On The Journey of Building Digital Businesses: From Digital Health Care To Clean Fashion

On the journey of building digital businesses
From digital health care

to clean fashion
Dipl.-Wirt. Inf. Christian Remfert
remfert@mediquu.de | mediquu.de
mediQuu
Digital I Footer
Business I ….
21th of November 2022
Hi, I’m Christian
Nice to meet you!
• Studied Information Systems at the University of Muenster / ERCIS

• Has worked as a research assistent at the IOS group (Prof. Dr. Stefan Klein) and the Research
Group on Strategic Information Management (Dr. Alexander Teubner) as well as
• an IT project manager at the Landwirtschaftsverlag Münster
• Is an associate lecturer for IT project management at the Institute for Geoinformatics /
University of Muenster
• Has founded a small technology consulting company in 2010 and helped companies to build
digital solutions until 2015
• Founded and is still managing director of mediQuu, a specialized IT solutions provider for digital
health
• Is the Head of IT at GoBlu and leads an international development team for The BHive
• Is a guest speaker on different conferences and in classes regarding digitalisation in health care
Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Building Digital Businesses
Agenda

Agenda

Agenda -
The case of mediQuu
German Health Business Case:

Care System mediQuu

Agenda -
The case of mediQuu

Care System mediQuu

German Health Care System
Some Key Facts: Characteristics
The German Heath Care System is characterised by
• Being a system financed on the basis of solidarity: German citizens do not pay solely for each medical treatment specifically. Rather they
pay a fixed sum (according to their income) to their health insurance. This in turn finances the care of all its patients, regardless of the paid
fee.
• This is different to other nations like the USA (except „Obama Care“), where everyone pays for himself
• Health care system not only covers „normal“ medical care but also care of old, disabled and/or chronically sick people
(„Pflegeversicherung“)
• Patients can be insured with either a statutory or a private health insurance. The benefits of private health insurance are generally better,
but the premiums are higher and rise sharply, especially in old age
• The payment/reimbursement of medical care (provided by doctors) is based on a very complex system

Some Key Facts: Exemplary Regulations in Ambulatory Care
• Medical Doctors are not allowed to
• Give your patient records to other doctors, hospitals, etc. without your permission (due to GDPR)
• Store data regarding your treatment without your commitment
• Recommend other doctors or pharmacists to patients
• Advertise themselve
• Take care of patients in geographical regions different to their own location („Fernbehandlungsverbot“ / „Ban on remote treatment“)

Some Key Facts: Regional Differences in Ambulatory Care
Urban Area Rural Area
1
Medical Doctor
1.041 2.000
patients patients
Source: [3]

Some Key Facts: „Patients Journey“ and „Cash Flow“
Capped!
Medical Doctor (SP) Hospital
Capped!
KV
Medical Doctor (GP)
Health
fund
Source: [2]
Insurance
Patient

(Some) Key challenges of the current system with regard to ambulatory care
• Number of patients per doctor increase dramatically (especially in the rural areas)
• Less time per patient
• Overloading of the doctors
• No financial incentives due to capped compensation
• People are getting older (demographic change)
• Elderly patients are more frequently or seriously ill or are multi-morbid (need specialised practitioners)
• Young doctors wish for a better work-life balance
• They therefore apply in the city instead of going to the country (young talents are a key issue in rural areas)
• They prefer working in a hospital rather than self-employment
• No central storage of patient records
• No standardized exchange between doctors, pharmacists, etc. on patient data
• Close joint care of patients is still an exception - especially with pharmacists
• BUT: 250,000 cases of illness per year due to drug intolerance

Key Challenges in Ambulatory Care summarized
• German Health Care System is strongly underfinanced!
• Insurance premiums are not sufficient anymore, mainly due to demographic change
• Doctors are overburdened and are not reimbursed according to expenditure
• Care structures are getting worse, especially in rural areas
• Hospitals are becoming fewer and fewer
• Pharmacies close
• Doctors are not willing to work in rural areas
• Patients have longer distances to nearest hospital, doctors (especially specialized ones), pharmacy, etc.
• Number of doctors decreases
• Patients have to wait longer for appointments with specialists, sometimes a few months
• Incompatible technology
These are just a few challenges -

there are many more!

Agenda -
The case of mediQuu

Care System mediQuu

mediQuu
Who we are
• We are a technology provider for communication and information products in health care
• Beginning: Development of an app to allow patients to communicate with
their doctors (App zum Doc)
• Owner-managed, no external shareholders or investors, Münster-based
• Now specialised on solutions for professional communication and data exchange,
i.e. Applications for:
• The management of doctors' networks
• Highly secured data exchange
• Highly secure chat communication
• Advanced routing of patients
mediQuu I Footer ….
Our Credo
What makes us different
• No data collection and no „profiling“
• Data is exchanged only highly encrypted
• Complete technical infrastructure is hosted in Germany
(Deutschen Telekom) to be GDPR-compliant
• Applications are developed in collaboration with medical providers
• Exchange solutions are TÜV-certified
We believe: Digitalisation has to support the current processes, not vice versa!
Otherwise, technology won’t be adopted and hence would not lead to enhancements.
mediQuu I Footer ….
Our Approach
How we address issues in health care
Our IT solution digitizes the medical care in

regions and is oriented to the requirements of
the service providers and patients.
HOSPITAL MEDICAL
DOCTOR
We do not develop "individual software",
PATIENT
but an integrated platform.
CARE
MEDICAL
DOCTOR
Ap
p
zu
APOTHEKE
PHARMACY
m
D
o
c
Our Product for Patients: App zum Doc

Our Product for Patients: App zum Doc
BASIC ENTRY COMPLETE ENTRY
Call and Navigation functionality + Request appointment
Opening times + Request medication
Range of services + Request transfer sheet
Link to own homepage + Retrieve medical plan
„Seal“ of Doctors Networks + Retrieve photos

Our Products for Professionals
Network Manager Connect Mobile App / Chat

Network Manager
• Maintain medical members of network
• Multi messenger: Send messages simultaneously
by mail, fax, text message and push notification
• Surveys in realtime: spread surveys by mail and
push notification and get answers in realtime
• Organize events by managing invitations, registrations, check-in
• Share documents via cloud:
Distribute documents and access them
even by smartphone
• Manage multiple calendars with fine-granular access by medical
members
• Organize, manage and analyze anonymous and encrypted patient
surveys for quality assurance

Connect
• Smart and easy exchange of documens
between doctors, pharmacists, clinics, nursing homes, etc.
• Secure fax alternative
• Can be used with each doctor information system
• Send documents of all kinds securely
• Only for authorized senders and recipients

Mobile App
• Chat functionality similar to What‘s App
with the difference that each communication is secured and
compliant to German data privacy law
• 1:N communication between doctors
• Doctor-to-Doctor appointment request
• Collegial exchange (e.g. for second opinion)
• Access to network information:
• Calendar
• News
• Mailbox
• Cloud
• Events
• Surveys

Ask the A!
Joint project with
Apothekerkammer Westfalen-Lippe
• Patients who visit the emergency service

often have the problem that the nearest
emergency pharmacy does not have the
medication in stock
• Nearest emergency pharmacy is often
dozens of kilometers away
• „Ask the A“ allow patients to request if
an emergency pharmacy has the
medication in stock
• It allows for intelligent routing of patients

Our Business Model
According to the Business Model Canvas

Our Business Model
Value Propositions
Our products…
• relieve and simplify everyday processes
• allow secure, but comfortable

communication
• make joint patient care more reliable and

faster
• connect normally independent actors
• ensure data integrity
• Ongoing development
• User-friendly
• Trustful company

Our Business Model
Key Partners
• Doctor’s Networks
• Umbrella organisations
• Association of Statutory Health

Insurance Physicians (KV)
• Consultancies
• Technology providers (Telekom)
• Auditors (TÜV)

Our Business Model
Key Resources Key Activities
• Partnership with managers of • Software development with

doctor’s networks
„Privacy by design“
• Software development & UX • Feedback events with customers
design experience
• Demand request events
• Scalable and dynamic • Conference / on-premise

infrastructure plattform
presentations
• „Bleeding edge“ technology • Sponsoring

Our Business Model
Customer Relationships Channels
• Personal
• Conferences
• Based on partnership
• Press articles
• Honest and confidential

• Awards
• Direct contact with managing • On-premise talks
directors • Mouth-to-mouth

Our Business Model
Customer Segments
• Doctors networks
• Single Doctors (GP / SP)
• Umbrella organisations (of doctors,

pharmacists, patients, etc.)

Our Business Model
Cost Structures Revenue Streams
• Data centre and infrastructure • Subscriptions 

platform
(Software-as-a-Service)
• Audits and certifications

• Projects
• Legal consulting (lawyers)

• Private
• Freelancers
• Public
• Travelling costs
• Consulting
• Rents
• Mobility

Summary mediQuu
What we have learned in the last years: Challenges for a Digital Health Startup
• Technology adoption is quite slow in heath care
• You need a lot of patience... sometimes decisions take 2 years!
• Some doctors fear new technology a lot (Fax is still the most used communication channel)…
• … while others believe they can do software development on their own
• Even small prices are too expensive
• Unforeseeable political steps
• Uncertainty regarding data privacy, reimbursement of new technology
• Overwhelming amount of apps and technology
• Huge differences in terms of expectations (all actors)

Agenda

33
Challenges
Lack of
Wet processing units are
time &
unable to provide
accurate and correct
tools
chemical inventories to
secure MRSL compliance/ Human Lack of
Product Safety and/ meet errors routines
Detox (Greenpeace)
Commitment of the brands.
Low visibility
= Lack of Lack of
knowledge conformity
Inability to initiate documents
and track change

The solution
Digitizing Chemical Management
The BHive® is an innovative

chemical inventory generator
and data platform.
Made for Brands

All chemical inventories, from all
of wet processing factories are
generated and gathered, all in one place.
Made for Factories

Factories use a smartphone to easily
generate chemical inventories and check
chemical compliance.

How does it work?
1. Scan 2. Upload 3. View & Share 4. Data consolidation

Factory scans Once all the chemical Both Factory and Brand Brands receive transparent,
chemical products are can instantly see product accurate, analysed data from
products using captured, Factory info & whether chemicals all participating facilities, from
BHive app. uploads the data onto meet specific sustainability all countries, under one roof.
the database. criteria.

The App The desktop platform
Factories create Factory view Brand view
chemical
Chemical inventories enable full Full transparency over their
inventories easily
transparency over chemical chemical supply chain
by taking pictures
compliance
of product labels
Low tech
requirements

Deep dive into the desktop platform
Gain access to suppliers’ compliance performance based
on MRSL, brand criteria, industry standards
Edit your inventory
Various options to filter and download inventory lists entry and add data
like CAS No.,
List of non-verified chemi- Compliance performance Consumption,
cal products development Expiry Date, Stock
Location etc.
Corrective Action Plans Number of connected

for non-verified chemical brands and distinct
producs formulas

14
Industry Partners, e.g. GIZ,
OEKO-TEX, GOTS, SCIVERA,
Nimkartek
30
Countries in Asia, Europe
and the Americas
PPP project with GIZ, Bestseller, Deltex, Lindex,

Orsay
40 Partnered Brands
✓ Implementation partner for chemical inventories in 600
factories
65 Chemical companies
joined ZDHC and non-ZDHC brands (non-
1600 Factories enrolled
2.700 Chemical suppliers in the data

base
105K
Chemical products in our
database from original source

BENEFITS FOR MILLS
QUALITY DATA REPORTING
Preline
Easy, centralized access to data Meet customer and stakeholder
Headline expectations on chemical
PERFORMANCE monitoring
Fließtext
Receive …accurate chemical data
Performance monitoring of
chemical goals
EFFICIENCY Ongoing improvements to tailor
Reduced time and workload

to specific brand requirements SHOW
Fast and easy application Full transparency of compliant
chemicals
Fewer manual input errors INDUSTRY
Less time spent entering data Show control of chemical usage
and checking accuracy
One stop solution to comply with
Less time spent checking international brands, retailer and Show commitment on improving
compliance against conformity certification standards. chemical compliance to
documents customers

Our partners about The BHive®
"In CY2021 we’re employing The BHive® technology to digitize the chemical inventory of much
of our supply chain. Consolidating this data on one, universal platform will improve chemical
traceability and our ability to actively monitor chemical use to continuously mitigate potential
health and safety risks to workers in supplier factories. Our chemical management system also
directly influences our
water impacts."
- p. 59 in the VF Corporation 2020 “Made for Change Report”
"Our experience of using The BHive® has been very positive - it not only
streamlines chemical inventory management and certification applications for
our suppliers, but it also gives us an accurate global overview of the chemicals
being used in our supply chain in real time. We are confident that this solution
can be rolled out across our whole supply chain, and we hope our experience
will inspire other brands to adopt this solution so that chemical inventory
transparency will be the norm for the industry."
- Felicity Tapsell, Responsible Sourcing Manager, BESTSELLER

Our Business Model
According to the Business Model Canvas

Our Business Model
Value Propositions
Our products…
• make the chemical part of the supply chain

of fashion brands transparent
• Help to comply with current and upcoming

laws (e.g. EU supply chain law)
• Provide overviews and knowledge to fashion

brands and suppliers
• Help to make fashion „greener“ by avoiding

pollution (for water, air, etc.)
• Help to make labour more fair across the

world

Our Business Model
Key Partners
• Fashion brands
• Distributors / Retailers
• Chemical industry
• Standard holders
• Auditors

Our Business Model
Key Resources Key Activities
• In-depth knowledge of market and • Collaborating with fashion brands

regulations
and retailers
• Understanding of problems, • Feedback rounds
issues and challenges

• Engagement for stake holders
• Huge and unique database of • Conferences and webinars
chemicals and their usage

• Public Private Partnerships
• Scalable and dynamic (country development)
infrastructure plattform
• „Bleeding edge“ technology

Our Business Model
Customer Relationships Channels
• Close collaboration with brands • Conferences
and retailers, chemical industry • Press articles
and auditors
• Awards
• Personal, but professional • Networking

Our Business Model
Customer Segments
• Fashion producing industry
• Chemical industry
• Fashion Brands
• Auditors
• Retailers

Our Business Model
Cost Structures Revenue Streams
• Data services (e.g. databases of • Subscriptions 

standard holders)
(Software-as-a-Service)
• Data centre and infrastructure • Projects
platform
• Private
• Audits and certifications

• Public
• Freelancers
• Consulting
• Travelling costs
• Rents

Comparing both Business Models

Differences
mediQuu The BHive
Market Regulated Non-regulated
Make supply chain transparent across related

Aim Connect independent actors
actors
Avoid data collection and keep privacy high Keep privacy high, but collect anonymous
Data privacy & Usage
as possible data to derive new insights
Time to market Moderate Fast
Growth Moderate, organic Fast, but also organic

Similarities
mediQuu & The BHive
Relations Close partnership & Supplier/Customer-Relation (market mechanism)
Aim Make the world a better place :)
Development Agile, user centric, based on feedback

Sounds interesting? We’re hiring!
We are looking for developers, business analysts and project managers
• You like to be part of a fast-growing startup located in Münster?

• You are interested in designing technologies for a better world?
• You would like to strengthen your communications skills by collaborating with companies of each
size around the world?
• You are interested to work open-minded, explore new technologies, build prototypes and bring in
your own ideas?
• You are interested in data science or analytics?
• You want to work with cutting edge technologies and big infrastructures across the world?
We offer student, part-time as well as full-time positions

with good salary, flexible work place & times and career development plans!
If you are interested, get in touch with me:
remfert@mediquu.de

Thanks for coming!
Digital
mediQuu I 27th Iof 21th
Business of November
January 2020 2022
References
[1] https://www.hausarzt.digital/politik/kbv-und-kven/stadt-land-arzt-55018.html#lit3
[2] https://www.kbv.de/html/1019.php
[3] https://www.spiegel.de/gesundheit/diagnose/arztdichte-in-deutschland-existieren-grosse-regionale-unterschiede-a-1265621.html
[4] https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/fileadmin/files/BSt/Publikationen/GrauePublikationen/Studie_VV_Digital-Health-Anwendungen_2016.pdf
[5] https://www.apple.com/de/newsroom/2019/03/ecg-app-and-irregular-rhythm-notification-on-apple-watch-available-today-across-europe-and-hong-
kong/
[6] https://www.elvi.de
[7] https://apps.apple.com/app/id1099986434?l=en
[8] https://apps.apple.com/de/app/mytherapy-medication-reminder/id662170995?l=en
[9] https://www.gematik.de/telematikinfrastruktur/
[10] https://www.selfapy.de
[11] https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/688545/umfrage/anzahl-der-verfuegbaren-gesundheits-apps-nach-app-store/
[12] https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/digital-healthcare-act.html
[13] https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/news/artikel/2016/09/13/jens-spahn-philosophiert-ueber-die-zukunft-der-versorgung
[14] https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/panorama/patientendaten-105.html
[15] https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/br-recherche/patientendaten-101~_origin-0e4c185a-8d92-41c2-ac8d-a067647275fb.html

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On the journey of building digital businesses

From digital health care

• Studied Information Systems at the University of Muenster / ERCIS

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

German Health Business Case:

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

German Health Business Case:

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Urban Area Rural Area

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Medical Doctor (SP) Hospital

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

These are just a few challenges -

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

German Health Business Case:

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Our IT solution digitizes the medical care in

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

BASIC ENTRY COMPLETE ENTRY

Call and Navigation functionality + Request appointment

Opening times + Request medication

Range of services + Request transfer sheet

Link to own homepage + Retrieve medical plan

„Seal“ of Doctors Networks + Retrieve photos

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Network Manager Connect Mobile App / Chat

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

• Patients who visit the emergency service

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

• relieve and simplify everyday processes

• allow secure, but comfortable

• make joint patient care more reliable and

• connect normally independent actors

• ensure data integrity

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

• Association of Statutory Health

• Technology providers (Telekom)

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Key Resources Key Activities

• Partnership with managers of • Software development with

• Software development & UX • Feedback events with customers

• Scalable and dynamic • Conference / on-premise

• „Bleeding edge“ technology • Sponsoring

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Customer Relationships Channels

• Honest and confidential

• Direct contact with managing • On-premise talks

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

• Single Doctors (GP / SP)

• Umbrella organisations (of doctors,

Digital Business I 21th of November 2022

Cost Structures Revenue Streams

• Data centre and infrastructure • Subscriptions

• Audits and certifications

• Data centre and infrastructure • Subscriptions 

• Data services (e.g. databases of • Subscriptions 