Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and other Massachusetts business leaders are teaming up to launch an initiative to create a digital health hub. With support from the City of Boston, Massachusetts eHealth Institute at MassTech (MeHI), and MACP, the new digital health innovation hub will provide startups with coworking space, programming and industry network support. Programming through the hub will be managed and operated by MassChallenge.
“Our administration is committed to making Massachusetts a national leader in digital health by partnering with private industry, convening key stakeholders and addressing market gaps,” said Governor Baker in a statement. “This emerging industry cluster has the potential to become a powerful driver of job creation across the Commonwealth, while also unlocking new advances in improving patient care and lowering health care costs.”
The digital health market is expected to reach $32B over the next decade, according to a recent report by Goldman Sachs. Digital health-focused venture firm Rock Health reported that Boston beat out New York City as the second largest digital health hub in the country after Silicon Valley in 2015. The state already boasts more than 250 digital health startups with strong support from world-class academic institutions, including the University of Massachusetts system, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University and Partners HealthCare.