Deadline:
April 27, 2026
Location(s)
Sweden Worldwide
Stockholm
Overview
European Health Catapult (EHC) is a training and competition programme that boosts the development of top-notch European health start-ups through exposure to leading experts and international investors.
Introducing a unique competition and training programme that showcases biotech, medtech and digital health start-ups to leading experts and investors across Europe. The programme recognises and awards the very best business concepts, fast-tracking start-ups to become part of the EIT Health Community of world-leading companies.
This one-of-a-kind, rigorous and rewarding competition spotlights start-ups that offer best value to users and customers. Throughout the process, start-ups receive intensive training as they build their credibility and visibility through pan-European exposure. Finalists are showcased at the EIT Health Summit as they go head-to-head for their share of the €210,000 investment prize fund with the Audience Award Winner displayed on the New York Nasdaq Tower.
Details
The programme is organized by EIT Health with the support of the Health Axis Europe. It is operationally run by Cap Digital and Medical Valley with support of BIORN, Medicen and a community of +20 European partners, all leaders of healthcare innovation.
EHC awards the best-of-the-best business concepts from medtech, biotech and digital health across Europe.
Every year the programme sources and accelerates 42 European start-ups in biotech, medtech and digital health that get high-quality training in business modelling and planning, investment deal negotiation and pitch training, as well as a facilitated access to top level experts and investors.
European Health Catapult is one of a kind programme in the abundant offer of similar start-up acceleration programmes in Europe and globally.
The EHC start-ups are fast-tracked to becoming part of the EIT Health Community of world leading medtech, biotech, pharma and IT companies and international class research organizations in health care as well as the EIT Health Investors Network that unites international investors (VCs, Corporate VCs, Business Angel, and Crowd Investors).
We are proud to see EHC Catapult listed as one of the six best biotech events in Europe!
The competition passes through three stages:
- Regional selections
- Training days and finalists selection including pitch, business plan modelling and deal negotiation trainings
- Final during the EIT Health Summit
THE REGIONAL SELECTION
A pre-selection amongst the applicants is made by each region, based on a common set of criteria. They have assessments to assure that the quality of startups representing their region is outstanding in an international context.
The best regional startups in each of the categories, Medtech, Biotech and Digital Health, will be identified in May 2021. In total 42 companies across the three categories will proceed to the Semi-Finals.
The start-ups will be involved in the EIT Health network of world leading medtech, biotech, pharma and IT companies and world class research organizations in health care as well as the EIT Health Investors Network that unites international investors (VCs, Corporate VCs, Business Angel, and Crowd Investors).
THE SEMI-FINALS
Training and selection events, called semi-finals, will be held in October 2020. Each Semi-Final hosts 21 international start-ups. Half of them will have a chance to participate in the Final
DAY 1 & 2 – MENTORING & TRAINING
During the first two days of a semi-final participating start-ups are teamed up with mentors (experienced entrepreneurs, investors and international experts) to strengthen the company’s value proposition. Mentors review and optimise the company’s business plan and provide intensive pitch training in order to improve the start-ups abilities to perform a funding roadshow in front of international seed or A series investors.
DAY 3 – PUBLIC EVENT: COMPETITION AND INVESTOR MEETINGS
The top half of the companies ranked in the semi-final are selected as finalists and invited to pitch in Paris at the EIT Health Summit.
THE FINAL
Finalists pitch to 500 industry experts and investors at the EIT Health Summit, and the top three start-ups in each category win a cash prize: €40,000 for the first place, €20,000 for the second place,€10,000 for the third place. For the Audience Award Winner, a further prize is to have their start-up displayed on the New York Nasdaq Tower.
The EIT Health Summit is the annual gathering of the EIT Health consortium.
More than 700 multi-disciplinary stakeholders, representing the entire healthcare innovation landscape, are expected to come together for 2 days, to hear from and interact with experts and opinion leaders, decision makers and cutting-edge innovators on the topics most relevant in healthcare today.
There will be extensive opportunities to network with leading representatives of industry partners, healthcare providers, payers and investors (business angels, corporate VCs and crowd funders).
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
The Catapult is open to all start-ups and spin-offs that are:
- A micro or small enterprise (less than 50 employees) according to the EU SME definition
- Active in Life Sciences (Drugs, biologics, gene therapies, synthetic biology, drug discovery platforms) or HealthTech (Digital health or Medtech)
- Already incorporated and operating in an EU/Horizon Europe or Horizon Europe associated country (evidenced by an incorporation certificate)
- Funded with private investment of at least EUR 500,000 (proven by a signed investment agreement or an official capital registry; exception if raised registered capital from private investors) or at least EUR 500,000 revenue last year (proven by audited financial statements or official accounts)
- Looking for funding of at least EUR 2 Million
- Year of incorporation: not older than 10 years
- Submit proposals in English. Proposals in other languages will not be accepted
Dates
Deadline: April 27, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
WHY PARTICIPATE?
- 360° TRAINING: Optimize your business plan and strengthen your ability to pitch in front of top-level investors and industry experts
- VISIBILITY: Pitch in front of major seeds or series A investors of world leading medtech, biotech, pharma and IT companies
- PEER-TO-PEER CONNECTIONS: Connect with noteworthy innovative healthcare start-ups from all over Europe and a rich alumni program with follow-up networking events
- NETWORKING/PARTNERING: Get access to the high class network of EIT Health and Health Axis Europe and connect with world leading medtech, biotech, pharma and IT companies.
- SERVICES: Get access to the unique EIT Health Accelerator ecosystem and services in crucial areas such as clinical validation (Living Labs and Test Beds) and market preparation for internationalization (GoGlobal)
- PRIZE MONEY: At the EIT Health Summit, the “best of the best” business plans in the categories Medtech, Biotech and Digital Health will be selected by a panel of globally renowned healthcare experts and investors.
In each category, the 3 winners of the Grande Finale get a prize money:
- €40.000 for the first place
- €20.000 for the second place
- €10.000 for the third place
In addition to official Jury Prizes, the EIT Health Summit participants select their preferred start-up to receive an honorable mention: Alex Casta Audience Award.
COST COVERAGES AND OTHER PRIZES:
The participation in the programme includes multiple benefits and grants such as review of the Business plan, pitch training, exposure to experts and investors.
Prizes for the 42 Semi-Finalists
- €5 000 Mentoring and Coaching Network vouchers (more details here)
- €1 000 travel and accomodation grant
Prizes for the 21 Finalists
- €2 000 grant for production of professional commercial company video (included in the EIT Health PR)
- €1 000 travel and accomodation grant
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
