Transform Healthcare. Scale in Essen.

Can your solution in AI, MedTech, or digital health transform how hospitals deliver and manage care? Whether it’s predictive analytics, robotic surgery, digital therapeutics, or smart hospital systems—join EWG’s Health Scale-up Challenge and tap into their Market Entry Program, offering funding, clinical networks, and business support to expand into the German and European markets, with Essen as your launchpad.

Who can take part?

International Scale-ups in AI, MedTech, and digital health with market-ready solutions or advanced prototypes, an existing customer base, and clear ambitions to enter the German market by opening a branch or relocating to Essen.
#Health#DigitalHealth#EssenHealth#MarketEntry #VentureScaling#InnovateTogether

🏆 Prize
Access to funding, local corporates, public stakeholders – opportunity to scale and expand into the European market from Essen.
🕑 Deadline
Aug 31, 2026, 9:59 PM
🌎 Scope
global
❓Questions
Feel free to join ekipa's Q&A Calls
👤Info Session: Market Entry Program
Speak directly to EWG in a call

Who is EWG?

About EWG – Essener Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft mbH

EWG – Essener Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft mbH is the economic development agency of the city of Essen, committed to driving business growth, innovation, and international investment. As the central point of contact for companies entering or expanding in Essen, EWG offers tailored support, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships.

At the heart of EWG’s approach is business matchmaking—connecting Scale-ups with the right partners, hospitals, research institutions, and investors to fast-track their growth in the German market. This is the core of EWG’s Health Market Entry Program, which also provides regulatory guidance, relocation assistance, and access to co-working and clinical infrastructure.

Essen is a leading hub for healthcare innovation, home to 19 hospital locations, over 1,900 healthcare companies, and renowned institutions like the University Medical Center Essen. With strengths in MedTech, AI in medicine, and digital health, the city offers a fertile ground for Scale-ups seeking to launch and grow.

With deep industry expertise, an expansive health network, and a business-friendly ecosystem, EWG ensures that health Scale-ups find the right partners and resources to thrive in one of Europe’s most dynamic healthcare markets.

Who is the target group for participation?

This challenge is open only to Scale-ups that are planning to relocate to Essen or open a branch in the region.

How to create an account on our platform and how to set it up?

Check out our tutorial: Get started!

How to participate in the challenge and submit my idea?

Check out our tutorial: Join a Challenge!

What happens after the first deadline?

After the end of the deadline, the submissions will be reviewed by EWG. The Scale-ups will be selected and invited to a get to know interview. We will inform you via mail. Check the timeline.

We've structured our process into two comprehensive phases. These phases are designed to give you the opportunites and support offered by EWG — from funding to local networking — to help you enter the German market and possibly open a presence in Essen

Is my participation binding?

Your participation is not binding until you submit the application. Once you have uploaded your application and you want to take part, please consider the timeline and be aware that you should be able to participate in every further step.

Do you have any questions or uncertainties?

Get in contact with us!

Join our Info Session together with EWG to learn more about the Market Entry Program:

If you want to talk to someone from the ekipa team about your approaches, you need more information or if questions arise, just join one of our Q&A calls every Tuesday from 11:00am-11:30am, Wednesday from 15:00 to 15:30 and Thursday from 4:00pm-4:30pm. It is a group call and you also get the chance to meet other innovators!
Simply register here