India’s Foremost HealthTech Innovation Challenge Returns
Advancing the Innovation Healthcare Needs Most.
Empowering innovators, reimagining India's healthcare
Join India's next generation of healthcare innovators
Members
About the Challenge
The Platform Powering India's Next HealthTech Breakthrough.
Built on the success of two impactful editions, in collaboration with prestigious institutes, IIIT Bangalore in 2024 and IIT Indore in 2025, the DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge 2026 returns with an even sharper focus on solving India's biggest healthcare challenges through technology.
This year, we're looking beyond products to identify scalable, clinically relevant, AI-powered innovations that improve access, efficiency, trust, and patient outcomes across India's healthcare ecosystem.
Whether you're transforming primary care, building smarter hospitals, strengthening trusted health data infrastructure, or advancing preventive and chronic care, this is your opportunity to showcase your innovation before the people shaping the future of healthcare.
Third Edition.
Bigger Challenges.
Greater Impact.
Partners
Backed by the Ecosystem
Hospitals, institutions, investors and technology partners come together to identify and scale the innovations shaping India's healthcare.
Incubation and Accelerator Partner
Interested in partnering with the DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge 2026?
Become a PartnerWelcome
Welcome to the Third Edition of the DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge 2026
01
Scale with Purpose
We're backing real-world solutions. If you're enabling frontline care with AI, building on the ABDM stack, or delivering care that works across systems and geographies, this challenge puts your work on a national platform, built to scale.
02
Connect with Decision-Makers
Pitch to hospital CXOs from India and the US, top healthtech investors, digital health pioneers, and key ecosystem enablers. Our jury brings deep clinical, technical, and operational expertise, people who've built and led healthcare systems.
03
Create Real-World Impact
Finalists get access to decision-makers from leading hospitals, funds, and institutions across India and the US. This is where serious solutions meet the platforms that scale them, plus a spot on DigitalHealthPlace.com, India's first curated digital health marketplace.
Built for innovators. Designed for impact.
Categories
Challenge Categories
The DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge 2026 invites entries in four high-impact tracks that reflect India's most urgent healthcare priorities.
AI for Primary Care, Rural Health & Frontline Workers
Smart Hospitals, Patient Experience & Workflow Automation
Trusted Health Data DPDP, ABDM & Interoperability
Mental Health, Chronic Disease & Preventive Care
Connected MedTech Intelligent Devices, Point-of-Care & Home Health
Participation
Who Can Participate?
The DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge is open to startups developing innovative digital health solutions that address real-world healthcare challenges. Whether you're building for hospitals, primary care, diagnostics, health data, AI, patient engagement, cybersecurity, we invite founders creating scalable and impactful solutions to apply.
Early-stage, Mid-stage to Late-stage startups working in digital health
Companies with a functional product and demonstrated traction
Solutions that align with the focus categories
Teams committed to building for scale, adoption, and health outcomes
Eligibility
Company Stage
Open to Early-stage, Mid-stage to Large Scale-ups from India or working on Indian healthcare challenges.
Product Status
Solutions must be functional, tested, and in active use, either through pilots, early customers, or revenue-generating models.
Innovation Focus
Solutions must address key healthcare challenges in India and demonstrate strong potential for measurable impact, scale, and adoption.
Selection Criteria
All entries will be evaluated by our expert jury based on the following parameters:
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Innovation
Originality, technical strength, and relevance.
Scalability
Potential for national or system-level deployment.
Market Potential
Demonstrated need, traction, and demand.
Team Capability
Experience, execution, and domain knowledge.
Impact
Ability to improve healthcare access, outcomes, or efficiency.
Why Participate in DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge 2026
Ready to Scale Your Healthcare Innovation?
Build Connections That Move Your Startup Forward
DHN HEALTHTECH INNOVATION CHALLENGE is more than a stage to present your innovation. It's an opportunity to connect with the people, institutions, and partnerships that can accelerate your growth.
Present Before Healthcare Decision Makers
Showcase your innovation to hospital leaders, policymakers, investors, technology partners, and digital health experts.
Gain Industry Visibility
Featured startups receive exposure through Digital Health News' editorial platform, digital channels, interviews, and ecosystem outreach.
Receive Expert Validation
Refine your solution with valuable feedback from experienced healthcare professionals, investors, and innovation leaders.
Build Strategic Partnerships
Explore collaborations with hospitals, enterprises, technology providers, and ecosystem partners looking for innovative healthcare solutions.
Pitch at Demo Day
Present your innovation live before an expert jury during the Grand Finale hosted at IIT Kanpur.
Timeline
From Application to Demo Day
Your journey from idea to India's biggest healthcare innovation stage.
Every milestone brings you one step closer to presenting your innovation before India's leading healthcare ecosystem.
Impact
DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge Impact
Real Stories. Real Partnerships. Real Outcomes.
The true measure of innovation isn't recognition. It's adoption. Over the years, DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge has helped promising startups build strategic partnerships, unlock commercial opportunities, gain national visibility, and connect with the stakeholders shaping India's digital health ecosystem.
ClearMedi Healthcare
Following their participation in DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge, HeyDoc AI secured a strategic engagement with Clearmedi Healthcare, demonstrating how the platform facilitates meaningful industry connections.
Read the full story →What Success With DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge Looks Like
Questions
FAQs
Who can apply?
HealthTech startups with innovative digital health solutions aligned to one of the four challenge tracks are encouraged to apply.
Is there an application fee?
No. Participation in the DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge 2026 is free of cost.
Can early-stage startups apply?
Yes. Startups at the MVP, pilot, growth, or scaling stage are welcome, provided they have a demonstrable solution.
How are applications evaluated?
Applications are assessed on innovation, problem relevance, scalability, healthcare impact, business potential, and alignment with the challenge tracks.
What happens after I apply?
Eligible applications undergo evaluation and shortlisting, followed by virtual pitch sessions. Selected finalists will be invited to present at Demo Day at IIT Kanpur.
Will all applicants receive feedback?
Due to the volume of applications, detailed feedback may only be provided to shortlisted startups during the evaluation process.
Will shortlisted startups receive mentorship?
Shortlisted startups will have opportunities to engage with industry experts, jury members, and ecosystem partners throughout the evaluation process.