Forward to Health Innovation

Name: Forward to Health Innovation 2024

Category: Program, Project implementers/managers, HealthTech, Incubation

Client: EIT Health

Social/Positive Impact: The “Forward to Health Innovation” program has a significant social and positive impact by providing support and education for 13 startup teams working on innovations in healthcare. This program enables healthcare innovators to develop their ideas and technological solutions, thus advancing the healthcare sector.

Forward to Health Innovation demo dan

Introduction:

“Forward to Health Innovation” is a six-month program designed to support startup teams aiming to improve the healthcare field through innovations. This program provides support and education through an interdisciplinary approach that involves university resources, industry partnerships, and an international dimension. The program’s goal is to promote innovation in healthcare and support startup teams in their growth and success.

Results/Achievements: 

The “Forward to Health Innovation” program has achieved the following results:

  • Education and support were provided to 13 startup teams developing innovative healthcare solutions, strengthening their market readiness and business strategies.
  • Tailored educational and mentoring programs equipped participants with knowledge in business development, market validation, and investment readiness, supported by workshops, individual sessions, and community-building activities.
  • Six teams advanced to the Market Access stage and pitched their innovations before investors and industry partners during the final Demo Day.
  • Over 200 stakeholders were engaged throughout the program, including academic, corporate, and healthcare institutions — such as the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, AstraZeneca, Selvita, and Ericsson Nikola Tesla — creating a strong, collaborative innovation ecosystem.
  • Five venture capital funds (South Central Ventures, FeelsGood Capital, Vesna Capital, FilRouge Capital, and Silicon Gardens) participated as mentors and jury members, improving startups’ access to finance and investment opportunities.
  • The program established new collaborations with leading technological and healthcare institutions, expanding access to technical infrastructure and real-world testing environments.
  • The program reached over 62,000 people through media and social networks.

Overall, Forward to Health Innovation strengthened Croatia’s healthcare innovation ecosystem by connecting startups with critical expertise, investors, and resources, empowering a new generation of founders to advance healthcare innovation across Europe.
werxe filip pravica Forward to Health Innovation
Forward to Health Innovation - team
brainprime srecko gajovic Forward to Health Innovation

“I’ve participated in several startup programs with different ideas, and this program has been by far the best, from the approach, energy, and expertise to the results and potential. I’m already recommending the Smion approach to all my colleagues in the startup world. It was a great experience, and I would gladly go through the program again. – FTHI Participant