it a promising frontier for medical professionals,” wrote a doctor of Otonaringology in a discussion with fellow members of the Sermo community.
The physician’s urge to have more of a say in the trajectory of startups is not yet a widespread phenomenon. A poll of Sermo members found that 58% of participants have no current involvement in healthcare startups. But, the remaining physician responses are a clear sign of how the scope of a physician’s role is likely to change in the future. 24% of those physicians polled have either founded, advised, invested in, or worked with a startup, and 17% have at least explored the opportunity.
In this article, we’ll explain how the best healthcare startups are disrupting the med-space, which areas would be most impacted by physician leadership, and the challenges doctors should be aware of before transitioning from a clinic to an office.
Top 8 healthcare startups in 2026
There are countless startup medical companies looking to make inroads into the industry, but there are a select few that are utilizing modern tools to improve specific elements of the healthcare process. Here are some of the top healthcare tech companies to watch in 2026:
AI & clinical intelligence
Tempus
Founded in 2015, Tempus uses artificial intelligence to quickly process clinical and genomic data to help physicians make more informed, real-time decisions on patient care. AI-enabled analytics and algorithmic models provide valuable insights that enable doctors to make more accurate diagnoses, predict treatment responses, and connect patients to clinical trials.
Hinge Health
Hinge Health is a clinic that specializes in musculoskeletal (MSK) care. Founded in 2014 by Daniel Perez and Gabriel Mecklenburg, the clinic delivers personalized virtual physical therapy sessions where each patient receives support from a licensed physical therapist, health coach, orthopedic specialist, and an AI care assistant. 3D motion tracking allows therapists to evaluate patient movement in real-time and help their sessions become more productive. Hinge Health is available at no cost through many employers and health plans, demonstrating how clinical pathways can be redesigned at scale to make care more accessible to patients.
Telehealth & virtual care
Ro
Ro launched in 2017 with the goal of removing as many of the barriers that prevent people from exploring their care options as possible. Their verticalized telehealth model streamlines the care process by allowing patients to receive care for a variety of conditions without leaving their homes. Licensed healthcare providers can create personalized treatment plans through online consultations and send medications directly to their door.
Doctolib
Doctolib was created in 2014 to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers in Europe. The platform connects users with medical professionals based on their location, speciality, and availability, and empowers them to set up virtual consultations within their daily schedule.
Digital therapeutics & chronic care
Noom
Noom has been in business since 2008 and is one of the more well-known healthcare startups in the market. It is a digital platform that exemplifies how evidence-based care can produce improved outcomes outside of traditional clinics. It takes a psychological approach to encouraging positive behavioral changes in dieting and exercise. The platform delivers daily lessons on food and workouts, as well as access to licensed experts and medication delivery to help each patient build better habits as they work to achieve their weight loss goals.
Devoted Health
Founded by brothers Todd and Ed Park in 2017, Devoted Health uses advanced technology that integrates care delivery and insurance to provide Medicare Advantage plans for seniors. The startup provides virtual and in-home care via its internal medical group, ensuring coordinated care for each patient. Every Devoted Health plan also comes with access to member guides, customer service agents who help schedule appointments and manage medications.
Health access & care navigation
Zocdoc
Zocdoc is the oldest company in this list, having been established in 2007. It is a free platform that helps prospective patients find providers and book appointments. Users can search for medical professionals based on a number of factors and read verified reviews to make informed care choices. The booking process is further streamlined with real-time physician availability checks, scheduling reminders, and the option to fill out intake forms digitally.
Pristyn Care
Pristyn Care started in 2018, offering an asset-light surgical care delivery model that demonstrates an innovative approach to care pathways. The healthcare provider supplies minimally invasive treatments for many conditions through their network of over 150 clinics and 800 partner hospitals. Pristyn Care also assists patients with insurance paperwork, transportation, and follow-ups, easing the burden typically associated with the healthcare process.
High-potential areas for physician-led innovation
The input of physicians is vital to the success of any healthcare startup. Your perspective, knowledge, and clinical judgement can help startup medical companies verify that their services are offering practical solutions to fill operational gaps. Positive physician relationships with patients make it more likely that patients will adopt cutting-edge services that they may be more wary of without the recommendation of a trusted doctor.
“Physician involvement in healthcare startups not only lends an air of legitimacy, it can also provide an important grounding in clinical/patient care-based knowledge,” affirmed a GP on Sermo.
The impact of physician involvement in startups is more apparent in some sectors than others. We asked physicians on Sermo which areas they felt had the highest potential to benefit from physician-led innovation. Here are the options they chose, listed in order of which option received the highest percentage of votes.
AI diagnostics & clinical workflow automation (32%)
The incorporation of artificial intelligence has the potential to transform healthcare workflows for the better, assisting physicians in diagnosing and managing serious conditions at the earliest stages. The technology is still relatively new, but startups like Tempus and Medi Builder are already proving to be powerful tools that expand the capabilities of medical science.
“As an ophthalmologist, I have been involved in a start-up developing technology to diagnose common retinal pathologies—such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma—using cameras that capture color fundus images,” explained an ophthalmologist. “The impact of AI in my field is remarkable, as these devices can be used by primary care physicians or other specialists to screen patients and refer them to an ophthalmologist when necessary.”
AI can be a catalyst for incredible breakthroughs, but to maximize the potential of this technology, it must be paired with a pro-patient mindset to ensure that the goal of developing the technology always centers on improving clinical operations and patient outcomes first and foremost.
Digital therapeutics & remote care (16%)
The convenience and speed of telehealth services have made it an increasingly popular segment of the healthcare industry. Finding new ways to deliver better care with more efficiency is important to improving patient outcomes, and the physicians who work within the processes of remote care should have deeper insights into the medspace and where the gaps in coverage are. The presence of physicians in startups can also be useful to advocate for better features despite their effect on the bottom line.
“I’ve worked for almost 3 years for a startup. Even if I think that remote care has the most financial potential, I believe that patient education and prevention are the real keys, but unfortunately, less profitable,” said one GP.
Chronic disease management (15%)
Health technology startups are a fertile place to use modern tools to track the trajectory of chronic diseases and any medications being used to manage the issue. Patient data can be tracked and recorded with greater immediacy, enabling medical professionals to coordinate care and respond more quickly to any sudden changes in a patient’s health.
Medical education or training technology (14%)
Incorporating physician coaching from professionals currently in the field into medical education programs can ensure care continuity across organizations and help young doctors adjust to the realities of the job. Participating in the development of training courses ensures that the material is designed to teach medical students all they need to know before they join a practice.
Health equity and access solutions (11%)
The quality of healthcare services loses relevance if patients can’t access said care. Obtaining good healthcare remains a frustrating journey for far too many people. The experience of medical professionals can inform how startup companies create strategies to make healthcare more equitable for patients across demographics.
Factors influencing physicians to join startups
Physicians undergo years of schooling and formal training to become medical professionals. So what could compel doctors with that background to consider healthcare startups in the first place? Sermo asked community members to select the factors that influenced them the most to join or launch a health startup, and here is what they deemed most important:
A proven clinical need and market demand (34%)
No matter how much experience you have in the healthcare industry, there are always new problems to solve and patient expectations are constantly evolving. Regulations and entrenched habits can make enacting change from within a clinical practice a complicated ordeal. A healthcare startup can center all of your capabilities on addressing a specific problem in a way that traditional practices cannot afford to do.
The ability to keep practicing medicine alongside startup work (28%)
Working with a startup doesn’t automatically mean giving up your role in a clinical practice. Having the option to continue working in traditional medicine while collaborating with a healthtech company enables physicians to take on a new challenge without giving up their current profession.
Availability of startup funding or investment (15%)
Having clearly outlined goals is important, but no healthtech company can go far without significant financial backing. A startup that can demonstrate that it has the resources to make real progress towards its objectives will give physicians greater reason to join their cause.
A strong, mission-driven founding team (14%)
A strong vision of what your startup can achieve isn’t just important to build public trust. It’s also how you convince physicians to join your company. A healthtech startup with an impressive founding team, be it through experience or an appealing personality, will have a better chance of inspiring physicians to join the startup on a full-time or part-time basis.
Support from mentors or physician-entrepreneur networks (7%)
The endorsement of respected peers goes a long way. If trusted advisors think highly of the startup you’re considering joining, then you’ll feel more confident that working alongside the company is the right decision.
Major challenges and concerns in health tech startups
Of course, joining or creating a startup venture is one thing; making that transition successful is another. When asked what the biggest challenges of healthcare startups are, here is what Sermo members deemed to be the most significant concerns:
Financial risk and lack of stable income (35%)
The healthtech industry is a high-risk endeavor for anyone who chooses to enter the space. The upfront costs to get a company off the ground are substantial, and the amount of competition in the market, extended sales cycles, and compliance standards make scaling your business a more complicated proposition. These realities also make it hard to predict your income stream for an unpredictable stretch of time. Startups can be a profitable venture, but any physicians interested in these companies should be aware of the risks involved.
Lack of business or startup experience (25%)
Being a good physician with a vision of how to improve some aspect of the healthcare industry doesn’t mean that you are also adept at being a savvy businessperson. Learning how to operate within a startup structure or as a leader of a startup takes a lot of patience and support that may not be plentiful in every working environment.
Time constraints due to clinical responsibilities (17%)
Unless you plan on leaving your clinical practice for the healthtech world, taking part in a startup means dividing your time between two consuming jobs. Finding the time and energy to perform well in both roles takes some doing, and could dissuade some physicians from investing in or joining a startup.
Uncertainty around legal or regulatory compliance (14%)
Entering the healthtech space means you must interface with a whole new world of rules and guidelines to follow. Regulations can vary significantly depending on the state or country you’re doing business in. Demonstrating compliance is imperative for any healthcare startup, but keeping track of all the regulatory bodies that affect your work is another stressful task on an already heavy plate.
Difficulty building a technical or operational team (7%)
An effective healthcare startup staff has a combination of medical and technical expertise that can be hard to find. Your typical engineer is not likely to be fluent in health jargon, and many medical professionals won’t be aware of the fine details of building a company in the tech space. The talent pool is not filled with individuals with the right skillset. This is great for the people who do have that blend, as they can demand higher salaries, but it makes it harder for startups with less money to compete with wealthier peers.
How physician leaders can bring insights to healthcare startups
Whatever difficulties physicians may have getting accustomed to the inner workings of a healthtech company, their perspective can deliver indispensable value to their products and services. When asked where they saw the greatest opportunity for physicians to add value in startups, 31% of doctors on Sermo replied with patient engagement and real-world feedback and another 25% said product development and clinical validation. Other answers included health system partnerships, leadership/company vision, and compliance strategies. What the leading answers have in common is recognition of the potential distance between technical innovation and tangible solutions.
Without the input of medical professionals, public health startups could become overly focused on verifying the feasibility of their product and not take its efficacy or ease of use into account. Experienced physicians can explain how their services would or wouldn’t integrate with their workflow or benefit patients, helping them hone the design of their product, improve the user experience, and make their work more purposeful. It’s challenging work, but the healthcare industry as a whole needs physicians who are willing to take on the challenge.
“As a physician, I see health startups as an opportunity for clinicians to bring judgment and rigor to areas where innovation sometimes outpaces evidence. I’m interested in projects that improve quality and efficiency without breaking care continuity. What holds me back: lack of time, shifting regulation, early-stage funding, and the risk of solutions disconnected from real practice,” said a doctor of radiation oncology on Sermo. “Still, I believe physicians can contribute a lot as founders, advisors, or impact evaluators if science, regulation, and day-to-day needs are aligned.”
What does this mean for doctors?
Some physicians are content to perform their duties, take care of patients, and go home each day. But for those who want to have more systemic influence over the future of care delivery, the startup space represents an exciting pathway for innovation. But the healthtech industry comes with its own set of challenges.
To make meaningful contributions in a startup, physicians must develop their business acumen to better evaluate potential investment partners and build better products or services. While business skills can help you to understand how startups operate, formal business training such as an MBA or MHA is not always required. Many physicians successfully contribute through informal learning, mentorship, or hands-on experience, especially when their primary role is providing clinical insight, validating use cases, or ensuring patient safety and relevance.
Although not a prerequisite to getting involved in startups, formal qualifications like those mentioned above can be beneficial to physicians looking to land leadership, product strategy, fundraising, or operational roles. Ultimately, each startup is going to have its own needs and requirements, and demonstrated experience, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate across clinical and nonclinical teams often matter just as much.
Investing in a preexisting startup may be less strenuous than founding one yourself, but doing that still requires a lot of thought and research. Before pledging your support to any healthtech brand, physicians should consider a number of factors such as:
- The clinical relevance of their product/service
- Regulatory risk
- Evidence quality
- Credibility of leadership
- Alignment with patient interests and needs
The bottom line
Modern healthcare is only getting more complex over time. As tech becomes more intertwined with clinical care, the demand for physician-entrepreneurs increases. Doctors who can combine expert insight with business strategy have access to lucrative opportunities to take authority over the latest trends in the healthcare industry.
That said, the startup game comes with its fair share of ethical and legal challenges, on top of requiring a set of credentials previously tangential to a career in practical medicine. That transition isn’t easy! Thankfully, you don’t have to make the switch alone. Sermo is a global platform where physicians from all over the world can exchange advice and discuss relevant topics with thousands of their peers. Anyone interested in moving into venture capital from their clinical work can find plenty of helpful voices to help them make more informed decisions and a more prepared physician-entrepreneur. Sign up for Sermo to take part in the conversation today.
