On an international expansion course with telemedicine
Since its foundation in 1999, Medgate has become the best-known and most trusted telemedicine brand in Switzerland. Now it is time to open up further markets abroad. Accordingly, Medgate is nominated for the Export Award 2021.
Since 2000, Medgate has been operating what it claims is the largest telemedicine center in Europe. The Basel-based company describes itself as a digital healthcare pioneer that offers both patients and health insurers comprehensive, location-independent and affordable medical care - around the clock. The claim: Thanks to consultations via app, phone, video and chat, unnecessary visits to the doctor can be avoided, while at the same time the quality of medical care can be kept high. Now, in addition to two other companies nominated for the Export Award 2021, which will be awarded on September 30, 2021.
Great interest of foreign countries in the concept of telemedicine
In 2014, the Basel-based company ventured into the market in the United Arab Emirates. The Philippines followed in 2016, India in 2017 and Germany in 2020. Due to a strong increase in demand for digital health solutions worldwide, Medgate now believes the time has come to push ahead with its expansion strategy abroad and open up further markets. Thus, further locations are planned in the core regions of Europe and Southeast Asia, including Spain, Italy, Austria, Poland, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. To this end, Medgate has already conducted market analyses with Switzerland Globale Enterprise (S-GE) on several occasions. As a member of S-GE, the company is actively supported in its internationalization and benefits from many advantages.
Adapt concept to local markets
In order to adapt Medgate's concept to local markets, it is necessary to understand the conditions of a market precisely and to adapt the services to the specific country. In Australia, for example, snakebites play a much greater role than in Switzerland. Or in the Philippines, diseases such as dengue or malaria are more prevalent than in Germany. "Understanding local conditions is one of the biggest challenges," says Paul de La Rochefoucauld, one of Medgate's three managing partners.
Holding structure and local partnerships
For this reason, the international business is controlled from the Swiss holding company. The country units are structured under this, which enables greater strategic control, which is particularly necessary in the field of medicine to ensure process standardization and high quality. Medgate approaches partnerships both at shareholder level and at operational level. In particular, sales activities and stakeholder management must be driven by local partners and organizations to establish credibility.
"Made in Switzerland" as a seal of quality
What also ensures credibility is the "Made in Switzerland" seal of quality. Switzerland enjoys a high level of trust abroad. And trust is central in an industry like healthcare.
Medgate briefly introduced
Industry: Healthcare / Telemedicine
Year founded: 1999
Headquarters: Basel
Employees: 350
Further facts and figures: 20 insurance partners, 4 locations worldwide
Management: Andy Fischer, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Managing PartnerMore information: Medgate
