Swiss Healthcare Startups

Swiss Healthcare Startups (SHS) is a non-profit network for young companies in the Swiss healthcare sector. Based in Zurich, it connects startups with insurers, healthcare providers, industry and service providers.

Its member directory, SHS Cortex, listed more than 800 startups in 2026. They work in fields such as medtech, digital health, biotech, insurtech, femtech and mental health. Institutional members form three groups: industry, healthcare providers and ecosystem builders, and service providers. Among them are CSS, Sanitas, Galenica, Medbase and the business and economic development office of the Canton of Zurich.

SHS arranges targeted introductions between startups and its institutional members and publishes a reimbursement guide. With Biopôle it runs the Vanguard Accelerator, a six-month programme for digital health startups. The association is led by two co-presidents and a chief executive.

Its event formats include webinars with expert partners and the Legal Insights series, held at the Zurich offices of the law firm Kellerhals Carrard.