Munich health startups Attention: The Health-i Award is entering its next round! Startups from the German healthcare sector are once again being sought whose solutions will advance healthcare delivery. The focus is on projects, products, and business models that improve care and create new approaches to healthcare. The initiative will recognize the three best teams in Hamburg in October.
Companies based in Germany with up to 500 employees are eligible to participate. A prerequisite is that their innovation is already certified or has been tested in a pilot study.
Application process
The jury evaluates the submissions based on four criteria: novelty, scalability, patient benefit, and market potential. Startups must already demonstrate initial progress, for example through CE certification or pilot projects.
The selection process takes place in several stages. After the application phase, a community vote will be held in the summer. The jury will then decide on the finalists in a live session. The award ceremony will take place on October 15, 2026, at the Design Zentrum Hamburg.
Network and visibility are the focus
For the participating startups, access to networks is just as important as the award itself. Finalists present their solutions to representatives from the healthcare and business sectors and gain additional reach through various channels.
The three winning teams will also receive support with communication and preparation for investor meetings. This includes campaigns, training, and workshops.
Jens Baas, CEO of Techniker Krankenkasse, says:
"Meaningful digital health innovations must become a natural part of medical care in Germany." They are a key factor for a sustainable system.
Also Charlotte Morré, member of the editorial board at Handelsblatt, assesses the role of young companies:
"Such innovations determine how future-proof our supply system is."
The Health-i Initiative has been organizing the competition since 2016 and is aimed at startups in the healthcare sector. It connects stakeholders from business, science and healthcare and aims to make digital innovations in healthcare more visible.
Here You can find more information and apply here.
