Doha
The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, on Wednesday announced the launch of its 2024 Innovation Competition, inviting entrepreneurs and startups to showcase groundbreaking solutions that address the world's most urgent healthcare challenges.
Entrepreneurs in the health sector and representatives from incubation centers are encouraged to apply via https://wish.org.qa/innovation-competition-2024/. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2024 and shortlisted projects will be announced by August 2024.
Early to mid-stage health-focused startups and innovators selected through a judging process will be invited to exhibit at the prestigious WISH 2024 international healthcare summit, set to take place on Nov. 13-14, at the Qatar National Convention Centre, Doha.
The WISH Innovation Competition comprises two categories: "Young Innovators" for health startups led by founders 30 years and younger; and "Innovation Showcases" for health startups that have moved beyond the ideation phase and established their market presence for up to five years. The winner in each category will receive an investment award.
Proposals can showcase innovative solutions across all spectrums of healthcare, with an emphasis on digital health. The judging committee will assess entries based on impact, novelty, and growth potential.
In addition to the investment award, key companion benefits of the WISH Innovation Award Program, which incorporates the two competition categories, include networking opportunities with like-minded startups, health experts, investors, and local incubation centers; and access to sessions with industry experts to learn about marketing, social media, presenting, and pitching to investors. Winners will also receive an invitation to showcase their innovations at WISH 2024, which will bring together healthcare providers, ministers, insurers, investors, and industry experts.
Manager of Policy and Content, WISH, Maha El Akoum expressed WISH's pride in announcing the launch of this years Innovation Competition which seeks to discover, support and propel forward the next generation of healthcare innovators.
WISH believes that young entrepreneurs are vital to transformative health solutions, and this competition aims to provide them with a platform to showcase their early-stage startups. In addition, the Innovation Showcases category provides a stage for established startups to exhibit their novel solutions and business models, she added.
The WISH Innovation Award Program was launched in 2013 and has supported a total of 148 innovators from 36 different countries to date. Among those innovations supported are practical devices, design-based solutions, and integrated software applications, all aimed at making global healthcare more affordable, sustainable, and accessible.
