What are the key priorities and strengths of your ecosystem?

The Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, works to catalyze health care innovation, strengthen the digital health ecosystem, and accelerate the adoption and utilization of health technologies across provider settings in Massachusetts. MeHI’s ecosystem brings together startups, health systems, research institutions, payers, government agencies, community health organizations, investors, and academic partners to support the development, testing, validation, and scaling of digital health solutions.

Key priorities include:

• Advancing digital health innovation and commercialization;
• Supporting equitable access to health technologies and reducing disparities in care;
• Accelerating the validation and adoption of emerging technologies including AI-enabled solutions;
• Strengthening primary care and workforce sustainability;
• Supporting women’s health, healthy aging, and community-based care models;
• Building pathways for workforce development and mentorship in health IT and digital health.

A major strength of the Massachusetts ecosystem is the depth of collaboration between our network of world-class hospitals, universities, research institutions, community health centers, startups, and public sector partners. Through MeHI’s Digital Health Sandbox Program, companies gain access to cutting-edge testing and validation environments, clinical expertise, and real-world implementation opportunities.

Who are the top 3–5 drivers of innovation and collaboration in your ecosystem?

Key drivers of innovation and collaboration within the Massachusetts digital health ecosystem include:

1. Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) – Convenes stakeholders, administers innovation programs, including the Digital Health Sandbox Program, and supports digital health commercialization and adoption across provider types.
2. Academic and Research Institutions – Organizations such as MIT, Harvard and Harvard-affiliated hospitals, the University of Massachusetts system, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Northeastern University, Babson College, and others drive research, entrepreneurship, and translational innovation.
3. Health Care Providers and Community Health Centers – Massachusetts health systems and community-based organizations actively partner with startups to pilot and validate technologies in real-world settings.
4. State Government Agencies – Public sector organizations like the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED), the Health Policy Commission, and other agencies help align innovation with statewide health priorities. 

Can you highlight key services, solutions, or initiatives in digital health from your ecosystem?

Massachusetts is one of the leading digital health ecosystems in the United States, supported by a dense network of startups, health systems, academic institutions, investors, and public sector organizations.

MeHI’s Digital Health Sandbox Program is a cornerstone initiative supporting the development and validation of digital health technologies. Through the program, startups are matched with members of the Massachusetts Digital Health Sandbox Network to conduct pilots, usability studies, workflow validation, and clinical testing in real-world environments.

Additional initiatives include:

• Mass Digital Health Connects, a workshop series introducing innovators to the Massachusetts ecosystem;
• SHINE-HT: an initiative supporting the responsible and equitable adoption of AI in health care;
• Workforce development and mentorship programs focused on health IT and digital health careers;
• Collaboration with state agencies to support health information exchange and digital infrastructure.

Are there any EU or international funding projects your ecosystem is involved in (or would like to join) related to digital health?

As a Massachusetts-focused quasi-public agency, MeHI does not directly participate in foreign-funded international innovation programs, though we welcome opportunities for ecosystem engagement, trade delegation hosting, and knowledge exchange activities focused on digital health.

Areas of mutual interest include:

• AI in health care;
• Digital health interoperability and data exchange;
• Remote patient monitoring and virtual care;
• Digital therapeutics and preventive care;
• Health equity and access to care;
• Validation and implementation pathways for emerging technologies.

We welcome opportunities to engage with international ecosystems through relationship-building activities, trade delegations, and ecosystem exchange opportunities that may help companies establish a presence within the Massachusetts and broader U.S. market.

What types of partnerships are you seeking to strengthen your work in women’s health?

MeHI is seeking partnerships with organizations that want to work with Massachusetts based:

• Health systems and provider organizations;
• Academic institutions and translational research centers;
• Startups, scaleups, and innovation accelerators;
• Government agencies and public health organizations;
• Industry partners focused on AI, interoperability, and digital infrastructure.

We are particularly interested in partnerships that support innovation validation, commercialization, implementation science, and equitable adoption of digital health technologies.