Betting big on the future of digital health investmentsBetting big on the future of digital health investments

The global digital health funding edged up in 2024 despite fewer deals, signalling investor confidence in the sector’s resilience. Fewer but larger deals drove a record median deal size as capital concentrated in high-potential ventures. 

Artificial intelligence emerged as a dominant theme. AI-focused startups captured about 42% of all digital health funding, which was a record high. From diagnostic platforms to AI-driven drug discovery, investors are heavily backing tech that can transform care delivery and research.

The United States remains the epicentre of digital health funding with around 70% of global venture funding in 2024. Europe has risen as the second-most invested region, and Asia also gained share, each accounting for roughly one-fifth of deal activity by late 2024.  

Venture capital firms adjusted their playbook in 2024. Early-stage funding became a priority, with investors writing bigger cheques to young startups that promise scalable impact. Meanwhile, later-stage mega-rounds targeted proven players, especially those leveraging AI.  

As healthcare systems globally adapt to new demands, digital health continues to capture investor attention.   

In 2024, digital health funding showed renewed momentum, defying broader economic caution. With a clear shift towards scalable, tech-driven healthcare solutions, investors are backing innovation and reshaping how health systems function.  

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AI, Digital Therapeutics, and a New Era of Health Tech 

One of the defining trends of 2024 is the surge in funding for AI-powered health platforms.   

These range from diagnostic tools and imaging solutions to AI-assisted drug discovery ventures. Startups such as Formation Bio and Freenome attracted some of the year’s largest cheques, securing $372 million and $254 million respectively for AI-based applications in pharma and cancer diagnostics.  

Artificial intelligence has gone from ‘nice-to-have’ to becoming a strategic imperative.   

According to CB Insights, 42% of all digital health funding in 2024 went to AI-focused companies. Investors see enormous potential in technologies that reduce clinical burden, speed up treatment pathways, and bring data-driven precision to patient care.  

Meanwhile, digital therapeutics (DTx), software-based interventions that treat medical conditions are becoming a pillar of next-gen care. Their appeal lies in regulatory traction and payer acceptance, allowing treatment to extend beyond hospitals and clinics.   

With DTx solutions for conditions such as diabetes, substance abuse, and insomnia receiving green lights from health authorities, their scalability is winning investor trust.  

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Investment Priorities: Mental Health, Obesity, and Women’s Health 

Funding in 2024 has clearly followed societal and clinical demand.   

Mental health led the charge, attracting $682 million in the first half of the year alone. Platforms offering teletherapy, behavioural coaching, and AI-driven mental health screening are now seen as mainstream, particularly post-pandemic.   

Startups delivering accessible, personalised mental health support have become a priority for venture firms looking for high-impact investments.  

Similarly, obesity care and weight management technologies secured $261 million, as the buzz around GLP-1-based weight loss drugs created ripple effects across digital health. Companies integrating medication with behavioural change, coaching, or lifestyle tracking offer a full-stack solution to one of the world’s fastest-growing health issues.  

Reproductive and maternal health also saw increasing traction, pulling in $214 million. From fertility tracking and IVF support apps to maternal remote monitoring, women’s health is receiving investor attention that’s well been long overdue.  

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These platforms not only address a vital clinical need but also reflect broader moves toward health equity.  

Quality Over Quantity 

While overall deal volume declined, deal sizes rose significantly, highlighting a strategy pivot from venture capital firms.   

Rather than spreading thin across a wide portfolio, VCs are now writing larger cheques to fewer, high-potential startups particularly those with clear product-market fit and scalable business models.  

Notable firms such as Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, and Khosla Ventures remained active players in 2024, each participating in 20+ deals. Their investment thesis consistently favoured AI infrastructure, virtual care platforms, and precision health.  

Early-stage startups remain a focus, but more than vision they now need execution. Scalable revenue models, regulatory foresight, and evidence of real-world outcomes are becoming prerequisites for funding.   

Later-stage companies are facing increased scrutiny, leading to a rise in mergers and acquisitions, with nearly 70% of M&A deals involving startup-to-startup consolidation.  

Global Investment Hotspots 

While the United States continues to dominate, securing around 70% of global digital health funding, other regions are catching up. Europe, particularly the UK, Germany, and France, saw their deal share climb to over 20% by late 2024. Similarly, Asia made strong gains, with India and China nurturing a new generation of health tech players in telemedicine, wellness, and diagnostics.  

This diversification of deal flow signals a maturing global market, where capital seeks not just scale but innovation in underserved and emerging markets. Investors are increasingly geography-agnostic, supporting strong ideas regardless of origin.  

The Road Ahead 

As digital health moves from disruption to infrastructure, investors are playing a defining role in shaping its evolution. And with healthcare facing mounting costs, workforce shortages, and access challenges, the momentum is only set to grow.   

Digital health as we know it is no longer speculative. It’s investable, impactful and essential for the future of global healthcare.