EIC-backed companies at MEDICA 2025 — overview

MEDICA will convene the global medical industry in Düsseldorf from 17 to 20 November 2025. As the world’s largest B2B medical trade fair, it traditionally attracts more than 5 000 exhibitors and around 80 000 visitors. The European Innovation Council is sending a 15-company delegation to exhibit at the EIC Pavilion. The cohort spans diagnostics, digital health platforms, remote monitoring, robotics and novel device materials. For these startups and scaleups, MEDICA offers exposure to investors, hospital procurement teams, distributors and potential industry partners.

Why MEDICA matters for EIC beneficiaries

Trade fairs remain one of the quickest ways for medtech firms to generate qualified leads and early commercial partnerships. MEDICA combines product exhibition with conferences and targeted matchmaking. For EIC-backed companies this convening can accelerate internationalisation but it does not solve persistent commercial barriers. Getting hospital contracts, reimbursement and regulatory clearance across multiple markets still depends on clinical evidence, pricing negotiations and local distribution strategies.

The 15 EIC-backed exhibitors and what they say they do

EIC preparation, services and logistics for MEDICA participants

The EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 provides selected EIC beneficiaries with coaching, market briefings and matchmaking services ahead of and during trade fairs. The MEDICA delegation will attend an online pre-departure workshop on 20 October. The EIC says it will also run reverse-pitch sessions, one-on-one investor meetings and onsite matchmaking to help companies convert leads into pilots, distribution agreements or investment conversations.

What to watch for and what the claims mean in practice

The companies in this delegation present a mix of technologies at different stages of maturity. Some list regulatory clearances and published studies while others highlight pilot data or product claims. Exhibiting at MEDICA is an important step but not a guarantee of market uptake. Procurement cycles in hospitals are long and evidence requirements for reimbursement differ widely across Europe and extra-EU markets. For digital and AI solutions there are additional hurdles such as clinical validation against standard of care, data governance, interoperability and explainability of algorithms.

How the EIC ITF 3.0 programme fits in

The EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 runs to 2026 and covers sectoral trade fairs in Europe, North America and the MENA region. Its stated objective is to accelerate internationalisation of EIC awardees by combining pavilion presence with preparatory coaching and matchmaking. Participation is open to EIC-supported SMEs that apply to open calls. The programme offers pre-departure briefings, onsite support and post-fair follow-up. While this reduces some market entry frictions it does not replace the work companies must do to generate clinical evidence, secure procurement champions and agree reimbursement pathways.

Practical note

Exhibitors often distribute product literature and catalogue entries at the fair. The EIC hosts materials and a MEDICA catalogue on its community platform for registered users. Attendees should verify claims in company literature with regulatory records, peer reviewed publications and independent clinical evaluations before making procurement or investment decisions.

Bottom line

MEDICA 2025 will spotlight 15 EIC-backed companies with technologies that reflect current priorities in diagnostics, remote monitoring, device coatings and biomanufacturing. The EIC’s trade fair support can amplify visibility and open doors to partners and investors. Still, companies claiming breakthrough performance must follow through with rigorous evidence, clear regulatory routes and scalable go-to-market plans before their solutions influence clinical practice at scale.