Join our online semifinals to see the selected 30 companies pitch to some of the most influential people in the healthcare investment community.
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EIT Health Catapult: fast-tracking Europe’s best start-ups
Introducing a unique competition and training programme that showcases life sciences and health tech start-ups to leading experts and investors across Europe. The programme awards the best business concepts, fast-tracking start-ups to become part of the EIT Health Community of world-leading companies.
Throughout the programme, start-ups receive intensive training as they build their credibility and visibility through pan-European exposure. Finalists pitch at the Bits & Pretzels HealthTech event as they go head-to-head for cash and industry prizes, and the opportunity to be displayed on the New York Nasdaq Tower.
30 companies have been pre-selected as the Best European start-ups for the EIT Health Catapult 2023. Join the online semifinals to see the start-ups pitch their way to success!
Catapult in numbers
EDITION
IN-KIND SPONSOR PRIZES
START-UPS SUPPORTED
INVESTORS ACTIVELY INVOLVED
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED
Investors: Discover the Next Healthcare Game-Changers
BEST-IN-CLASS
Our rigorous application process identifies the very best start-ups ready to take their business to the next level
REAL POTENTIAL
All catapult start-ups have a valuation of at least 1M and already have 500k in funding or revenue – they’re ready for take-off
EARLY ACCESS
Build contacts with tomorrow’s European healthcare leaders through a programme of year-round events
EIT HEALTH NETWORK
Access our community of leading experts and investors across Europe, and network with other leading investors and mentors
Previous winners
“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 Catapult works
1. APPLY
Apply for the 2023-2024 edition by 2 May. Tell us all about your company, team and product/service and what makes it so special.
2. GET SELECTED
Start-ups with the best products/solutions will be chosen to participate in the programme and go through the regional selections.
3. REGIONAL SELECTIONS
Start-ups battle it out to become one of the 30 start-ups selected to represent their region in the semi-finals.
4. RECEIVE TRAINING
Start-ups are paired with mentors and healthcare experts to refine their business plan and improve their pitch.
5. SEMIFINALS
Selected start-ups pitch to an investor jury for the chance to receive industry prizes and secure a place at the finals.
6. FINALS
Three life sciences start-ups and six health tech start-ups will attend the Bits & Pretzels HealthTech event and pitch their solution to 400+ experts and investors.
7. WINNERS
The life sciences and the health tech winner receive a €30,000 cash prize each. The Audience Award winner is displayed on the New York Nasdaq Tower.
What start-ups get
360° TRAINING
Get training in business modelling and planning, investment deal negotiation, and pitch preparation
VISIBILITY
Pitch your service or product to international investors and world-leading companies
PRIZES
Compete at the Bits & Pretzels HealthTech event for a cash prize of up to €30,000 and in-kind industry prizes
NY NASDAQ TOWER
The Audience Award Winner will have their start-up showcased on the New York Nasdaq Tower
NETWORKING
Connect with other ambitious entrepreneurs in the EIT Health and Bits & Pretzels networks
ADDED SUPPORT
Get mentoring vouchers, travel and accommodation grants and special in-kind awards from our sponsors
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 life sciences or health tech
- 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
The Catapult team
Partners and sponsors
BioRN
Partner
CapDigital
Partner
Medical Valley
Partner
AWS
Sponsor
eg technology
Sponsor
Lusiadas Saúde
Sponsor
McDermott Will & Emery
AstraZeneca
Sponsor
Nasdaq
Sponsor
Merck
Bits & Pretzels
Get notified when the semifinals are online!
