MEDICA Start-up Competition 2027

The MEDICA Start-up Competition looks for outstanding innovations in digital health. It is part of the Innovation World Cup series, run by Techpreneurs, and is tied to MEDICA in Düsseldorf, which the page calls the world's largest trade fair for healthcare digitalisation. Innovators from around the world can enter, so Indian health-tech startups are eligible. The winner receives €2,000 (about ₹2.18 lakh), and submissions close on 9 September 2027 at 23:59 CET, which is 04:29 IST on 10 September 2027. Entry is free.

What the program offers

The official terms, as recorded in the listing, give cash prizes of €2,000 for the winner (about ₹2.18 lakh), €1,000 for the first runner-up and €500 for the second runner-up. The competition page itself mentions cash prizes of up to 3,500 euros, so the exact split should be confirmed in the terms before you rely on it.

Beyond cash, the page lists a pitch and award ceremony on the MEDICA main event on 16 November 2027, international exposure to the MEDICA healthcare ecosystem, one-to-one introductions to potential investors and business partners, free marketing packages and global media coverage, expert advice on components, go-to-market strategy and commercial launch, and a place in the Hall of Fame for winners.

Who can apply

Submissions are open to companies, researchers, developers and other individuals who are legal adults, according to the listing. Employees of Techpreneurs and their families are excluded. The solution must be available in at least one market until the end of Q2 2028, and must not have launched before 2024. Conformity with the Medical Device Directive or FDA approval is not required. Submissions must be in English.

The categories named on the page are AI in healthcare, robotics, lab diagnostics, resilience (including cyber security) and others. A new award category covers sustainability solutions such as green hospitals, circular economy and waste management.

For an Indian founder, no country restriction is stated, and digital-health products still close to launch suit it well. It is not meant for products that launched before 2024 or ones with no route to market by mid-2028.

How to apply

1. Create an account on the Innovation World Cup website and choose the MEDICA Start-up Competition.
2. Submit your digital-health solution in English in one of the categories by 9 September 2027, 23:59 CET.
3. Wait for review; the top startups are invited to pitch at the ceremony.

A practical tip: build the submission around the six judging topics below, since that is how the judges score it. Also note that the listing mentions 23:59 PST in the terms for the same date, so submit by the earlier CET time.

How applications are judged and what happens next

All complete submissions are first filtered by a group of experts. The official judges then rate them online and anonymously on level of innovation, technological feasibility, marketing and go-to-market approach, potential time to market, commercial potential and sustainability. According to the listing, judges sign a non-disclosure agreement. The best startups are invited to pitch on the MEDICA main event in Düsseldorf on 16 November 2027, where the awards are presented.

About the organisers

The Innovation World Cup series is run by Techpreneurs, which describes itself as an open innovation platform with more than 20 years of competitions. The competition was started by Messe Düsseldorf, which runs MEDICA.

Things to check before you apply

• Prize amounts. The terms and the page differ, so confirm the figures.
• Travel. The page does not mention travel support, so assume that you would pay to attend the pitch unless the organisers tell you otherwise.
• Launch timing. The solution must be on the market by the end of Q2 2028 and must not have launched before 2024.
• Edition. The page mentions finalists of the previous edition still to be announced, so check you are applying to the right year.