A significant event, the Demo Day marking the conclusion of the Get Started In Health Innovation program, took place on Friday, December 1. The event featured quality pitches, an engaging panel, and, of course, networking.
Demo Day brought together all interested participants in the health startup ecosystem, startups, investors, and visitors eager to learn more about the program, health ideas, and innovations.
The gathering was welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Innovation, Technology Transfer, and Cooperation with the Economy at the University of Zagreb, Prof. Dr. Tomislav Josip Mlinarić, who opened this prominent event. Filip from the innovation agency Smion, a co-organizer of the program, acquainted us with the motivation and needs for launching the Get Started In Health Innovation program.
To delve deeper into the importance of ecosystem development, an introductory panel was organized, which was a brilliant contribution to the program and the event primarily due to the panelists.
Nikolina Skaron, M.D., Head of Market Access and Corporate Affairs at AstraZeneca, Dr. Sc. Ino Protrka, M.D., Director of the Health Center Zagreb Centar, and Dr. Sc. Adrijana Vinter, Head of the Drug Discovery Department and Member of the Management Board of Selvita S.A., expressed diverse views and experiences from other countries such as Poland and the United Kingdom in the discussion. The panel, moderated by Vlatka Petrović, Head of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Zagreb, emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences among different representatives. It is crucial to consider the opinions of healthcare providers, multinational companies, researchers, academics, and participants in the startup ecosystem, as they all need to act with the same goal of improving the startup ecosystem for the greater good.
At the Demo Day of the Get Started in Health Innovation program, the eagerly awaited pitches of six teams that entered the program’s second phase took place. The teams—Emhance, Mamini, Medqual Analytics, Morbus, Novela Medica, and Nume Health—presented their innovations to investors and representatives of three funds: Kristian Asani, Senior Associate at Silicon Gardens; Stevica Kuharski, Partner at Fil Rouge Capital; and Renata Brkić, Managing Partner at Feelsgood Capital. The teams Emhance, Mamini, Medqual Analytics, Morbus, Novela Medica i Nume Health responded to occasionally provocative but constructive questions, seizing the opportunity for initial discussions about investments.
With the program’s current results and activities, which involved two generations, 27 startups, and over 60 participants, Filip introduced us and announced interest in participating in the program in 2024.
The goal of the Get Started In Health Innovation program is to empower and support innovative startups in the field of health technology in Croatia and help them succeed in the global market. Pre-applications are open for the Get Started In Health Innovation program for 2024, and you can apply through the provided link.
Special thanks are due to the companies Selvita, AstraZeneca, and the British Embassy Zagreb, who are proud sponsors of the entire program.