Topic Summary

The digital health sector is experiencing an immense boom – not only in Germany but also other countries in the EU. The business can be very lucrative. Therefore, there are increasingly more startups aiming to establish themselves in this field. One key success factor is a good business model. Business Model Frameworks such as the Business Model Canvas can provide assistance in this regard. At the institute, we developed a Business Model Framework for the digital health sector – more precisely for Medical Software Startups. Medical Software Startups are startups that develop a medical software, i.e., a software which is conform with the Medical Device Regulation.

The main goal of the thesis is to take a closer look at the following three components of the business model : Core Assets, Core Activities & Processes as well as Digital Product.

For each component, an artifact should be developed that provides templates for completion as well as substantive input.

Example for the Core Assets component: What templates are available in the literature that can be used to define Core Assets (such as Human Resources)? What should be considered in this context?

For this, the literature will be consulted initially. This theoretical input will then be combined with practical input. The practical input will be derived from interviews with startups and industry experts in the EU.

Possible Research Questions (can be adapted to personal interest):

Example for Core Assets component:

• How can critical resources be identified?
• How can innovations be protected against imitation?

Example for Core Activities & Processes component:

• Which tools exist to identify critical resources (in the digital health sector)?
• How do the underlying processes for the activities look like?

Example for Digital Product component:

• How can digital products (medical software products) be characterized?
• What software types exist?

Further, we are open to your suggestions to contribute to this topic.

In a first meeting the artefact will be presented to you and based on this, the components and goal of the thesis explained in more detail.

Profile

• Interested in digital health and startups
• Good self-organization and communication skills
• Self-motivated and reliable way of working
• Self-organized and goal-oriented working mode
• Bring in your own ideas
• Work in a structured way
• Very good English skills as the thesis will be written in English

Methodology (can be adapted)

• Literature Review, Expert Interviews, Design Science Research

We offer a challenging research topic, close supervision, and the opportunity to develop practical as well as theoretical skills. If you are interested, please send a current transcript of records, a short CV, and a brief motivation (2-3 sentences) to Rahel Martjan (rahel martjan∂kit edu).