EIT Health Matchmaking 2024: A Resounding Success in Lisbon!
EIT Health Matchmaking 2024: A Resounding Success in Lisbon!
Last week, the bustling streets of Lisbon, Portugal, played host to the eagerly anticipated EIT Health Matchmaking 2024 event, where innovation and collaboration took center stage. The EIT Health Innovators Community, proudly represented by its esteemed Board members and dedicated Alumni, made waves at this dynamic gathering.
😎 Celebrating a Milestone on Stage
Our journey at the EIT Health Matchmaking 2024 was amplified by the voices of our Board members and stage naturals, Rob Regional Coordinator | BeNeLux-Israel and Mia Regional Coordinator | Ireland & UK . Together they had the honour of representing our community, and sharing their thoughts on our latest milestones, including the remarkable achievement of 4000 members, platform insights, and exciting partnership opportunities. In Rob's own words, "Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to present at the EIT Health Matchmaking event in Lisbon, a gathering that stands at the forefront of new collaboration and fostering innovation". "At the heart of our journey lies a milestone worth celebrating" added Mia. "Together with Rob, we stood on stage, showcasing the vibrant spirit of our community - 4000 members strong and counting!"
We also received feedback from David R. Polland, EIT Health Staff and a dedicated member of our community, after seeing his colleague and Regional Coordinator on stage: "the EIT Health Academy is in good hands with our Board Member, Mia Brzakovic". He added "Mia shared the work being done with 4000 members of the community on stage at Lisbon. Congratulations to everyone involved!"
Picture 1 | Rob and Mia captivating the audience, and the Innovators Community Board and managing team on stage.
✌️ Engagement & Connection
The spirit of the EIT Health Innovators Community's presence was also felt beyond the stage. Our booth served as a nexus for EIT Health Partners to learn more about the features of our platform and initiatives within our community. The booth became a hub for our members to connect with one another but also engange with their regional representatives, and for potential innovators to explore the boundless opportunities we offer.
Liana Regional Coordinator | DACH posted on her social media "Reflecting on my four years within the EIT Health Innovators community, it's been an enriching journey. Witnessing the rebranding and exponential growth of our community, now encompassing 4000 members of healthcare innovators, fills me with immense pride". "The energy at our booth was palpable," commented Ismael Regional Coordinator | Spain , reflecting on the event's vibrancy, "Serving on the Innovators Community Board goes beyond a mere title; it's a chance to be a part of a vibrant network of over 4000 dedicated individuals propelling innovation forward in Europe".
Picture 2 | The bustling EIT Health Innovators Community booth, alive and with energy.
🎤 Empowering Innovators & Entrepreneurs
Weeks before the event, we offered free tickets to five lucky winners from our community, granting them exclusive access to the entire event. This gave us a great chance to meet some proactive community members, and we took the opportunity to conduct insightful interviews with them to better understand our ecosystem. Ismael, as the official interviewer, delved deeper into their start-up projects, uncovering stories of passion, determination, and innovation that inspire us all.
Edite Ravella, one of the winners, said on LinkedIn "What an awesome experience the last two days at EIT Matchmaking Event. Thank you Ismael Ávila for the warm pre-interview words (...). A big appreciation for EIT Health Innovators Community for making me the luckiest of participants with a VIP access to this event", Ismael's words reflected the same enthusiasm about the interviews "It was an incredible opportunity to engage (...) and conduct interviews with various attendees to learn more about their roles and opportunities within our ecosystem". "The interviews we conducted with start-up founders showcased the passion and resilience that drive groundbreaking solutions in healthcare", affirmed Melissa Regional Coordinator | France .
Picture 3 | Interviews with lucky winners and speakers.
👋 Melissa's First Board Meeting
Earlier this year we welcomed Melissa on board! For her, this was a first-timer and she told us how excited she was to step into the position "Honoured to step into the role of France's Regional Representative on the EIT Health Innovators Community Board. Our community is a testament to the power of innovation".
She participated in the first Board meeting of 2024. According to Ismael "it was an incredible opportunity to engage with fellow Regional Coordinators and discuss strategies to enhance our communities' impact".
Referring to the board meeting, where the management team provided updates on the community strategy, Liana also commented that "our discussions underscored our commitment to advancing our community's strategy – to Grow, Engage, Monetize, and Shape our collective impact in the healthcare innovation landscape".
Husam Regional Coordinator | InnoStars East also delivered his regional updates, emphasising the successful recruitment of local representatives. Calil Regional Coordinator | InnoStars South , joined our Board meeting remotely and remarked "each interaction is a step towards shaping the future of healthcare innovation in Europe. Together, we've expanded our presence to almost every European country, fostering a network that knows no boundaries".
Picture 4 | Board members with the managing team deep in discussions at the Board meeting.
A Glimpse of the Action
As we reflect on the success of the EIT Health Matchmaking 2024, we are reminded of the power of collaboration, the strength of community, and the limitless potential of innovation. Together, we pave the way for a future where healthcare knows no bounds, where solutions abound, and where every voice is heard.
There was also time to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Lisbon, savoring a few "Pastéis de Nata," the most iconic Portuguese dessert, and exploring Lisbon's Orient Museum. The museum is dedicated to Asian art, with a special emphasis on the historical Portuguese presence in the East.
Picture 5 | Capturing the essence of Lisbon's atmosphere: moments of leisure and exploration.
🥂 Here's to the journey ahead, filled with promise, possibility, and endless opportunities to make a difference! 💙