The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) 2024 Innovation Competition was announced at Web Summit Qatar 2024. During the ‘Innovating in Health: Pathways to Success’ session, held at the Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council pavilion, delegates were informed about the application process and its benefits.
The panel featured insights from Katarina Hedbeck, CEO and co-founder of Tada Group and WISH 2022 grand prize winner, alongside Professor Mahmood Adil, Ministerial Advisor at the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar. They discussed the government’s role and collaboration with key partners in fostering a healthcare innovation ecosystem in Qatar. Sultana Afdhal, CEO of WISH and a member of Qatar Foundation, rounded out the discussion.
The competition is open to visionary entrepreneurs and early to mid-stage health-focused startups and innovators looking to present groundbreaking solutions to the world’s pressing healthcare challenges. Winners, chosen through a judging process, will be able to exhibit at the prestigious WISH 2024 international healthcare summit, scheduled for November 13-14 at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha.
Sharing her journey, Hedbeck stated: “Tada Group is passionate about providing innovative solutions to unmet health needs. We were delighted to showcase our ReLink medical device at WISH 2022. ReLink addresses the issue of accidental disconnection of IV therapy, enhancing safety and outcomes for users. The WISH Booster competition offered invaluable exposure, and I encourage anyone wanting to promote their startups to participate.”
Winners will not only showcase their innovations at WISH 2024, which will gather healthcare providers, ministers, insurers, investors, and industry experts, but they will also receive an investment award. Additional benefits include networking opportunities with fellow startups, health experts, investors, and local incubators, as well as access to sessions on marketing, social media, presentations, and pitching to investors.
Professor Adil highlighted the positive role of governments, stating: “As policymakers and regulators of healthcare services, we must foster the exploration and adoption of innovative ideas to tackle today’s health challenges. WISH provides an excellent platform for connecting health innovators with commissioners and policymakers, all working to shorten the innovation cycle and deliver life-changing opportunities to communities.”
Ahead of the session, Afdhal remarked: “WISH is thrilled to announce this year’s Innovation Competition at the inaugural Web Summit Qatar. With its focus on groundbreaking solutions and global connectivity for innovators, it represents an ideal launch pad. We hope the WISH Innovation competition continues to catalyze startups worldwide, bringing their innovative ideas to those who can transform them into scalable solutions.”
Launched in 2013, the WISH Innovation Award Program has supported 148 innovators from 36 countries, fostering practical devices, design-based solutions, and integrated software applications aimed at making global healthcare more affordable, sustainable, and accessible.
Interested innovators, click here
Applications will open soon, with a deadline of May 30, 2024. Shortlisted projects will be announced in July/August 2024.
