Medica App competition opens for submissions

The seventh Medica App competition has been launched at the world’s largest medical trade fair.

Developers of health apps have until 30 September to submit their proposal, with 10 going on to be selected for a live pitch to be held at Medica.

 The criteria for this year’s competition is not solely on the app, but on a well-thought out solution for the day-to-day use of patients, doctors and clinics.

Organiser Mark Wächter said: “A drone that delivers medical products and can be controlled via smart phone, for example, is a possible award-winning solution.”

The competition is designed for applications that run on smartphones, smartwatches, tablets or AR/VR glasses. Developers submitting applications should have a connection to professional medical technology but start-ups still in an early stage are also welcome.

The Medica App competition’s jury of experts will select 10 start-ups to compete in the live pitch, which will take place in Hall 15 at the Düsseldorf trade fair centre. Finalists will present their applications on the Medica Connected Healthcare Forum stage on Wednesday, 14 November.

Each team will have three minutes to pitch their solution and will be given another two minutes to answer questions.

Last year’s winner was iSikCure, a digital healthcare service that aims to give users access to healthcare, particularly in Africa. The iSikCure application allows patients to communicate with their doctors, laboratories, chemists and other suppliers in the field of healthcare via smart phone.

The competition’s first place winner will receive €2,000, second place will be awarded €1,000 and third place will receive €500.

Medica takes place 12-15 Novemebr at the Messe Dusseldorf.