From Global to Local: Greater Philly Ecosystem Accelerates International Life Sciences Growth

For Immediate Release: Philadelphia, PA (May 5, 2025)

WorldUpstart is proud to welcome the latest cohort of international life sciences, medtech, and digital health companies to Philadelphia for its flagship U.S. Market Gateway Accelerator Showcase, a two-day event designed to connect high-potential global innovators with investors, industry partners, and key stakeholders in the U.S. healthcare ecosystem.

Sponsored by DLA Piper and EisnerAmper, the event brings together a dynamic mix of strategic partners to support the growth and integration of cutting-edge technologies into the U.S. market. 

"WorldUpstart provided us with the most impactful strategy for U.S. entry and would have saved us lots of sleepless nights if we had begun our engagement sooner," noted Alison Sundset, CEO of HoloCare.

This spring’s cohort features groundbreaking companies from Canada, France, India, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the UK, including:
BOTdesign, HoloCare, IPtoki, MathBiology, Mediary,  Medwise.ai, SmartCella, Vera Healthcare, and WPD Pharmaceuticals.

These companies are participating in WorldUpstart’s intensive 8-week hybrid accelerator, designed to help international startups build a strategic roadmap for U.S. expansion through targeted mentorship, regulatory guidance, and direct access to the Philadelphia region’s world-class healthcare networks, research institutions, and venture community.

“Our mission is to empower global innovators who have already proven themselves in their home markets and are ready for the next leap,” said Karina Sotnik, Founder and CEO of WorldUpstart. “Philadelphia offers everything they need to succeed—deep healthcare expertise, access to decision-makers, and a supportive, innovation-driven community. It’s where market entry becomes market success.”

Since its inception, WorldUpstart has supported 83 companies from 20 countries, helping them raise over $210 million in follow-on funding, achieve 10 FDA approvals, and launch commercial partnerships across the U.S. Today, over 40% of WorldUpstart graduates are actively scaling in the U.S., a testament to the program’s effectiveness in accelerating international companies’ market entry and growth.

About WorldUpstart

WorldUpstart empowers international Life Sciences, MedTech, and Digital Health companies to successfully enter and grow in the U.S. market. Its U.S. Market Gateway Accelerator, recognized as one of the Top 10 Accelerators by Hattrick IT, provides the strategic guidance, mentorship, and networks needed for global startups to thrive in the competitive U.S. healthcare landscape.