EIC to Showcase 18 Health Tech Innovators at MEDICA 2024 in Düsseldorf
- ›The European Innovation Council will host 18 EIC-supported companies at the EIC Pavilion during MEDICA 2024 in Düsseldorf from 11 to 14 November.
- ›Fifteen companies were selected through the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 and three additional EIC Tech to Market beneficiaries have dedicated space at the pavilion.
- ›Participants took part in a pre-departure workshop and will receive coaching, matchmaking and on-site business development services.
- ›MEDICA offers wide sector exposure across AI, biotechnology, health tech and medical devices but converting leads into commercial deals will require follow-up, regulatory progress and market readiness.
EIC to Showcase 18 Health Tech Innovators at MEDICA 2024
From 11 to 14 November 2024 the European Innovation Council will host a delegation of EIC-backed health technology companies at the EIC Pavilion during MEDICA in Düsseldorf. MEDICA is held alongside COMPAMED and is widely regarded as one of the largest global trade fairs for health care industry innovation. The EIC presence is part of its Business Acceleration Services and the International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 which aims to support the internationalisation of deep tech small and medium enterprises.
Who is participating
The delegation comprises 15 awardees selected under the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 plus three EIC Tech to Market beneficiaries that have a dedicated space at the pavilion. The group spans companies working in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, medical devices, and health tech applications. Participating firms come from across Europe and associated countries, and include early stage scaleups alongside ventures preparing for clinical or commercial scale.
| Company | Country | Programme |
| AKKNATEK GMBH | Germany | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| Axelera AI | The Netherlands | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| BRAINCAPTURE APS | Denmark | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| CHECK POINT CARE LTD. | Bulgaria | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| DERMAGNOSTIX GMBH | Germany | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| GLUCOSET AS | Norway | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| GO-PEN APS | Denmark | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| METAFORA BIOSYSTEMS | France | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| MYSPHERA SL | Spain | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| PLAS-FREE LTD | Israel | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| PhosPrint | Greece | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| POROUS GMBH | Germany | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| SEQUENTIA BIOTECH SL | Spain | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| Interlinked AB | Sweden | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| TIME IS BRAIN SL | Spain | EIC ITF 3.0 |
| Modulux3D | Germany | EIC T2M |
| Physio MRI Tech SL | Spain | EIC T2M |
| PROMETHENZ | Spain | EIC T2M |
Preparation and support provided to companies
A preparatory, interactive online workshop was held on 19 September. The session gathered the 18 participating companies with senior EIC representatives, market experts and MEDICA organisers. The objective was to give detailed briefings about trade fair opportunities, explain onsite matchmaking services and ensure that participants are better prepared for engagement with industry stakeholders.
What MEDICA offers and what it does not guarantee
MEDICA is an established marketplace for medical technology buyers, hospital procurement officers, device manufacturers, suppliers and investors. For startups the trade fair represents a condensed window to generate leads, solicit feedback from clinicians and buyers, and raise visibility with international partners. COMPAMED, the parallel event, focuses on medical components and supply chain technology which can be valuable for device makers.
Trade fairs can accelerate introductions but they rarely substitute for downstream commercial work. Converting meetings into sales often depends on regulatory approvals, clinical evidence, pricing and reimbursement strategy, distribution agreements, and local commercial teams. The EIC’s coaching and matchmaking can help but success will vary by company readiness and market fit.
Context on EIC programmes
A closer look at an exhibitor example
One of the exhibiting companies, PhosPrint from Greece, develops laser-assisted bioprinting technologies that enable precise, contact-free placement of living cells using Laser-Induced Forward Transfer. The method aims to support in-vivo bioprinting and ex-vivo tissue constructs. Technologies like this illustrate the type of advanced, deep tech solutions EIC funding targets but they also highlight the long and regulated path to clinical use.
Practical next steps and contact information
Companies and observers interested in the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme can find details on the EIC Community platform and follow calls for participation ahead of each trade fair. The EIC Community Helpdesk is the contact point for questions about the MEDICA participation and applicants are asked to select the event category labelled 'EVENT - EIC ITF Programme – MEDICA 2024' when submitting inquiries.
Implications and critical perspective
Showcasing at MEDICA can be a meaningful milestone for EIC-backed health tech startups. It signals institutional endorsement and opens doors to buyers and investors. Yet the trade fair is a starting point rather than a finish line. For European health tech companies the tougher work remains achieving regulatory clearance, demonstrating clinical value, securing distribution and executing on business development. The EIC’s suite of support services reduces friction but does not eliminate the structural barriers that often determine whether early commercial traction converts into sustainable growth.
Readers should note that announcements of participation and preparatory activities reflect the EIC’s programme commitments. Outcomes in terms of deals, investments or clinical progress will only be known after the event and through subsequent reporting by the companies and the EIC.