MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION
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14th MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION

Driving the future of digital health

The MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION is searching for the most outstanding innovations in digital health. It aims to take innovations of start-ups to the next level by creating valuable connections and worldwide visibility. Submission categories include AI in healthcare, robotics, health apps, lab diagnostics, and others. Innovators from around the globe are welcome to submit their solutions. The "Top 12 Medical Start-ups 2025"will present their solutions in the final at the MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM.

Start-ups and scaleups can apply free of charge for the 14th MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION COMPETITION in 2025.

Pitch and Award Ceremony

18th of November 2025, 03:30 – 05:30 p.m., Hall 13, MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM

The "Top12 Medical Start-ups 2025" will present their solutions in the exciting pitch finale.

The expert jury of companies, investors and renowned experts will evaluate the 12 start-ups live on site. Afterwards, the Top3 "Medical Start-ups 2025" will be awarded in the award ceremony.

Benefits for the TOP12 Medical Start-ups

  • International visibility at MEDICA (12 speaking slots at finals pitch and award ceremony)
  • Exclusive entry to the MEDICA ecosystem featuring all major key-players and experts of the sector
  • Free marketing packages and extensive media coverage at a global level
  • Valuable expert advice for go-to-market, scaling-up, and more
  • Cash prizes up to 3.500 Euro
  • Placement in the Hall of Fame (if selected as the winners)
  • And many more!

Participation is free of charge.

Apply here!

Conditions of submission

  • Entry categories: AI in healthcare, robotics, health apps, lab diagnostics, others
  • Submissions in English
  • Available at least in one market until the end of Q2 2026 and not launched before 2017

Evaluation criteria:

  • Level of innovation
  • Technological feasibility
  • Marketing and go-to-market approach
  • Potential time to market
  • Commercial potential
  • Sustainability
Terms & conditions

Winners of the 13th MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION 2024

1st place: Robeauté

Logo Robeauté

France

Robeauté: Helps physicians to better cure their patients with neurosurgical microbots

2nd place: AGED Diagnostics

Logo AGED Diagnostics

USA

AGED Diagnostics: Accurate blood test for fatty liver disease

3rd place: Vertify GmbH

Logo Vertify GmbH

Austria

VertifyMed: Assessment of patient's imbalance symptoms through a novel approach of assessing vertigo.
Image: A group of people on a stage, some holding certificates; Copyright: Navispace GmbH

Further finalists

AI in Healthcare

Citadel AI Inc

Logo citadelAI

Japan

Citadel AI develops software tools to evaluate, monitor, and improve Health AI systems and AI-powered SaMD

Bots4you GmbH

Logo Bots4you

Germany

AI assistants for controllable automation of internal & external business processes in healthcare

U-Care Medical Srl

Logo u-care

Italy

U-Medical: Clinical-graded, CE-marked Artificial Intelligence  to improve efficiency and clinical outcomes in Intensive Care Units

Health apps

doctorderma

Logo doctorderma

Germany

DoctorDerma: App for quick diagnosis through photo analysis, aiming to eliminate long wait times for dermatologist appointments.

PharmaTrail AG

Logo PharmaTrail AG

Switzerland

PharmaTrail: Digital solutions to streamline and optimize the management of clinical trials

Lab Diagnostics

Fepod Oy Ltd

Logo Fepod Oy Ltd

Finland

FEPOD: Portable, AI-powered diagnostic devices for fast and accurate medical testing in remote or resource-limited settings.

Dxcover

Logo Dxcover

UK

Dxcover: Innovative liquid biopsy technology for the early detection of cancer through a blood test.

Robotics

Robota

Logo Robota

Italy

Robota: Automized system for the sterilization and the management of surgical instruments

goodbot gmbh

Logo goodbot gmbh

Germany

goodBot: Pipetting robot designed to meet the needs of research labs

Organization of the MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM

Logo NAVISPACE

Navispace GmbH

Program management:
Dr. Sonja Sulzmaier
Managing Partner Navispace GmbH
Phone +49 8152 99886-23
Email: s.sulzmaier@navispace.de
Partner opportunities and program organization:
Sarah Endepols
Project & Innovation Manager Navispace GmbH
Phone +49 1735 854 698
Email: s.endepols@navispace.de