Start4Health challenge 2023: Shaping healthcare’s digital future 

Founded in 2020 in Thessaloniki, Greece, the Pfizer Center for Digital Innovation (CDI) is part of Pfizer’s global Digital network. The Start4Health challenge was launched in collaboration with the non-profit organization SciCo and Found.ation, underscoring Pfizer CDI’s commitment to fostering innovation in healthcare. 

Diverse proposals in the Open Call phase 

During the Open Call phase, a wide range of interesting proposals came in, showcasing the spirit of innovation in Greece. These ideas covered different areas like digital health, bioinformatics, business intelligence, and eco-friendly innovations. Out of these strong submissions, a careful review led to the selection of five outstanding companies for the next step: the Acceleration phase. 

Acceleration Phase: nurturing innovation 

The chosen five teams embarked on a dynamic six-week Accelerator phase, guided by mentors, coaches, and Pfizer executives drawn from the technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The selected companies included: 

• Advantis: AI-driven and pure web-based medical imaging platform for the processing and visualization of brain and prostate MRI exams intended to be used for the diagnostic workflow of prostate cancer, brain cancer, traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders. 
• Aisthesis Medical: revolutionizing acute care by digitalizing the entire patient pathway into a single platform and by utilizing advanced machine learning models to predict potential hemodynamic complications. 
• Cognitiv+: An AI platform that empowers businesses by automatically extracting information from contracts, policies, and legislation, providing useful insights. 
• Euclia: developing AI solutions through its platform to accelerate the design of safe, sustainable and functional therapeutics & chemicals. 
• Quantum Biometronics: a new way to illuminate the eye with light and monitor the change of pupil diameter upon illumination, being regulated by the brain. This is the first laser pupillometer in the world, offering unprecedented precision, and the potential for early diagnosis of several pathologies of the eye/brain.  

Pinnacle at Final Pitch Day: Recognizing innovation 

The Accelerator phase culminated in a momentous event – Final Pitch Day. Held on July 19, 2023, at the Pfizer CDI premises in Thessaloniki, this day saw the presentation and evaluation of the five proposals. A distinguished panel comprising experts from the realms of Technology, Innovation, and Business meticulously reviewed the projects. Subsequently, the two most outstanding proposals were bestowed with a total cash prize of €35,000. 

• First Place: The team “Advantis” secured the esteemed 1st position, earning a cash prize of €25,000 for their cutting-edge medical imaging platform. 
• Second Place: The team “Euclia” clinched 2nd place, acquiring a €10,000 cash prize for their pioneering work in AI-powered solutions.

Congratulations to the winners and all the participating teams for their efforts! Wishing them the best of luck on their entrepreneurial journey.  

We are extremely proud of collaborating with Pfizer Center for Digital Innovation (CDI) and for being part of revolutionizing the Digital Health industry and accelerating new innovative solutions. 

Learn more about the Start4Health challenge:   

https://centerfordigitalinnovation.pfizer.com/start4health