Emergence and growth:

The medical startup ecosystem in Recife

Authors

  • Marcelo Maia Rêgo Toscano FACHUCA – Faculdade de Ciencias Humanas e Sociais do Cabo de Santo Agostinho

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51896/rilcods.v7i65.813

Keywords:

Startups, Startup ecosystem, Medical entrepreneurship

Abstract

Emergence and Growth: The Medical Startups Ecosystem in Recife This study investigates the dynamic ecosystem of medical startups in Recife, highlighting its structure, key players, challenges, and emerging opportunities. Through literature review and analysis of government reports, we aim to understand the evolution of this innovative ecosystem. In Recife, medical startups are focusing on areas such as telemedicine, advanced medical devices, artificial intelligence applied to healthcare, and digital solutions. UFPE and UPE provide qualified talent and cutting-edge research, while Porto Digital and CESAR offer strategic support and infrastructure for these companies' growth. Compared to other Brazilian ecosystems like São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, Recife stands out for its proximity to academic centers and collaboration among universities, businesses, and local governments. This collaborative and favorable regulatory environment fosters sustainable growth and rapid adoption of innovative health technologies. Despite challenges such as initial funding and scalability, medical startups in Recife are well positioned to lead regionally and enhance healthcare delivery in Brazil. This study provides insights into the current ecosystem and highlights opportunities for future development and inter-regional collaborations.

References

AMOUYEL, Philippe. Health and Wellness Management. Paris: Elsevier, 2017.

BARRETT, Michael. Mobilizing the Patient Voice: Designing Systems to Support Patients' Interpretations of Complex Chronic Conditions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018.

BESSANT, John. Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Chichester: Wiley, 2015.

BORINI, Guilherme. Startups do setor de saúde crescem na pandemia e miram consolidação. Febrabantech, 2021. Disponível em: https://febrabantech.febraban.org.br/temas/fintechs-e-startups/startups-do-setor-de-saude-crescem-na-pandemia-e-miram-consolidacao. Acesso em: 15 ago. 2024.

BOWEN, G. A. Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, v. 9, n. 2, p. 27-40, 2009.

BRAUN, V.; CLARKE, V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, v. 3, n. 2, p. 77-101, 2006.

CALLON, Michel. The Laws of the Markets. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1999.

CASSON, Mark; WADESON, Nigel. The Oxford Handbook of Entrepreneurship. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017.

DENZIN, N. K. The Research Act: A Theoretical Introduction to Sociological Methods. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1978.

DE MICHELIS, Giorgio. Design Things. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2018.

DOLABELA, Fernando. O Segredo de Luísa: Uma ideia, uma paixão e um plano de negócios: Como nasce o empreendedor e se cria uma empresa. São Paulo: Sextante, 2012.

DRUCKER, Peter. Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Practice and Principles. New York: Routledge, 2007.

FELDMAN, Maryann. The Geography of Innovation. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2014.

GADELHA, Carlos. Health Innovation: A Development Pathway for Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz, 2020.

GRAHAM, Paul. Hackers & Painters: Big Ideas from the Computer Age. Sebastopol: O'Reilly Media, 2012.

HAECKEL, Camila; HAECKEL, Eduarda. Conheça o Polo Médico e Tecnológico do Recife. Folha de Pernambuco, 2024. Disponível em: https://www.folhape.com.br/colunistas/inspiracao-recife/conheca-o-polo-medico-e-tecnologico-do-recife/42296/. Acesso em: 15 ago. 2024.

HAECKEL, J. Inovações no Porto Digital: Transformações e Impactos no Recife. Revista de Tecnologia e Sociedade, v. 12, n. 1, p. 45-60, 2024.

HUANG, Yasheng. Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics: Entrepreneurship and the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.

ISENBERG, Daniel. How to Start an Entrepreneurial Revolution. Harvard Business Review, v. 88, n. 6, p. 41-50, 2010.

KRIPPENDORFF, K. Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its Methodology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2004.

MENTION, Anne-Laure. Innovation in Financial Services: A Dual Ambiguity. New York: Routledge, 2017.

MICELLI, Stefano. Futuro Artigiano: L'innovazione nelle mani degli italiani. Veneza: Marsilio Editori, 2011.

MASON, Colin; HARRISON, Richard. Business Angels: Investment Strategies, Network Formation and Success. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015.

PREFEITURA DO RECIFE. Inovação Aberta. Prefeitura do Recife, 2024. Disponível em: https://desenvolvimentoeconomico.recife.pe.gov.br/inovacao-aberta. Acesso em: 15 ago. 2024.

PREFEITURA DO RECIFE. Marco Legal da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação. Diário Oficial do Recife, 2022.

RIES, Eric. The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. New York: Crown Business, 2011.

SAY, Jean-Baptiste. A Treatise on Political Economy. Philadelphia: Grigg & Elliot, 2000.

SCAGLIONE, Silvia. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2019.

STEVE BLANK. The Startup Owner's Manual. Pescadero: K&S Ranch, 2013.

THAROOR, Shashi. The Elephant, the Tiger, and the Cell Phone: Reflections on India in the 21st Century. Nova York: Arcade Publishing, 2016.

UNIVERSIDADE DE PERNAMBUCO (UPE). UPE é parceira do Startup Way Health, que busca soluções inovadoras para o mercado de saúde. UPE, 2024. Disponível em: https://www.upe.br/noticias/upe-%C3%A9-parceira-do-startup-way-health,-que-busca-solu%C3%A7%C3%B5es-inovadoras-para-o-mercado-de-sa%C3%BAde.html. Acesso em: 15 ago. 2024.

UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE PERNAMBUCO (UFPE). Projeto de startup do Polo Tec da UFPE é selecionado no Edital Grand Challenges Inteligência Artificial. UFPE, 2024. Disponível em: https://sites.ufpe.br/polotecnologico/2024/03/15/projeto-de-startup-do-polo-tec-da-ufpe-e-selecionado-no-edital-grand-challenges-inteligencia-artificial/. Acesso em: 15 ago. 2024.

YOCK, Paul. Biodesign: The Process of Innovating Medical Technologies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015.

Published

2025-04-03

How to Cite

Rêgo Toscano, M. M. (2025). Emergence and growth:: The medical startup ecosystem in Recife. Desarrollo Sustentable, Negocios, Emprendimiento Y Educación, 7(65), 17–43. https://doi.org/10.51896/rilcods.v7i65.813

Issue

Section

Artículos