WISH spotlights the future of healthcare: Top innovators unveiled

The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) is set to launch the Global Healthcare Innovation Competition, an initiative of Qatar Foundation,  which has selected 12 innovative projects from over 150 applications.

These finalists will present their cutting-edge work to global leaders and health experts at the upcoming Doha summit, taking place on November 13-14.

Shortlisted innovators will not only have the chance to win a US$10,000 investment, but will also benefit from personalized mentorship sessions with industry experts. These sessions will cover essential skills like marketing, social media, and pitching to investors.

Additionally, the WISH summit will provide ample networking opportunities, allowing innovators to connect with healthcare providers, policymakers, and investors.

The head of Innovation at WISH, Eman Tag, said: “We are excited to bring together bright entrepreneurs and innovators at WISH 2024, whose inventions and startups aim to make global healthcare more affordable, sustainable and accessible. These competitions aim to provide them with a platform to nurture their innovations at a key stage in their development, empowering them to continue to develop these transformative health solutions.”

This year, WISH and Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI), will join forces in an effort to cultivate a thriving innovation hub in Qatar and lure top global talent.

“We are proud to partner with WISH in driving innovation that tackles pressing global health challenges,” said the  RDI Program Director at QRDI Council, Nada al-Olaqi.

“The 2024 Global Healthcare Innovation Competition showcases the strength of collaboration in transforming healthcare. By supporting these forward-thinking innovators, we aim to further establish Qatar as a hub for cutting-edge solutions that improve health outcomes worldwide. QRDI Council is committed to empowering innovators through its funding programs and platforms, helping them grow and scale their solutions to tackle critical global health issues,” she added.

The competition’s judging panel will select winners in both the ‘Young Innovators’ and ‘Innovation Showcases’ categories.

The awards ceremony will be held on November 14th at the conclusion of the WISH summit.

The “Young Innovators” category is dedicated to spotlighting the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Seven promising startups, led by founders aged 30 or younger, have been shortlisted as follows:

1. First, UAE national and founder of Elggo Luma Makari is developing an AI-powered mental health platform to address the well-being needs of school children across the Middle East and North Africa.
2. Second, Abel Teo Jun Hieng (Singapore) is revolutionizing the medical device industry with Castomize Technologies, a company pioneering 4D printing technology.
3. Third, Indian innovator and founder of MANK Medical Devices Private Limited, Vijay Ravichandiran, has developed a novel non-invasive, affordable, and disposable tourniquet specifically designed for hemodialysis cases.
4. Fourth, Nawal Yousaf from the UK is breaking down cultural barriers in mental healthcare with Fitra Health, a platform offering culturally comprehensive solutions to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
5. Fifth, Italian bioinformatician Alessandro Vingione, founded GenoGra, a software platform designed to facilitate advanced pan-genomic analysis for researchers worldwide.
6. Sixth, Turkish entrepreneur Mustafa Şandverdİ, founded MetaTıp Health Technologies, a company specializing in the development and application of 3D printing and virtual reality technologies for medical education and training.
7. Seventh, Ayya Azzahara (Indonesia) is empowering women with CervivAI, an innovative AI-driven solution for early cervical cancer detection.

The ‘Innovation Showcases’ category recognizes mature health startups with proven market impact.

Five applicants have been shortlisted including the following:

1. First, Neda Razavi (US) is leading the way in breast cancer detection with iSono Health, an innovative company utilizing AI-powered 3D ultrasound technology.
2. Second, Abdulmonem Al Lawati (Oman) is revolutionizing craniomaxillofacial surgery with CureTech, a company leveraging 3D printing technology to create personalized implants.
3. Third, Matteo Malosio (Italy) is transforming neurorehabilitation with Rehabilia Technologies’ avant-garde device, PhiCube, designed to aid children’s recovery.
4. Fourth, Japanese innovator Masaki Umeda, founded Sora Technology, a company dedicated to the advancement and deployment of drone and AI-powered solutions for environmental surveillance, particularly in the context of vector-borne and water-borne diseases.
5. Fifth, Nigerian entrepreneur Rafiat Adeola Ayoola, founded Famasi, a company providing an overarching digital infrastructure for building, managing, and expanding in-house pharmacy systems.

Established in 2013, the WISH Innovation program has empowered 160 innovators from 41 countries, transforming global healthcare through innovation.

Founded in 1995, the Qatar Foundation (QF) is driving Qatar’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy by providing world-class education, stimulating groundbreaking research, and empowering communities.

By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and engaging with the community through culturally relevant programs, the QF’s goal is to empower individuals and contribute to a sustainable, prosperous future.

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