The digital health finance industry has undergone a significant course correction in 2023 after experiencing a rollercoaster ride in the preceding years. According to data from Rock Health, a digital health venture fund, funding for digital health firms has seen a downward trend in the first half of 2023. The sector raised $6.1 billion, a noticeable drop from the $10.4 billion raised in the same period in 2022 and the staggering $15.1 billion raised in the first half of 2021.
One of the main drivers behind this decline is the reduction in both the number of deals and the average check size. In the second quarter of 2023, digital health spending fell by 53% from the same period in 2022 and by a striking 108% from the second quarter of 2021. Digital health is now on track for its lowest funding year since 2019, indicating a significant slowdown in investor enthusiasm.
The shift in investor behavior is evident in the reduced number of investors involved in digital health deals. The year 2023 saw only 555 investors, compared to 775 in 2022 and 832 in 2021. The researchers at Rock Health note that this may signify a move away from generalist and crossover investors participating in one-off deals, leaving a smaller group of focused digital health investors to drive sector activity.
Furthermore, an unprecedented 41% of all first-half raises were "unlabeled" rounds, where capital raises did not carry a Series A or similar designation. Startups attempting to safeguard their valuations while navigating uncertain market conditions may be the driving force behind this trend. However, experts warn that such tactics may not be a sustainable long-term strategy.
The market has also seen a clear differentiation between successful and unsuccessful startups. The availability of cash in 2021 and early 2022 may have masked this divide, but it has become more evident as funding declined. As a result, some startups are now contemplating acquisition bids due to financial shortages and a lack of opportunities in the IPO market. Digital health startup acquisitions in the first half of 2023 declined compared to previous years, making competition fiercer.
Startups that faced financial constraints or a challenging market had to close or sell assets, leading to a wave of consolidation in the industry. Some intellectual property (IP) and technology from these ventures were acquired by other companies, potentially benefiting the next wave of startups in the digital health space.
Additionally, Industry experts and venture capital professionals, including those at Rock Health, believe that this course correction is crucial for the long-term sustainability and growth of the digital health sector. While the industry may have experienced a funding downturn, it presents an opportunity for startups to reassess their strategies, focus on innovation, and build stronger business models.
As the digital health industry moves forward, collaboration, innovation, and value-driven care enablement will play pivotal roles in shaping the future landscape. By learning from the past and leveraging the opportunities that arise from this course correction, digital health startups can lay the foundation for a resilient and prosperous future in the ever-evolving world of healthcare technology.
