The HealthTech Investor Summit invites European healthcare innovators to experience this future firsthand. This groundbreaking event, held on 9–11 December in Bruges, is bringing together 27 different countries, showcasing 100 innovators – from promising startups to scale-ups with market-ready solutions. More than 90 investors will join to help propel these innovations into the mainstream.
Why Europe Matters in Health Innovation
Let’s be clear: Europe excels at innovation. The Summit is a rare chance to meet the best and brightest in European healthcare technology. As the first and only event in Europe dedicated to connecting healthtech entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and clusters, it is a vital step toward creating a unified, thriving ecosystem.
A Program Designed for Impact
- On Tuesday, December 10, patient Julie Verlinden will take the stage to share her inspiring story. Julie, who has been using a wheelchair following a devastating car accident, is participating in a groundbreaking clinical trial testing a novel technology designed to improve her quality of life. She will share her journey together with Rob Nijs from ONWARD Medical.
- Company Pitches: Expertly selected startups and scale-ups present the “cream of the crop” in European healthtech, medtech and digital health.
- Networking and Panels: Dive deep into topics like patient-driven innovation, regulatory challenges, and how to build support for future health innovation.
“Julie is a reminder of why this conference matters so much,” says Ann Van Gysel, CEO of MEDVIA. “Her journey is a testament to the transformative potential of health innovation and the urgent need to bring these solutions to patients around the world. Patients cannot wait. They must be at the heart of innovation, driving forward the technologies that can change their lives.”
Challenges Facing HealthTech Innovators
Despite Europe’s world-class hospitals, research institutes and engineering talent, healthtech innovation faces significant barriers:
- Regulatory Hurdles: Outdated systems struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology, creating bottlenecks for R&D and market entry.
- Funding Gaps: Scarce venture capital, and early-stage investors weary of the regulatory hurdles in Europe, often leave innovators unable to realize their full potential, pushing them toward other markets.
“Belgium has an incredible healthcare reputation and fantastic innovators,” Van Gysel laments. “But without regulatory reform and better financial support, we risk falling behind. That’s why this Summit exists – to bridge the gap and ensure innovations can grow into life-changing solutions.”
Fueling Moonshots
Van Gysel emphasizes that the Summit isn’t about incremental changes. “We’re not interested in technologies offering marginal improvements,” she says. “We’re here to support moonshots – transformational ideas with the potential for real impact. But moonshots need rockets, and rockets need fuel.”
This is why MEDVIA established the HealthTech Investor Summit in 2023: to connect Europe’s rising stars with investors and industry leaders willing to take bold risks and support transformative innovation.
Uniting for a Common Goal
To drive this vision forward, the Summit has partnered with 56 health innovation clusters, forming a powerful network of Knowledge Partners. Together, these organizations are creating a cohesive ecosystem, ensuring innovators can find the resources, funding and market access they need to succeed.
“The only way to overcome hurdles like regulations, reimbursements and market access is to come together as a united European ecosystem,” says Van Gysel. “By joining forces, we can move forward and transform the health system, together.”
The HealthTech Investor Summit is not just an event; it’s a movement. Join us to help shape the future of health.
