MEDICA 2026, the world’s leading medical trade fair, will take place from November 16–19, 2026, in Düsseldorf, Germany. Bringing together more than 75,000 trade visitors and 5,000 exhibitors from around the world, MEDICA offers health start-ups a unique opportunity to showcase their innovations to an international audience of industry experts, investors, customers, distributors, and potential business partners.
Competitions for HealthTech Innovators
Health start-ups and scale-ups can apply free of charge until September 10, 2026 for two international competitions:
- 18th Healthcare Innovation World Cup® – for groundbreaking solutions in Smart Health Devices, Medical Wearables, and Digital Biomarkers.
- 15th MEDICA Start-up COMPETITION – for innovations in areas including AI in healthcare, robotics, cybersecurity, laboratory diagnostics, and digital health.
The top 12 finalists of each competition will pitch live on the MEDICA stages, gaining international visibility, valuable networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders, and, in the case of the MEDICA Start-up COMPETITION, the chance to win cash prizes of up to €3,500.
Increase Your Visibility at MEDICA
Start-ups looking to establish a strong presence throughout the exhibition can also secure a booth at the MEDICA START-UP PARK. Exhibitors benefit from a dedicated stand in a prime location, official exhibitor status, logo branding, and promotion through MEDICA’s communication channels.
Additional speaking opportunities at the MEDICA Start-up STAGE provide the chance to present innovative solutions to a global audience.
18th Healthcare Innovation World Cup