GE’s five.eight program looks to foster global health startups

GE Healthcare has launched its five.eight accelerator program for improving healthcare in developing countries. The program will assist healthcare startups in improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare technologies for patients otherwise unable to receive care.

The first four social impact investors of the company include Acumen, Aavishkaar-Intellecap Group, Unitus Seed Fund and Villgro. Through the five.eight program, GE Healthcare and each startup will develop products to be released on a global scale for undeveloped countries. GE plans for each to receive $5 million in funding.

“Globally, it’s estimated that more than 5.8 billion people in the world lack access to quality, affordable healthcare,” said John Flannery, President & CEO of GE Healthcare. “We’ve had a continuous commitment to improving healthcare for those who need it most, but we know we cannot do it alone. Through five.eight, our goal is to fuel the greater global health ecosystem, partnering with social impact investors and global health startups, in order to maximize impact and outcomes for populations with the greatest need.”

The first startup from five.eight is Tricog, a startup in India that aims to improve the survival rates of heart attacks by providing timely care. The startup uses ECG devices that use the cloud to diagnose patient within minutes of them arriving at the medical center.

“Collaborating with investors allows us to work with some extraordinary entrepreneurs that have promising technologies to extend our portfolio of affordable solutions,” said Terri Bresenham, President & CEO of GE Healthcare’s Sustainable Healthcare Solutions. “Our goal is to define the next generation of care delivery technologies that can deliver impact where it matters.”