HFE Startup Bootcamp

Health Founders Estonia Startup Bootcamp  

Happening at the SPARK Hub in Tartu, Estonia (Narva mnt 3, 51009 Tartu).

The Startup Bootcamp is a two-day event that brings together startups, researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry experts under one umbrella to tackle the biggest challenges in the healthcare sector.

Work alongside experienced mentors and specialists, expand your network of connections and partners, and refine your solution to the highest standard. Learn how to turn your ideas into a compelling presentation concept, develop your business design, and creative skills, and bring your vision to life.

Do you have breakthrough healthcare innovations and are ready to make them a reality? Join HFE Startup Bootcamp and take your ideas to a new level and find team mates.

• Fast-track your startup: Win direct entry into the flagship Health Founders Estonia Accelerator!

• Gain invaluable mentorship: Access a network of seasoned healthtech entrepreneurs, clinicians, and investors.

• Develop your idea: Participate in hands-on workshops and receive expert feedback.

• Network with peers: Connect with like-minded individuals and potential co-founders.

• Win prizes: Including additional mentoring or tickets to Latitude59, the flagship startup event in Estonia.

   More prizes will be announced soon!

APPLICATION: Register for the Bootcamp!

Ready to dive into the Health Founders Estonia program?  Begin by clicking either the "⚡ LOG IN TO JOIN" or "⚡JOIN HACKATHON" button, depending on whether you're already a TAIKAI member or need to create a new account. 

Your registration is complete after submitting the registration form, after which we will review your application. Congratulations, you're in!  Your next mission: assemble your team and create a project. Head over to the matchmaking section to find collaborators and teammates.

Once you have been accepted, Click the "💡Create project" button, and follow the steps shown. We have added a template so potential teammates have a better idea of your idea. You can follow the tutorial on how to create a project.

Who Should Attend?

❗️ You do not need any experience to join the Bootcamp!

• Aspiring healthtech entrepreneurs and innovators with bright ideas.

• Teams with existing prototypes or early-stage healthcare innovation concepts.

• Researchers with groundbreaking discoveries, ready to make a real-world impact.

• Anyone passionate about improving healthcare through technology looking for a team..

Challenges

We're open to all innovative ideas in this space and would especially love to connect with people who already have ideas brewing or are eager to dive into these particular areas with us.

The pre-formed teams or teams created at the start of the bootcamp will have a chance to work on the following challenges and win prizes at the end of the pitching session on Saturday for the progress they have made and ideas created.

You can find more information about the challenges in the "Categories" tab of this TAIKAI page. 

General challenge - bring your idea!

You can select this challenge if you are a researchers, innovator or designer with an idea or you are already a team of innovators working on a startup project or a prototype that will improve the quality of healthcare. 

We are seeking innovative ideas in all areas - from Digital Health to Biotechnology. 

Your solutions can be just ideas on paper or you can already have a prototype, aiming for an MVP. 

During the bootcamp, you will have an opportunity to:

• Further refine your concepts and ideas
• Get immediate feedback from industry professionals
• Find new potential team mates or co-founders

AWARDS

Ideas in this challenge will compete at the end of the bootcamp for a fast-track access to the HFE accelerator program, Lattitude59 tickets and further mentoring support from the HFE Bootcamp partners. 

Post-Hospital Care for Myocardial Infarction (MI) patients (by Novartis)

How can we support myocardial infarction patients post-hospitalization to stay on a standardized treatment pathway?

The high 1-year mortality rate for acute myocardial infarction patients (about 20%, which is higher than in high-income developed countries) in Estonia highlights a critical need for a coordinated treatment pathway and comprehensive post-hospital counselling within the first year after hospitalization.

An analysis based on the Estonian Health Insurance Fund's treatment invoices revealed that only 1% of all myocardial infarction patients were managed according to the recommendations of the 2022 treatment guideline.

In this challenge, we are seeking patient-centeric solutions that help patients understand and timely complete all the treatment stages described in the care pathway, ensuring that the best treatment decisions are made at each stage, taking into account the specific patient (i.e., scheduled visits have taken place, necessary tests have been conducted, and the best treatment has been prescribed, patient’s treatment adherence is good).

AWARD

The winning solution in this category will receive monetary reward of 1500 EUR (subject to tax) and follow-up mentoring support from Novartis and HFE Bootcamp Partners.

Bridging the Memory Gap (by Tartu University Hospital)

How might we improve communication between hospital staff and patients with memory problems? 

Many older adults, who are  anxious, stressed as well elderly population and patients with clinically diagnosed memory loss/admitted to hospitals face memory or cognitive challenges that make communication with healthcare professionals difficult. 

This includes not only those with diagnosed conditions, but also patients experiencing temporary confusion due to unfamiliar environments, medications, or acute illness.

Family members, who know the patient best, are often left out of the loop. Current tools are fragmented, generic, or too clinician-focused, failing to support real-time, patient-centered communication. Quite often it requires several repetitions of information provision, which can be demanding for health care system suffering of lack of resources. 

Can we create inclusive, practical tools that help patients feel safe, families stay engaged, and staff deliver efficient and good care?

For example:

• Personalized memory profiles or digital or VR “about me” tools

• Voice-enabled bedside assistants that speak in familiar tones

• Secure messaging or shared care dashboards for families

• Real-time “handover” assistants for shift changes etc.

AWARD

The winning solution in this challenge will recieve follow-up mentoring support from HFE partners and a chance to present their idea in front of the Tartu University Hospital stakeholders to pursue futher collaboration. 

Meet your mentors: 

You will get a unique opportunity to co-create your ideas with industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs during the HFE 2025 Bootcamp. 

Important Dates

01 Registration opens : April 7th

Submit your idea, build your team, and connect with potential collaborators before the bootcamp even begins! This allows you to maximize your time and focus on developing your solution during the event.

02 Registration closes : May 14th 23:59 EEST

The final date to register for the hackathon. Make sure your team is signed up and ready by this date!

03 Bootcamp weekend : May 16 - May 17

Interested in other Health Founders Estonia initiatives? Head to the Health Founders Estonia webpage to find out more!

Project partners:

Title Challenge Partners: