MEDICA START-UP PARK: "For those, who want to experience the startup-spirit"

When the halls of MEDICA are open to the world to showcase medical innovations, one joint exhibition booth is guaranteed to attract special attention - the MEDICA START-UP PARK. The startups that present their advances in this setting are interesting to visitors and investors, yet long-time exhibitors and big businesses can also benefit from building relationships with these young companies.

For the third time, MEDICA 2019, which takes place November 18 – 21 in Düsseldorf is host to the MEDICA START-UP PARK. At first, there were only 15, while this year features 36 startup companies ready to take this opportunity to introduce their medical innovations to an international audience. The START-UP PARK continues to grow year after year, both in terms of the number of exhibitors and the size of the venue in Hall 13. "We want to raise the START-UP PARK’s profile both qualitatively and quantitatively," says Dr. Claudio Bucchi, Senior Project Manager, Health and Medical Technologies, Messe Düsseldorf.

The MEDICA START-UP PARK sets the stage for international development. When startups want to introduce themselves to the public, they can participate in various events throughout Germany. But if they want to win global attention, they have to make their own arrangements, which can be very costly. "MEDICA is a one-stop source for startup companies", says Dr. Claudio Bucchi. "Our venue attracts more than 5,100 exhibitors from 70 countries, 70% of visitors are international experts and decision-makers featuring the biggest companies, who are also interested in connecting with startups to exhibit together. No matter where the startup comes from – the level of international presence provided by MEDICA is unmatched. No other event offers startups this wide scope of opportunities."

Big entrepreneurs alongside newcomers - at MEDICA, startups can meet investors and major companies, exchange ideas and secure financing options. Startups are offered opportunities that can open new doors: how to successfully establish and grow their business nationally and internationally, how to gain worldwide market recognition in the medical sector and how to reach their target audience or patients they seek to return to health with their innovation.

Established companies and investors also stand to gain from a collaboration with startups. Dr. Claudio Bucchi explains that “startups are far more agile and much faster in entering innovation cycles. What’s more, the startup mindset differs greatly from the way of thinking of development departments in large corporations. They are not tied to any corporate strategy and first focus on what they want to develop based on their competencies. Startups are usually founded on these premises."

Startups can showcase their medical innovations in all of MEDICA’s halls. MEDICA guests can find startups in joint exhibition booths or as individual exhibitors. "Visitors, large companies, investors and startups who seek an innovative environment and want to experience the startup spirit stop by the MEDICA START-UP PARK," says Dr. Claudio Bucchi, "The MEDICA START-UP PARK is a branding concept that directs increased attention to startups. What’s more, it also provides marketing for startup companies - something they would otherwise not get as individual exhibitors. "

The success of the MEDICA START-UP PARK also leaves its mark abroad. "Thanks to the START-UP PARK success at MEDICA in Germany, we also launched a START-UP PARK at our affiliated trade fairs in Asia. Last year, it was initiated at the Medical Fair Asia in Singapore and this year at the Medical Fair Thailand in Bangkok," Bucchi points out.

Numerous medical applications facilitating aspects of prevention, diagnostics and therapy are designed as digital products for mobile or home use.

The 36 startups from 18 nations are also presenting their innovative digital health apps this year. The MEDICA DISRUPT pitches are held within the scope of the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM, and more particularly in the START-UP PARK. These events are especially interesting for visitors who want to immerse themselves in a world of creativity. In addition to an interesting program with many sessions, the first two MEDICA days will also feature two pitches each – one will present healthcare IoT solutions at the INNOVATION WORLD CUP, the other showcases app-based health solutions at the MEDICA App COMPETITION. An international jury selected 10 participants in each category. They now have the chance to present their innovations at the MEDICA 2019 trade fair.

Last year’s winner of the INNOVATION WORLD CUP (in the healthcare category), the startup StethoMe from Poland is scheduled to participate again this year. The jury chose the StethoMe electronic smart stethoscope, a precise medical device intended for performing auscultation of the respiratory system and heart and capable of respiratory and heart rate measurement as the winner. Wojcech Radomski, CEO of StethoMe says: "We would like to present the stethoscope, how it works together with AI algorithms for children and a physician’s audiovisual dashboard."

This year, bio-T Medical will introduce its groundbreaking innovation in the world of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). Guy Vinograd, CEO of bio-T Medical underscores newcomer’s objective and says, "Our goal is to convey the message that building medical-grade IoMT solutions is not a very risky mission, and that IoMT is not only for the large companies."

Start-ups sind nicht nur für die Medizin von Morgen wegweisend – auch etablierte Unternehmen können von ihnen profitieren. Nicht selten rufen die Denk- und Herangehensweisen von Start-ups internationale Aufmerksamkeit hervor. Auch für Besucher der MEDICA, ganz gleich aus welcher Sparte, wird hier ein interessantes Feld geschaffen, das einen kreativen und innovativen Einblick in die Welt der Medizin bietet. Eines ist jedoch sicher – der MEDICA START-UP PARK wird in den kommenden Jahren weiterhin wachsen und Start-ups auf die internationale Präsentationsfläche bringen.