The first edition of the Start-up Podium, a platform to engage in a dialogue on innovation and start-up was launched at the Hitex City in Hyderabad from 3rd to 5th May at Mediko 2019.
An initiative to bring together individuals and start-ups at the forefront of healthcare innovation across industries and functions. The event was one of its kind that offered product demos, innovation showcase, expert talks along with B2B networking to explore synergy and develop partnerships with industry players.
The three ways of engagement at the Start-up Podium was through Innovation Talks where the experts and decision makers shared the insights and learnings; Networking platform for the start-ups to showcase their innovation and connect with innovation leaders of the industry and Innovation Showcase where the start-ups showcased their ingenious solutions to the MedTech stakeholders and players from academia and industry.
Over the three days there were several discussions, presentations and conversations with key industry and academia players on incubation, innovation, commercialisation and technology translation in the area of healthcare. Some of the speakers and panellists were heads of incubators, faculty, mentors and entrepreneurs from University of Hyderabad, IKP Knowledge Park, LV Prasad Eye Institute, CCMB Atal incubation Centre, IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Hyderabad (OJAS)etc. The discussions and conversations revolved around thenuances of mentoring, difference between Consulting Vs Mentoring, stating that the former delivers outcomes while the later shows results, difference between healthcare and life sciences start-ups from the other high-tech start-ups, women participation in the MedTech space, investment interest and challenges in the MedTech space and hospital and start-up collaboration. The candid conversations and discussions provided valuable insights to the start-ups and viewers. It also provided a good platform for the entrepreneurs to connect and interact with the decisions makers as the program was very focussed.
On the third day of the program a start-up competition was organized. 10 teams were shortlisted for the live pitch at the start-up podium, the pitches were very diverse addressingdifferent areas in the healthcare space like rehabilitation and assistive technology, surgical simulation, neonatal care, neuromotor disorder diagnosis etc. The jury comprised of incubation heads, successful entrepreneurs, healthcare consultants and investors who asked very pertinent questions focussed on business and technology alignment. Three start-ups won the competition and were awarded a small cash prize as an encouragement.
Overall, it was great kick off to the first edition of the Start-up Podium. Multiple shows are curated and designed by start-up podium for the exhibitions and trade show, the next upcoming show is in Thailand.We would be excited to partner potential partners to organize the start-up podium.
http://startup-podium.com/
