EIT Health Catapult: fast-tracking Europe’s best start-ups

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.

Start-up applications for the 2022 Catapult programme are now closed. Please check back in January to apply for the 2023 edition.

Why get involved

By taking part in EIT Health’s Catapult programme, successful start-ups receive high-quality, bespoke training in business modelling and planning, investment deal negotiation, and specialised pitch preparation, while gaining access to Europe’s top healthcare experts and investors. Together, these factors are creating a European-wide success story:

YEAR OF OPERATION

START-UPS ALREADY SUPPORTED

INVESTORS ACTIVELY INVOLVED

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED

IN-KIND SPONSOR PRIZES

What you get

PRIZE MONEY

Pitch your business plan at the EIT Health Summit for a chance to win a cash prize of up to €40,000

360° TRAINING

Optimise your business plan and strengthen your ability to confidently and successfully pitch your start-up with top experts

VISIBILITY

Increase awareness of your health service or product among renowned healthcare experts and investors

NETWORKING

Connect with other ambitious healthcare start-ups and world-leading biotech, medtech and digital health companies in the EIT Health network

SERVICES

Tap into the EIT Health ecosystem of acceleration services for support in key areas, such as validation and international expansion

NY NASDAQ TOWER

The Audience Award Winner will have their start-up showcased on the New York Nasdaq Tower

ADDED SUPPORT

Receive mentoring and coaching vouchers, travel and accommodation grants and special ‘in kind’ awards from our sponsors

Introducing the EIT Health Catapult

Watch how the EIT Health Catapult boosts the development and visibility of the most innovative start-ups in biotech, medtech and digital health, connecting them with leading experts and international investors.

“If there is one event you should apply for in Europe, it’s definitely this one. The training was far beyond any programme I had been in before. But the most important is the reputation, as after winning the competition, several funds reached out to me.”

Pau Rodríguez, MeThinks CEO, Digital Health Winner 2020

“EIT Health Catapult is a shortcut to enable access to professionally prepared investment cases. Companies are sourced systematically from across Europe and offer investors a chance to meet companies that have been de-risked.”

Kerry Ritz, Board Member and Angel Investor

“The pitch training was remarkable. We had never been as prepared to pitch as we were during this competition, undoubtedly.”

Allan Rodriguez, VitaDx CEO, 2nd place in Medtech category 2018

“The Catapult prize allowed us to convince a pool of Business Angels to invest more than €1M in the creation of DENDROGENIX, a new spin-off Biotech company of Affichem in Belgium, with a worldwide ambition.”

Stéphane Silvente, Affichem & Dendrogenix CEO, Biotech Finalist in 2017

“Catapult is an amazing opportunity for biotech, medtech and digital health companies to meet colleagues, learn from them and share best practices. You also have access to motivated mentors to fine tune your final pitch and business model.”

Montserrat Barcelo Riera, Mentor, Vice President Europe at Veristat Inc.

How it works

Submit an application

1 of 4

14 March 2022
Don’t miss the deadline! Tell us all about your company, team and product/service – and what makes it so special.
Applications for the 2022 programme are now closed. Check back in January to apply for the 2023 edition.

Regional Selections

2 of 4

At this stage of the competition, start-ups battle it out to become one of the 42 start-ups selected to represent their region in the semi-finals. Each chosen start-up then receives intensive training on business development and pitching.

Semi-Finals

3 of 4

Semi-finalists in each category — biotech, medtech and digital health — are paired with mentors and pitch to an investor jury for the chance to be one of the 21 finalist and be awarded with the sponsor in-kind prizes.

European Final

4 of 4

24 May 2022
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.

Submit an application

1 of 4

Regional Selections

2 of 4

Semi-Finals

3 of 4

European Final

4 of 4

Who should apply

The Catapult is open to all start-ups and spin-offs that are:

A micro/small enterprise (less than 50 employees)
Involved in biotech, medtech or digital health
Innovative and highly promising business concepts
Already incorporated and operating in an EU country
Looking for seed or series A funding of at least €500k
Self-valued at €1M+
Received at least €500K in public or private funding or generated €500k in revenue last year

Have questions?

If you have questions about the EIT Health Catapult, we can help you. Reach out to a member of our team in your region who can guide you in your entrepreneurship journey at EIT Health.

You can also watch one of our informational webinars to hear from programme organisers and alumni.

Ready to apply?

Start-up applications for the 2022 Catapult programme are now closed. Please check back in January to apply for the 2023 edition.

Investors: Meet Europe's best new start-ups

Here’s your opportunity to help finance an innovation in biotech, medtech and digital health with the potential to shape the future of healthcare and benefit millions of people. Contact us to learn more about these promising start-ups.