With the DMEA nova Award, DMEA, Europe's leading event for the digitalisation of healthcare, is putting the spotlight on pioneering digital health innovations. The competition gives young companies the opportunity to present their concepts to an interdisciplinary jury and an international audience of experts. The aim is to support the development of new ideas for tomorrow's healthcare and to promote exchange between start-ups, potential partners, investors and users.

Call for ideas until 15 January 2026

Start-ups founded in 2022 or later can now apply for the DMEA nova Award 2026. The focus is on five topics that address the central levers of digital transformation:

• Strong together for tomorrow's healthcare – regionally networked, close to people
• Digital. Effective. Future. – Shaping e-medicine & e-care
• Focus on patients: empowerment as the key to better decisions
• Resilient technology for secure digital solutions – trust and stability in practice
• Value & quality as a priority – thinking about processes efficiently and effectively

With the special WILDCARD category, the award also opens the door to unconventional approaches beyond the specified topics – for anyone who wants to consciously break with familiar patterns and bring new perspectives to the table.

Start-ups can only apply in one topic area; multiple applications are not possible. The applications for the Call for Ideas can be submitted in German or English. The live pitches at DMEA will be held exclusively in English.

From application to live pitch at DMEA

All submissions will be evaluated by an independent, interdisciplinary jury of experts. In mid-February 2026, the 20 most promising start-ups will be nominated and receive an exclusive invitation to present their concepts live at DMEA in Berlin.

In the final session on 23 April 2026, the most convincing idea will be awarded the DMEA nova Award. The winning start-up will receive a prize kit worth €7,500 – and will also benefit from high visibility and direct contacts with industry decision-makers at DMEA.

The DMEA nova Award is more than just a competition – it is a springboard for young digital health pioneers. Start-ups have the ideal opportunity here to network with clinics, cost bearers, industry, science, politics and investors. DMEA provides the stage to present innovative solutions, attract attention and accelerate market entry and scaling.

Review: DMEA nova Award 2025

At DMEA 2025, the award went to PAICON from Heidelberg. The start-up develops AI-supported solutions for novel, personalised cancer diagnostics – from a technologically and genetically broad data repository to regulatory-compliant AI models. In an interview with DMEA, CEO and co-founder Dr Manasi Aichmüller-Ratnaparkhe talks about the opportunities the award has opened up and what she recommends to start-ups that also want to apply.

Interested start-ups can find all the information they need to apply on the DMEA website.