⚠ Summarised by AI based on an external source. Last updated: 4 Mar 2026. Starthubs is not liable for any inaccuracies. Always consult the official challenge information.
ACCIÓ — the innovation agency of the Catalan Government — and Barcelona Health Hub are organising the HRC Open Innovation Challenge 2026 as part of the Health Revolution Congress. Large corporates, hospitals, insurers and public entities will present specific digital health challenges and are looking for startups and technology providers that can solve them. Selected solution providers get personalised 1:1 meetings with decision-makers — on-site in Barcelona on 27 May and online from 2 to 4 June. Participation is completely free.
What is ACCIÓ looking for?
Corporates and public entities each present a specific innovation challenge in digital health — for example around AI in diagnostics, remote patient monitoring, hospital workflow optimisation or health data solutions. As a startup or tech provider, you browse the published challenges, select those that match your capabilities and submit a short proposal explaining how your solution addresses the challenge. The challenge owners then decide which providers they want to meet. The specific 2026 challenges will be published on the event platform. More details and the full list of challenge owners can be found on the official event page.
Who is this for?
This is open to startups, scale-ups, SMEs and technology providers worldwide — you do not need to be based in Spain or Catalonia. If you offer a digital health solution and want direct access to potential corporate customers, this format is designed for you. You can participate fully on-site in Barcelona, fully online or in a hybrid format. Previous editions have attracted participants from across Europe and beyond. The Enterprise Europe Network supports the event, making it easy for international innovators to join.
What's in it for you?
This is not a grant or prize competition — the value lies in direct commercial access:
- Personalised 30-minute 1:1 meetings with corporate innovation leads and procurement decision-makers
- A free pass to the Health Revolution Congress in Barcelona (Europe's largest digital health summit) if you have at least one on-site meeting
- Direct pathway to pilot projects, proof-of-concept agreements and commercial partnerships with major healthcare organisations
- Exposure through the b2match platform where your technology profile is visible to all participating corporates
- Previous editions have connected startups with pharma companies, hospital networks, insurers and public health entities