SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 13, 2025 - MEDICA 2025 is set to reaffirm its position as the world's leading marketplace for medical technology and healthcare innovation. From November 17-20, the Düsseldorf exhibition center will once again become a global hub for healthcare start-ups, investors, and industry decision-makers, with more than 80 young companies from across Europe, the U.S., and Asia showcasing breakthrough technologies at the MEDICA START-UP PARK in Hall 12.
Global Start-ups Compete to Redefine Future Health Tech
This year's MEDICA lineup underscores how entrepreneurial agility is reshaping healthcare. Hundreds of early-stage ventures from Germany, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Spain, the U.S., and beyond are expected to pitch new solutions spanning robotics, diagnostics, digital health, and artificial intelligence. Two major highlights will take the spotlight: the HEALTHCARE INNOVATION WORLD CUP on November 17 and the 14th MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION on November 18.
From more than 480 applications, the most promising finalists will compete live on stage at the MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM. A distinguished panel of judges from business, academia, and venture investment will evaluate technologies across five categories - Robotics, Health Apps, Lab Diagnostics, AI, and Other Innovations.
"Start-ups bring the necessary dynamism and creativity into the healthcare sector. MEDICA offers them the perfect global stage for that," said Carmen Berger, Director MEDICA at Messe Düsseldorf, ahead of the competition finals.
AI Solutions Target Early Diagnosis and Emergency Care
Among the finalists, several ventures stand out for their clinical and operational impact:
- Aisthesis Medical (UK) has raised $1.2 million to advance VIOSync Sepsis Prediction Index, a hospital data platform using explainable AI (XAI) to predict sepsis onset up to 48 hours before symptoms appear.
- Prometheus MedTech.AI (Poland) applies AI to prenatal ultrasound videos to detect congenital heart defects during pregnancy.
- Virtuosis AI (France) analyzes over 400 vocal parameters to identify stress and burnout. The plug-in for Microsoft Teams has already attracted attention at the Élysée Palace, where it was presented to French President Emmanuel Macron.
- SVAN (Safe Vascular Access Needle) (Austria) provides rapid intraosseous access within 90 seconds-critical in neonatal and veterinary emergencies.
- Aghetto (Italy) and GO-Pen ApS (Denmark) bring ergonomic design to one-handed syringes and reusable insulin pens, respectively.
Smart Connectivity and Sensor-Driven Insights
The HEALTHCARE INNOVATION WORLD CUP showcases 12 international finalists from more than 250 applicants. Germany's Connected Consumables transforms traditional tubing into intelligent medical networks by embedding data lines that recognize drugs, patients, and sensors in real time.
Switzerland's Watchibia bridges consumer and clinical monitoring by turning classic wristwatches into smart health trackers, while Taiwan's Neurobit Technologies uses eye-tracking AI to diagnose dizziness and balance disorders. Swedish company Rheo complements the lineup with wearable biosensors for continuous vital sign tracking - a promising tool for high-risk patient management.
Record Year for the MEDICA START-UP PARK
Adjacent to the Innovation Forum, the MEDICA START-UP PARK welcomes a record number of exhibitors. Among them:
- Bottneuro (Switzerland), pioneering Alzheimer's treatment through a custom 3D neurostimulation helmet.
- Power Orthotics (Germany), developing robotic orthoses that help patients regain hand movement after paralysis.
These innovators reflect a growing global shift toward AI-enabled, data-driven healthcare devices, where early detection, patient autonomy, and workflow efficiency define competitiveness.
A Platform for Investment, Collaboration, and Market Access
Beyond product showcases, MEDICA 2025 acts as a launchpad for strategic partnerships between start-ups, medtech corporations, and healthcare providers. By fostering collaboration, it accelerates technology transfer and market readiness-an essential dynamic as digital health adoption and regulatory pathways mature across Europe and North America.
For full event details, visit medica.de/mif1 (MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM) and medica.de/msup1 (START-UP PARK). General event information is available at medica.de.