Health Innovation Zone: Pre-validation programme

Service description

The Health Innovation Zone is a specialised pre-validation programme designed to accelerate the market readiness of HealthTech startups. This programme is uniquely crafted to support innovators developing digital health solutions, medical devices, and AI-driven healthcare applications. It addresses the critical needs of early-stage startups by providing a comprehensive pathway from concept validation to regulatory compliance. The programme runs for 6 months and includes three key phases: 1) Pre-Validation & Mentoring: Startups receive tailored mentorship from healthcare experts and regulatory advisors, focusing on product validation, clinical requirements, and go-to-market strategy. 2) Pilot & Use Case Testing: Participants gain exclusive access to pilot environments within our network of medical institutions and Living Labs, enabling real-world testing and feedback from end-users and healthcare professionals. 3) Market Access & Networking: The programme culminates in a Demo Day where startups present their validated solutions to investors, healthcare stakeholders, and strategic partners. Matchmaking sessions facilitate partnerships and international scaling opportunities. Targeted at HealthTech startups at TRL 4-7, the programme is ideal for innovators looking to validate their solutions in real healthcare settings and accelerate regulatory approval. Expected outcomes include validated product-market fit, clinical readiness, and strategic partnerships for scaling. Mode of implementation is hybrid, combining in-person pilot testing and online mentoring sessions. Health Innovation Zone is the only programme in Romania offering structured pre-validation and direct access to pilot use cases (such as public hospitals), making it a vital launchpad for HealthTech innovation.

Sector

Digital and Information communication technology

Health and medical care

Pharmaceuticals

Technology Readiness Level

TRL 4 – Technology validated in lab

TRL 5 – Technology validated in relevant environment

TRL 6 – Technology demonstrated in relevant environment

TRL 7 – System prototype demonstration in operational environment

Financial requirements

The mentoring and coaching sessions are offered free of charge.
The pilot testing and access to healthcare institutions is charged at a fee of €1000 per institution, including multiple meetings, iterations, solution testing and medical users feedback collecting.

Disclaimer related to service

The cohort starts each year in June, late registration is possible for the EIC beneficiaries until August.

Are you in doubt if this is the right service for you, or do you want to get more information about the service? Get in touch with the EIC Partner providing this service through this query form!

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Service

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Service ID

What is the challenge you want to overcome with this service?

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At which Technology Readiness Level is your innovation or solution?

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Why do you need this Prototyping & PoC service?

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