Understanding where your startup fits in this spectrum is important for application success. If you’re very early stage and need validation, challenge funds may be more realistic initially; if you’re ready for large scale deployment, flagship grants are relevant. In the rest of this blog post, we’ll focus especially on how to prepare and apply, step-by-step.

Understanding the Funding Landscape in Asia & Telemedicine

Before you apply, it helps to appreciate the current landscape: what kinds of funding are flowing, where the priorities are, and what you need to demonstrate. Here are some key insights:

• In Q2 2025, Asia-Pacific digital health funding reached $1.2 billion, led by AI, diagnostics and health-management solutions. That shows demand and investor appetite.

• Telemedicine specifically ranks among the most deals in Southeast Asia health-tech.

• But despite the growth, many telehealth programmes still face funding uncertainty, infrastructure challenges and sustainability issues. For example, Bangladesh’s rural telehealth network ran into crisis after major donor cuts.

• The WHO emphasises digital-health innovation must be “based on country needs”, not simply technology for technology’s sake.

• Governments may prioritise solutions that address underserved populations, rural access, maternal and child health, epidemic readiness and AI-driven efficiencies.

So what does this mean for your startup?

• Your proposal must clearly tie to a health system need, preferably in a specific country or region.

• Show readiness: technology prototype, team, partnerships, pilot data.

• Consider sustainability: how will the solution scale? How will it be adopted post-grant?

• Choose the right grant type: early-stage? or scale-up? Target accordingly.

Step-by-Step Application Guide for Newcomers

If you’ve never applied for a health tech grant, here’s a step-by-step guide. I’ll number the steps so you can follow through in order.

Step 1: Identify Relevant Grant Calls

• Monitor websites of key agencies: WHO Innovation Hub, national health ministries, bilateral donor agencies (e.g., Korea’s MOHW), regional innovation platforms.

• Review “Open Calls” or “Challenge Funds” specifically mentioning digital health/telemedicine.

• When you find a call, note all the key details: eligibility, deadline, funding amount, project duration, thematic focus, required country/countries, partnership requirements.

• Example: The WHO’s “AI for All” Innovation Challenge (2025) is a call for AI solutions in public health.

Step 2: Map Your Startup to the Grant’s Focus

• Does your startup solve a problem aligned with the funder’s health priorities (e.g., rural access, maternal health, pandemic preparedness)?

• Do you match the technology category (telemedicine, remote monitoring, digital health, AI)?

• Do you meet the geographic criteria (Asia region, specific country)?

• Can you form required partnerships (e.g., with a hospital, ministry of health, academic institution)?

Step 3: Build Your Team, Partnerships & Evidence

• Ensure you have a committed team with the right capability (tech, health domain, business).

• Identify a partner organisation: e.g., a hospital, health system, NGO in the target country. Many grants require real-world deployment or pilot.

• Collect any prior evidence: prototype, user data, pilot outcomes, technology validation. Donors like seeing proof of concept.

Step 4: Prepare Grant Documents

Typical required documents include:

• Project proposal or concept note (including problem statement, solution description, innovation/technology, target users, scalability)

• Work plan or timeline

• Budget (how funds will be used)

• Sustainability plan (how project will continue post-grant)

• Risk and mitigation plan

• Monitoring & evaluation (M&E) framework

• Team profiles / CVs of key personnel

• Letters of partnership/support from collaborating organisations

• For health-tech: regulatory, ethical and data-privacy considerations.

Step 5: Write a Compelling Proposal

When writing:

• Start with a strong problem statement: What gap in the health system are you addressing? Use data/insights.

• Then describe your solution: what your technology does, how telemedicine (digital platform, remote monitoring, etc) will work in context.

• Explain why now: what makes your tech timely (e.g., rural access, COVID-19 aftermath, digital health maturity).

• Show impact potential: number of users, health outcomes improved, cost reduction, scale potential.

• Demonstrate ability to deliver: team experience, previous pilots, partnerships.

• Provide a realistic budget and timeline: funds usage, milestones, deliverables.

• Outline sustainability and scalability: how will this continue or expand beyond grant?

• Attach appendices if needed: diagrams, user stories, existing data.

• Remember: follow the funder’s instructions exactly: page limits, template format, language.

Step 6: Submit Before Deadline & Follow Guidelines

• Often there’s an online submission portal. Ensure you register early.

• Check for required attachments, mandatory fields, signatures.

• Seek feedback (internally or via mentors) before submitting.

• Some calls may require pre-screening or expression of interest (EOI) first.

Step 7: Be Ready for Interview / Clarification

• Some grants will invite shortlisted applicants for video/phone interviews.

• Be prepared to present your startup, demonstrate your tech, show readiness to implement.

• Prepare slides, demo if possible.

Step 8: After Grant Award – Implementation & Reporting

• Once awarded, you’ll need to deliver on your milestones.

• Ensure you have project management, monitoring, and reporting processes.

• Budget tracking is essential.

• Many donors require mid-term and final reports, with evidence of outcomes and lessons learnt.

Step 9: Use the Grant as Springboard

• Leverage your success: publish results, use pilot data to attract further investment.

• Build on partnerships: use the hospital/health system collaboration to scale regionally.

• Share learnings: engage with the health ecosystem, become recognised in your field.

Key Comparisons & What to Choose

To decide which call to target and how to position your startup, consider these decision factors:

• Stage of your startup: Early MVP? Seek accelerator or small seed grant. Scale-ready? Go for flagship grants.

• Geographic match: Some calls demand specific countries (e.g., South Korea, Philippines).

• Health system alignment: If you have a ready hospital partner and measurable outcomes, choose the higher-tier grants.

• Technology readiness: Some grants expect you to be at TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 5–6; others tolerate earlier stage.

• Budget size required: Ensure your project budget aligns with grant size. Avoid over- or under-scoping.

• Sustainability plan: Donors increasingly focus on “what happens after the grant”.

• Team readiness and partnerships: Start assembling early.

Benefits of Applying for Grants in Telemedicine/HealthTech

Applying (and ideally winning) such grants yields several key benefits:

• Non-dilutive capital: Grants don’t require giving away equity, which is especially beneficial for early-stage startups.

• Validation: Being awarded a competitive grant acts as social proof that your solution and team are credible.

• Access to networks and mentors: Many programmes include mentoring, partner introductions, ecosystem support.

• Pilot in real-world health systems: You gain direct access to hospitals, ministries or public systems, which is harder to get via pure private funding.

• Evidence building & scalability: With pilot funding, you can generate data that helps attract venture capital or customers.

• Regional / global exposure: Some grants provide visibility beyond your country, enabling future expansion.

Real-world Example

For example, the AI4Health Asia programme provided seed funding (up to USD 6,250) and commercial/technical support for startups in South & Southeast Asia integrating AI into health.
Another example: South Korea’s MOHW voucher scheme supported startups working with partner hospitals and provided up to ~$280 k.
These demonstrate that donor/government funding is real and substantial.

Common Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them