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Powering tomorrow's health and tech innovations

Registration closing on: 18 July 2025

Enter now

Competition

Xcelerate your startup

Formerly known as Innov8, Xcelerate marks a new chapter in our journey to spotlight innovations disrupting the tech and health sectors.

Join us for three action-packed days, where visions and ideas transform into real, game-changing solutions.

At Xcelerate, 50 ambitious startups will present their groundbreaking solutions live on stage. From HealthTech to AI, robotics to wearables, Xcelerate is your gateway to the future of tech and healthcare.

See the future firsthand at Xcelerate.

The Xcelerate advantage

Showcase your innovation and win a cash prize of $50,000 (equity-free prize money).

Present your ideas to world-class judges with extensive industry experience.

Engage with global investors actively seeking new healthcare solutions.

Gain exposure on an international stage alongside key players in digital healthcare.

Competition format

Round 1 - 8 September: 25 startups

Each startup gets 3 mins to pitch and 3 mins of Q&A with judges
Group 1 – 25 early stage startups (pre-seed, seed & early series A)
Top 6 selected as finalists

Round 2 - 9 September: 25 startups

Each start-up gets 3 mins to pitch and 3 mins of Q&A with judges
Group 2 – 25 growth stage startups (late series A, series B & C)
Top 6 selected as finalists

Final showdown - 10 September: top 12 startups compete for the grand prize!

6 early stage startups
6 growth stage startups

Meet the judges

Our judging panel is comprised of independent global experts, each chosen for their knowledge, objectivity and credibility.

Elsa Hyland

Angel Investor (ex VC) / Startup Advisor / Mentor / Board Executive

Jacopo Losso

Director General

European Business Angel Network

Noa Khamallah

General Partner

Don’t Quit Ventures

Fadilah Tchoumba

CEO

African Business Angel Network

Milad Alucozai

Co-Founder & Board Member

Revalia Bio

Stefan B. Beerhalter

Vice President at German Accelerator Life Science

Start2 Group

Key innovation sectors

Going beyond conventional healthcare

AI in Healthcare

AI-driven Drug Discovery

Gene Therapy & CRISPR-based Innovations

Smart Medical Devices & IoT

Remote Patient Monitoring & Wearables

AR/VR in Healthcare

Robotics in Surgery & Rehabilitation

FemTech

3D Printing for Prosthetics & Implants

Precision Medicine & Pharmacogenomics

Digital Therapeutics & Mental Health Tech

Xcelerate

Maximise your impact at WHX Tech

Connect with global investors:

Meet esteemed investors from Silicon Valley and beyond

Targeted matchmaking:

Gain entry to exclusive startup-investor matchmaking sessions, opening doors to potential synergies and investment opportunities

Secure your start-up pod:

Enhance your visibility by securing a startup pod at WHX Tech. For details and reservations, please reach out to our sales team

Mentorship opportunities:

Receive valuable guidance and mentorship from experienced mentors and industry leaders

Launch your startup

Prizes to fuel your growth

Startups will pitch their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, with the top three winners awarded prizes for demonstrating the highest innovation, impact potential, and market readiness.

Xcelerate Champion of Innovation

Cash prize: USD 50,000 (equity-free prize money)
Complimentary 9m^2 pre-built stand in the 2026 edition
Free sponsorship package for the 2026 edition.

Xceptional Patient-Centric Innovation

Complimentary 9m^2 pre-built stand in the 2026 edition
Free sponsorship package for the 2026 edition.

Xtraordinary Early-Stage Startup

Complimentary 9m^2 pre-built stand in the 2026 edition

Ready to Xcelerate?

Make sure to enter before the deadline and to join our lineup of exceptional innovators.

Apply now

Deadline July 18, 2025

Xcelerate terms & conditions

1 Announcement of shortlisted applicants: shortlisted applicants for the Xcelerate Pitch Competition will be officially announced by end of July – 1st week of August 2025.

2 Travel and accommodation: applicants who are shortlisted and invited to participate for the competition will be responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation expenses.

3 Startup pod opportunity: startups must secure a pod to be considered for the pitch competition. All pod holders will go through a vetting process for competition eligibility.

WHX Tech

in partnership with HIMSS

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Opening times

Monday, 8 Sep: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tuesday, 9 Sep: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wednesday, 10 Sep: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

WhatsApp (Message only): +971 4 245 7111
[email protected]
Phone: +971 4 408 2888
Support hours: 9am-5pm UAE time, Monday to Friday.

About Informa

World Health Expo is the world's largest network of healthcare events for the best minds to learn, share and connect to drive progress.

Our commitment to data privacy
WHX is committed to safeguarding your privacy and will never sell or provide any personal data (including email, phone, address) to any third parties. Any third party claiming to sell or have access to attendee information should be treated as fraudulent and reported immediately.

About Informa

World Health Expo is the world's largest network of healthcare events for the best minds to learn, share and connect to drive progress.