CB Insights Unveils IPO Prospectus for 'The Map of Healthcare IoT': Spotlighting 64 Innovative Startups Transforming Medical Care Through Connected Devices

The digital health sector encompasses digital therapeutics, health wearables, and connected devices. According to the latest report from CB Insights, a venture capital analytics firm, transaction volume in the digital health space grew by 20% last year. As the digital health sector flourishes, investors are increasingly turning their attention to healthcare-focused startups.

IoT startups are actively developing new applications in the healthcare sector, leveraging sensors to enhance diagnosis, monitoring, patient management, and treatment. Some startups are focusing on clinical-grade wearable devices to collect patient data, while others are seizing opportunities in hospital sensor networks, aiming to optimize healthcare services and implement real-time patient monitoring technologies.

CB Insights has mapped out 64 private IoT startups in the healthcare sector based on its internal data.


These IoT startups were founded to address various healthcare pain points, including real-time patient monitoring and disease prevention. CB Insights has categorized 64 representative companies among them into the following seven groups:

I. Enhancing Clinical Treatment Efficiency:

Startups in this category aim to leverage connected devices to enhance service levels in hospitals and clinics, track treatment outcomes, and improve the therapeutic efficiency of healthcare providers. For instance, Augmedix and Obaa utilize smart glasses, such as Google Glass, for medical documentation. Simplifeye enables physicians to view follow-up schedules and electronic health records via Apple Watch. Awarepoint employs IoT sensors for real-time location tracking of patients and medical equipment. AdhereTech monitors remaining medication levels through connected smart pill bottles.

II. Clinical-Grade Biometric Sensors and Wearable Devices

Startups in this category, such as EarlySense and Monica Healthcare, focus on biometric sensors that can be used in clinics, hospitals, and by certain FDA-approved companies specializing in patient care. Quanttus, MC10, and other companies are developing clinical-grade wearable devices and are currently seeking FDA clearance. Other IoT-enabled clinical device companies, such as Eyenetra, can connect to smartphones to conduct vision tests.

III. Assisting Consumers with Home Monitoring

These companies are dedicated to developing consumer-facing technologies for collecting biometric data. Examples include Chrono Therapeutics, which offers tracking products to help suppress addictive habits; Kinsa, a smart thermometer; and monitoring systems such as Qardio and AliveCor, which enable patients to perform electrocardiogram (ECG) tests at home.

IV. Brain and Neural Sensors

Such companies primarily develop wearable devices that acquire brain information using high-tech head-mounted equipment. Ybrain and InteraXon can read brainwaves, while Thync can transmit neural signals associated with mood changes. Other startups, such as Neurovigil, focus on non-invasive neurotechnology (reading and recording brainwaves) to analyze drug efficacy and track neuropathological data. Neurovigil completed its Series A financing last year, with investors including Draper Fisher Jurvetson and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

V. Wearable Devices for Exercise and Body Shaping

Startups in this category, such as Lumo and OMsignal, focus on developing wearable devices or smart clothing for user fitness. LumoIt can monitor the wearer’s posture in real time and provide reminders to improve their sitting posture.OMsignal has developed a line of athletic wear capable of monitoring users’ heart rate, respiratory rate, and calories burned.

VI. Sleep Monitoring Devices

Such companies primarily focus on monitoring sleep quality. Representative companies include Hello and Beddit.Sense sleep monitoring device developed by Hello Company,It can automatically detect sleep patterns and provide a scoring system after the user falls asleep, while also informing the user whether the surrounding environment is affecting their sleep quality. Beddit is capable of measuring the user's total sleep time, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, time taken to fall asleep, number of awakenings, and total duration of deep sleep.

VII. Infant Monitoring

Companies in this category leverage wearable device technologies from firms such as Owlet and Sprouting for infant activity tracking and health monitoring. The Owlet Smart Sock monitors infants’ health and comfort by recording data on heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep quality, skin temperature, and sleep position. Built-in sensors in Sprouting devices track infants’ heart rate, skin temperature, movement, and position.

Below are all 64 medical IoT companies covered: