Zagreb, October 2024 – The Croatian startup Brave Bear, a rising star in the country’s innovation scene, has introduced the groundbreaking EUDoctor platform, which aims to bridge the gap between patients in Croatia and medical professionals across the European Union. This pioneering platform provides quick and easy access to online medical consultations, offering a modern solution to the challenges of today’s healthcare system.
From Incubator to Innovation
Founded through Algebra’s business incubator, Brave Bear launched EUDoctor in late spring 2024. Despite its recent inception, the platform is already gaining significant attention, with its services expanding beyond Croatia’s borders. The platform offers patients the ability to consult doctors online, bypassing the need for lengthy waits and travel, which are still common in Croatia’s traditional healthcare system.
According to Tonka Hibler, co-founder and marketing director of Brave Bear, the EUDoctor platform represents a cutting-edge approach to healthcare:
“Our desire isn’t to replace the current traditional healthcare system, but to open an additional channel for healthcare advice and consultation to all those in need.”
Currently, EUDoctor offers general consultations, but the company plans to expand its services to include a wider range of specialist care, positioning itself as a supplement to traditional healthcare.
A New Path for Overburdened Healthcare Systems
The launch of EUDoctor could not have come at a better time. Croatia’s healthcare system is notorious for its long waiting lists and overburdened facilities. Through EUDoctor, patients can now seek advice or get a second opinion from medical professionals across the EU without physically visiting a doctor’s office. This not only helps patients get faster care but also alleviates pressure on Croatia’s healthcare infrastructure.
Hibler highlights the advantages of the platform:
“This innovative platform enables patients to get advice or a second opinion without physically going to the doctor’s office, and gives doctors the opportunity to work with patients from all over the EU.”
Legal Challenges and Future Expansion
While EUDoctor is seen as a future-forward solution, Croatia’s legal framework has been slow to adapt to EU healthcare directives, which has posed some challenges for Brave Bear. As a result, the company has had to shift parts of its operations to other EU countries where the regulatory environment is more favorable. However, Brave Bear remains committed to ensuring that Croatian citizens can continue using EUDoctor without issues, including the ability to obtain prescriptions through the platform.
The startup is also focused on ensuring that transparency and ethical standards remain at the forefront of their work. According to Hibler:
“We’ve always been and want to remain a transparent and responsible startup that operates in accordance with the highest ethical standards.”
The Future of EUDoctor
Looking ahead, EUDoctor is poised to become a leader in telemedicine throughout the EU. The platform has already garnered interest from investors across Europe, and Brave Bear is in negotiations for a new round of funding that will help propel its growth. The startup is optimistic that EUDoctor will soon be recognized as a key player in Europe’s telemedicine industry, helping to improve healthcare access for patients across the continent.
As Hibler concludes:
“We’re sure that EUDoctor will become a leader in telemedicine in the entire EU. However, we’re aware that we’re still at the very beginning, and there are still challenges waiting for us along the way.”
With its sights set on expansion, Brave Bear is paving the way for a future where healthcare is more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered, not just in Croatia, but across the European Union.
