Care at half the cost
CareTech AS develops technology to improve health care from the home to the hospital
Rasmus Falck
Oslo, Norway
CareTech AS was awarded the NHO Buskerud’s Entrepreneurship Prize 2012 for the founders and entrepreneurs work with developing modern technology for the health care market – from the home to the hospital doorstep. The company has focused on health prevention and rehabilitation. By combining the best of technology, science and method CareTech wants to revolutionize the health care sector.
CareTech started as the founders, Peter Stølen and Jonas Haavik, saw the opportunity to make a dramatic difference in the lives of those needing assistance to remain independent. Motivated by their own family experiences and a typical Norwegian sense of independence, their vision is to give people the ability to control their own way of living, irrespective of physical ability.
The company was just incorporated in Drammen, Norway. The founders had worked with the concept since 2008 through the companies Risk Challenger Technology AS and Vitheia Norge AS. The core technologies in CareTech originate from these two companies, which are also the two main owners.
The company wants to improve care at half the cost. They define themselves to be in the business of ambient assisted living technology, tele-care, telemedicine and home care. They currently have several clients on board and a solid network of technical and research partnerships in place. A successful first round of funding concluded recently.
The main focus for the company now is on delivery, testing and more delivery, working very tightly with the customers and partners to implement initial solutions. Their mission – keeping independence in the hands of people that they love through leading open innovation – seems promising.
Technology in health care is a rapidly expanding market. To meet the growing need, improve care and extended care options, new innovative approaches and products are needed. Most people want to live at home as long as possible before they have to move to an old folk’s home. New technology might postpone moving by two or three years. A sensor that tells if an unstable person falls, a digital blood test that sends the results to the person’s doctor immediately and a screen on the wall where the user can talk with his physical therapist are examples of how new technology can be used by old persons. Drammen is in the forefront of these developments. Within a year, 16 intelligent high-tech apartments will be finished. The idea is that the technology will make it possible for the caregivers to spend more time with the users.
CareTech is also a driving force in Arena Health Innovation in Drammen. This is a network organized by “Papirbredden Innovasjon” for cooperation between business, the public sector and the University for creating good solutions for health care in the future.
This article originally appeared in the Sept. 14, 2012 issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (800) 305-0271.
