DMEA nova Award
DMEA nova Award – New Ideas in Digital Health
The DMEA nova Award provides startups in the Digital Health sector a platform to present their groundbreaking ideas and forward-looking concepts live in front of a professional audience.
At DMEA 2026, 20 nominated startups will compete against each other in separate sessions (preliminary rounds). In the Final sSession on April 23rd, the top four startups from the preliminary rounds will pitch for the DMEA nova Award 2026. The startup with the most compelling idea, as decided by the votes of the expert jury and the audience, will be crowned the winner and receive a Prize Kit valued at EUR 7,500.
Take this opportunity to showcase your project, build valuable connections with investors, partners, and clients, and significantly expand your network in the industry. Applications open on December 3rd.
Road to DMEA nova Award 2026
- 1. Open Call for Ideas (application period: December 3, 2025 to January 15, 2026)
Startups (founded in 2022 or later) are invited to apply with their pitch deck on predefined topics. - 2. Evaluation period (January 19 to February 19, 2026)
The expert jury will review all submitted pitch decks and nominates the 20 most promising startups for the live pitches at DMEA in April. - 3. Live Pitches (April 21 and 22, 2026)
On the first two days of DMEA,, 20 nominees will present their ideas and solutions live to the audience and the expert jury in four preliminary rounds at DMEA - 4. Final Session & award ceremony (April 23, 2026)
The four winners of the preliminary rounds will pitch at DMEA for the DMEA nova Award in the Final Session. - 5. DMEA nova Prize Kit valued at EUR 7,500
Entry Rules
Free application for all startups with a maximum of 5 years' history of foundation (2022 and younger).
Any startup exhibiting at the "Startups & Innovation" Area of DMEA can apply via the Call for Ideas. Other startups can participate once in the application process and, if nominated, at the event. Repeat applications will not be considered.
Each startup will be given one chance to apply for a pitch at DMEA 2026 on one selected key topic. Multiple applications will result in the exclusion of all applications in which the startup is involved. The application period is binding, subsequent applications will not be considered.
Applications may be submitted in German or English, all presentations and pitches at DMEA must be held exclusively in English.
Applications can only be submitted via the Application Portal.
(The link will be provided at the start of the application period.)
DMEA nova Award WINNER 2025: PAICON
PAICON's solution is based on the fact that most AI models in cancer diagnostics today are trained on limited, homogeneous data sets, leading to biased AI models, inaccurate diagnoses, misaligned treatment plans and increasing inequalities in healthcare.
PAICON is changing that. Their AI-driven solutions integrate machine learning, a genetically and technologically diverse Cancer Data Lake, and regulatory-compliant AI models to drive a new era of personalized cancer diagnostics.
Media Partner
Important Documents
Terms of Participation for DMEA nova Award (bvitg)
Data protection notification of bvitg Service GmbH for program participation