Top Tips for Breaking into HealthTech/MedTech

Posted on: 17 January 2023 by Samantha Riella in Hints, tips and advice

In this article, Lucky shares her top tips for entering the digital health industry.

Over the past 2 years, Lucky has been networking, attending board meetings and workshops with clinicians as well as non-medical professionals who have founded their own HealthTech/MedTech start-ups. Now she is working with them, learning how they started and where they are now and seeing their vision and mission to conquer ever-new frontiers. 

1. Start with Your Why

If the why is powerful, the how is easy - Jim Rohn

Entering into a new sector is a BIG step thus we need to have a clear picture of why we want to do it. It's critical to know your why and your passion. It is your why that will inspire you to take action. An easy task you can do is sit down with a pen and paper and write a list of "your whys". Also, don't forget to ask yourself "why not" too.

2. Your Value Proposition

Being a clinician with real-world healthcare experience makes you stand out in the HealthTech or MedTech sector. Nothing else can give you the skills you gain from practicing medicine - you are your superpower!

Start building your portfolio, highlighting your skills, interests and experiences both within and outside of medicine/healthcare. Your LinkedIn profile can serve as your digital portfolio if you keep it up-to-date. You can watch my walkthrough about how to make an impression on LinkedIn, how to sell yourself and your personal brand online and how to boost your skills and experience on the Careers and Employability Youtube channel. You can watch the video here. 

Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself when meeting founders or those working in your desired industry. This shows you're prepared for any opportunity and that you think ahead. A well-crafted elevator pitch and making it conversational helps your listeners relate to you and remember you!

A quick structure for an elevator pitch:

  • Smile
  • Your name and what you do
  • What are you interested in>
  • What makes you unique?
  • Give a call to action

3. Power of Networking

Networking is not about collecting contacts. It's about planting relationships

Networking is a valuable resource for gaining new ideas and perspectives. Building strong relationships is key to creating a stronger support network and more impactful connections. Therefore, exchange stories, challenges and interests.

Take time to make a real connection and explore how you might help each other out. Respond to others' challenges by providing your insights and help them solve the problem. Ask them what they're working on at the moment, which can help you formulate a follow-up. Connect with them on LinkedIn and take notes so that when you see or message them next, you can say, "Last time we spoke, you had mentioned…".

4. Attending conferences, summits and workshops

Attending conferences and events is a brilliant way to immerse yourself to new ideas and new people. As conferences anchor a large audience from around the world, it is a hub for exchanging revolutionary ideas, getting feedback, networking and even landing a position within your preferred industry. You never know where that one conversation or handshake may lead you.

You get the opportunity for 1:1 meetings with digital health peers; participate in CPD-certified sessions; hear directly from industry leading experts, pre-dominantly from the NHS.

Below are some of the HealthTech/MedTech-focused conferences I attended in 2021-22 and also planning to attend this year. I've included the dates & links for these events in 2023. They're free to attend for the NHS, public sector and charities.

  • HETT Show: this year they have a new extension called HETT North taking place in Manchester Central from 02/03/23
  • NHSConfedExpo: 14/06/23 - 15/06/23 at Manchester Central
  • London Tech Week: 12/06/23 - 16/06/23 at Queen Elizabeth II Centre

5. Keep Learning, Keep Growing

Investing in yourself helps you to enhance your skillsets, knowledge and confidence when stepping into a new sector.

I have undertaken training at the ORCHA Digital Health Academy to better understand the HealthTech landscape. The academy provides NHS approved, CPD accredited and FREE online training.

Below are some courses to help you get a head start on Digital Health:

  • Foundation 1: Introduction to Digital Health
  • Foundation 2: Importance of Prescribing Digital Health

6. Create Your Own Opportunity

You can gain experience by offering to be a mentor or clinical advisor for a digital health company and helping founders refine their idea and/or product. You can use this to build your HealthTech portfolio and discover what you enjoy most about it. Sometimes, a voluntary one-off mentorship/advisory meeting can develop into a more formal or long-term relationship with a company.

7. Say the Bravest Thing

Asking for help is a sign of strength & courage

Ask for help when you need it. Embarking on a new journey is exciting, but we cannot do it alone. Asking for help is the bravest thing we can do. Sometimes it can be scary but believe me asking for help when you need it can be life changing. People can surprise you with their incredible kindness. We all grow together by supporting each other.

These tips are just the beginning of your journey into HealthTech/MedTech. So if there is anything I can help you with on your new or ongoing journey, feel free to reach out.

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