3rd edition

The main goal of the 3rd edition of the Mother and Child Startup Challenge competition, held in 2024, was the popularization of medical innovations in Poland, particularly in the area of care for pediatric patients and women at every stage of life.

Within the initiative, we aimed to foster an open approach to collaboration between startups and medical facilities, thereby supporting the development of technologies applicable in the healthcare sector.

In the 3rd edition of the competition, we focused on projects at an early stage of technological development (TRL ≤ 7), requiring support in mentoring, collaboration with experts, and testing in hospital conditions.

Thanks to the implemented changes, the 3rd edition of the Mother and Child Startup Challenge was not merely a continuation of previous installments – it became a milestone in building the community centered around the competition, attracting a record number of startups, medical facilities, and experts. Thus, MCSC solidified its position as a dynamic platform supporting and connecting medical innovations in Poland.

New features included webinars dedicated to the Top 10 and Top 20, the Audience Award plebiscite, and the introduction of hospital mentoring for individual startups from the final 10.

Thematic Scope

The competition’s themes covered a wide range of innovations, including:

pediatrics, gynecology, and obstetrics,
prevention and screening tests,
patient education and support in specialist training,
process management and medical documentation,
laboratory technologies and biotechnology,
solutions supporting hospital work organization.

TOP 10

Winners of the 3rd edition

UES Ultra Echo Scan

UES is SaaS software that performs tasks involving the analysis of diagnostic ultrasound recordings. It analyzes three basic projections. It automatically detects the probability of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) in newborn echocardiograms (UKG), indicating the presence or absence of CHD. The software is based on artificial intelligence using machine learning. The project has significant potential in terms of scalability, the possibility of being used in newborn screening worldwide, with low implementation costs.

The global detection rate for Congenital Heart Defects is low, ranging from 35-50%. CHD occurs with a frequency of 8.2 per 1000 live births and is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. Detecting CHD in a newborn requires appropriate equipment, specialized knowledge, and significant experience. The availability and number of specialist doctors and high-level referral centers may be the reason for this. The UES software is a response to these types of problems. Trained medical personnel or a doctor, after performing standard projections in a specific way and having the images analyzed by the UES software, receives a response confirming or denying the presence of CHD with a 96% probability. This information allows for the newborn to be referred for additional tests or consultation with a specialist doctor.

Honorary Patrons

Platinum Partners

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

Ecosystem Partners

Supporting Partners

Main Media Partners

Supporting Media Partners

View the report from the 3rd edition of the competition

2nd edition

Second edition of MCSC – continuation of success The second edition of the Mother and Child Startup Challenge, held in 2023, was a natural continuation of the success of the initiative’s first installment.

In the second edition of the competition, we were looking for solutions in two categories:

track for mature companies and startups,
track for startups in the R&D phase.

The competition not only showcased the potential for creativity and entrepreneurship in the healthcare field, but also strengthened the community of experts, medical facilities, and startups, creating an inspiring ecosystem of change.

Thematic Scope

Track for startups and teams in the research and development phase (R&D Track):

Thematic Scope:

Mental health and wellbeing of pediatric patients and their caregivers;
Prevention and combating respiratory diseases among pediatric patients;
Prevention and combating overweight and obesity among pediatric patients;

The stage of advancement for projects in this track was defined by the TRL scale: 3-7.

Implementation Track for companies and startups with a ready product (Implementation Track)

Thematic Scope:

Clinical activity: obstetrics and gynecology, neonatology, pediatrics (material innovations, diagnostics, telemonitoring, therapy, rehabilitation, clinical decision support)
Prevention and screening tests;
Patient education and support in specialist training;
Process and documentation management, data analysis;

The stage of advancement for projects in the implementation track was defined by the TRL scale: 8-9.

Finaliści 2. edycji

Winners of the 2nd edition

In 2023, the Jury awarded main prizes to 4 projects in two types of tracks:

2 in the implementation track:

Laserobaria 2.0_s

Laserobaria 2.0_S is a product of the Polish company Inventmed. It is a multifunctional device certified as a Class IIA medical device. As the only one on the market, it allows for holistic therapy using the synergy of five physical factors: local hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ozone therapy, magnetic field therapy, red light, and UV light.

Laserobaria 2.0_S therapy is used in the treatment of wounds of various etiologies: diabetic foot, burns, frostbite, ulcers, postoperative wounds, lymphedema, as well as in the treatment of orthopedic conditions and pain. In many cases, the treatment helps avoid limb amputation. The software allows for the individualization of the therapeutic factor combination depending on the type of condition, infection level, or potential contraindications.

The therapeutic effects that can be achieved include biocidal action (virucidal, bactericidal, fungicidal), anti-edema, anti-inflammatory effects, acceleration of tissue regeneration, and pain reduction.

In the orthopedic field, acceleration of bone union and muscle regeneration.

Laserobaria 2.0_S receives positive references from medical entities using it in patient treatment, including clinical military hospitals, voivodeship hospitals, and private facilities. The company, along with the invention, has been awarded at events such as Brussels Innova, the Startup Challenge 2023 within the European Economic Congress, and during the XVI International Invention and Innovation Show.

TruScreen Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer (CC) incidence and mortality remain a global priority. CC mortality in Poland is one of the highest in Europe. Modeling shows that for progress in CC elimination to be effective, the quality of the approach must be improved: vaccinations, screening, and management must be addressed more comprehensively, on a larger scale, and faster, so that the World Health Organization’s goals (WHO, 2019) can be achieved. Screening for CC must be widely available. Over the next few years, screening will have a greater impact on CC incidence than vaccination. However, identifying individuals with HPV DNA as the sole screening method will not improve mortality. Studies demonstrate that improving the costs of prevention and CC mortality will only occur under conditions of mass HPV vaccination and appropriate identification of cervical lesions requiring treatment.

TruScreen is a medical device (Class IIA) that instantly detects cervical changes using a clinically proven opto-electrical method.

TruScreen offers the chance to reduce the costs of cervical cancer prevention and improve mortality faster than using HPV DNA, with mass application. It also represents an excellent proposition for private gynecological practices.

TruScreen is characterized by:

Non-invasiveness, requires no tissue sampling or laboratory infrastructure,
Built-in artificial intelligence, eliminating the risk of human error,
Instant, objective results, indicating the need for further action,
Ease of use.

2 in the R&D track:

Clebre

Clebre is an innovative way to treat sleep and breathing disorders, where progress is monitored in real-time to tailor therapy to the patient’s individual needs. Using a sensor attached to the neck, we bring diagnostics and monitoring into the patient’s home. The sensor collects data on how we breathe and how we behave while sleeping. Such observations extended over many nights allow for building a complete, objective picture of the condition and monitoring its changes.

The Clebre diagnostic system introduces a fundamental change in the treatment of sleep apnea or snoring, and the entire process is managed by a team of specialists coordinated by a caregiver.

Breathing disorders during sleep are common. In children, they lead to disturbances in proper physical and intellectual development. In adults, chronic stress and hypoxia caused by apnea lead to hypertension, diabetes, heart rhythm disorders, as well as heart attacks and strokes.

Breathing disorders have various causes, can occur at any age, and are chronic. This means there is no single treatment path, and the treatment must be long-term. Clebre addresses these patient needs and effectively solves their problems.

Mission Amygdala – Calmsie

Mission Amygdala is a platform providing immediate support for children with depression and anxiety disorders. It aids in prevention, early intervention, and supplements standard therapy. The product was created by experienced doctors and IT specialists in collaboration with children, integrating best therapeutic practices, conversational artificial intelligence, and mobile games.

The digital format and additional functionalities supporting healthcare professionals eliminate systemic gaps causing the crisis in child psychiatry. Consequently, Mission Amygdala is a revolution, combining innovation with engaging UX, safety, and effectiveness, changing the face of children’s mental healthcare.

Children engage in daily missions where they help game characters overcome emotional challenges. They then have real-time conversations with General Empathy – our AI-driven videobot, which helps the child apply skills learned in the game to real-life situations.

Mission Amygdala is a platform that serves two purposes:

a digital therapeutic product aimed at supporting children aged 8 to 12 with mild to moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety,
a wellness product aimed at facilitating prevention and helping children develop emotional resilience through psychoeducation and elements based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly providing a psychoeducational tool for pediatric patients with physical illnesses.

Organisers

Strategic Partners