Beyond Borders: Internationalization Strategies for Health Startups

In recent years, I’ve had the privilege of closely following the birth and growth of dozens of health startups, both in Brazil and abroad. As the founder of IBIS, I witness daily how entrepreneurs in deeptechs and biotechs are driven by urgency and purpose — to create solutions that truly transform lives. But there is a common question that inevitably arises for nearly all of them: How do I internationalize my startup?

This is not just a matter of ambition, but of strategy. The complexity of technologies being developed by health startups requires markets with greater absorptive capacity, more predictable regulation, and real scalability potential. In other words, to innovate in health today is to design with global reach in mind from day one.

The world is changing — and so is the internationalization landscape

For a long time, the natural destination for Brazilian startups looking to go global was clear: the United States. With a robust market, abundant capital, and top-tier health institutions, the U.S. remains a major reference.

However, the global landscape is shifting. Geopolitical instability, trade tensions, protectionist policies, and growing competition for regulatory and market space demand new perspectives. The recent reinstatement of trade tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration is just one more chapter in a world in flux.

At the same time, regions such as Southeast Asia, Central Europe, the Middle East, and other Latin American countries are becoming increasingly receptive to health innovation — offering strategic opportunities for startups that aim to expand with intelligence and caution.

In this context, internationalization is not just about growth — it is a risk mitigation strategy. Diversifying markets, clients, and partners protects a company from local economic or political volatility.

Internationalization is more than exporting

For a deeptech or biotech startup, internationalizing goes far beyond finding a distributor or registering a business abroad. It involves translating your innovation into a new health system, with its own workflows, values, regulations, and expectations.

A diagnostic support algorithm, for example, might perform exceptionally well. But it will still need to undergo clinical validation, comply with local data protection laws, adapt its business model, and perhaps even rethink the user journey.

This process requires preparation — and it starts long before the first international trip. It demands legal structuring, consolidated intellectual property, academic and commercial partnerships, stakeholder mapping, and above all, clear narratives that align the proposed solution with real problems in the target markets.

The case of Sofya AI: a Brazilian-born solution with global potential

A promising example is the Brazilian healthtech Sofya AI, born within the innovation ecosystem of Hospital Sírio-Libanês. Using artificial intelligence, the startup developed a solution that supports clinical reasoning, helping healthcare professionals optimize time and improve diagnostic accuracy.

In a world facing physician shortages and pressure for more efficient healthcare delivery, solutions like Sofya’s have a strong cross-border appeal. They are especially relevant for markets aiming to increase access to healthcare through technology, such as countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. The company has already begun international expansion with operations in Miami, United States.

The challenge, as with many Brazilian startups, is to ensure the solution doesn’t remain confined to local recognition — or be hindered by limited access to capital, certifications, or international distribution channels. Sofya exemplifies the kind of innovation that deserves to go global — not just be celebrated locally.

What health startup leaders need to consider

For founders considering internationalization strategies for health startups, some strategic questions should be addressed early on:

Is my product eligible for regulation in foreign markets?
Does my technology solve relevant problems beyond Brazil?
Have I begun mapping potential partners, accelerators, or international clients?
Is my corporate, IP, and compliance structure ready for global operations?

This is not about expanding for vanity — but about recognizing that true impact often only materializes when innovations reach markets that are ready to adopt them.

Governments, investors, and development agencies also play a crucial role in this process. Initiatives by organizations such as BNDES, Finep, and the Butantan Institute, which are structuring funds aimed at health innovation, show a growing recognition of the sector’s value. The next step is to connect these local efforts with global entry points.

FORBISS: an invitation to celebrate internationalization strategies for health startups

It is with this spirit that the Fórum Brasileiro de Internacionalização de Startups em Saúde – FORBISS (Brazilian Forum for the Internationalization of Health Startups) was created. Designed to support and connect Brazilian healthtechs, biotechs, and deeptechs, FORBISS will be a space for articulation, visibility, and international projection.

More than just an event, FORBISS will be a celebration of internationalization and health innovation — bringing together leaders, founders, and strategic ecosystem players to reflect, connect, and act.

If you lead a health startup and want to think beyond borders, join us.🔗 www.forbiss.com