Xcelerate startup competition
Turning Healthcare Innovation into Investable Impact
Xcelerate is WHX Tech’s flagship startup competition, bringing the world’s most promising healthcare startups onto one stage - in front of the investors, partners, and decision-makers who can turn innovation into global scale.
This is where tomorrow’s healthcare leaders meet global investors.
WHX Tech 2025
Xcelerate competition gallery
Startups
Who should apply?
Xcelerate is open to healthcare startups across all innovation verticals, including:
Key eligibility criteria
To be considered for the Xcelerate Startup Competition, applicants must:
Be a healthcare or health-adjacent startup
Have a working product, solution, or technology
Fall within one of the eligible stages: Early Stage or Scale-Up
Must be operating as a legally registered company
Must hold (or be willing to secure) a WHX Tech Startup Pod if shortlisted
Competition overview
Startups pitch live on the Xcelerate Stage in front of a panel of global healthcare investors, corporate innovation leaders, and ecosystem partners.
Startups are selected and grouped by stage to ensure a fair and credible competition:
- Early Stage: Pre-seed, Seed, Pre-Series A
- Scale-Ups: Series A & above
The Xcelerate journey
Shortlisted startups pitch live on the Xcelerate Stage
Day 2: 28 Jan | Xcelerate Stage
● 2 groups (12 – 13 startups each)
● 3-minute pitch + 3-minute Q&A with judges
● Top 3 from each group will go to the finals
Grand Finale: 29 Jan | World X Stage
The top 12 startups to compete on World X stage for the grand prize
Awards & prizes
Total: USD 50,000
Xcelerate Champion of Innovation
Cash Prize: USD 25,000 (Equity Free)
In kind value:
Complimentary 9 sq m stand for 2028 edition
Mentorship opportunities
Best Early-Stage Startup
Cash Prize: USD 15,000 (Equity Free)
In kind value:
Complimentary Start-up Pod for 2028 edition
Mentorship opportunities
Best Scale-Up
Cash Prize: USD 10,000 (Equity Free)
In kind value:
Complimentary Start-up Pod for 2028 edition
Mentorship opportunities
How to participate
1
Apply online
Submit your application to be considered for the Xcelerate Startup Competition. This allows the team to review your startup’s stage, solution, and fit.
2
Secure your startup pod
To be eligible, startups must have a confirmed WHX Tech Startup Pod, subject to availability, providing on-site presence and access to the WHX Tech ecosystem.
3
Screening & shortlisting
Confirmed Startup Pod exhibitors are reviewed and shortlisted based on eligibility, innovation focus, stage, investment readiness, and alignment with the programme. Pitch slots are limited to 50 startups”
4
Confirm participation
Selected startups receive official confirmation with their pitch track and participation details.
Selection process
- Securing a WHX Tech Startup Pod does not automatically guarantee a pitch slot in the Xcelerate Startup Competition. Applicants will be reviewed and shortlisted by an internal selection committee through a structured evaluation process
- Pitch slots are limited and will be allocated based on startup eligibility, innovation focus, sector relevance, business stage, traction, team strength, investment readiness, and alignment with the WHX Tech programme
- Up to 50 startups will be shortlisted to pitch live on Xcelerate Stage. From these, 12 finalists will progress to the Grand Finale on the World X Stage, where they will compete for the USD 50,000 prize pool
- Shortlisted startups will be notified by the end of November
Deadline to submit your application: 4th November 2026
Terms & conditions for Xcelerate Pitch Competition
- 01
Shortlisting announcement: Shortlisted applicants for the Xcelerate Pitch Competition will be officially announced by end of November 2026
- 02
Travel and accommodation: Participating startups are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and visa arrangements.
- 03
Startup pod opportunity: Please be aware that securing a pod involves a vetting process for competition eligibility. This step ensures that only the most promising startups, those with a pod, are featured in our competition.
WHX Tech 2025
Meet the winners!
1st Prize
Xcelerate Champion of Innovation winner: Strolll
2nd Prize
Xceptional Patient-Centric Innovation winner: Eclateral
3rd Prize
Xtraordinarily Early stage startup winner: Youth Health Tech
2027 Xcelerate Advisory Board
The Xcelerate Advisory Board brings targeted expertise across the three-day agenda, helping shape relevant content, connect startups with the right mentors, judges and investors, and ensure the programme delivers real value for founders.
Ida Beerhalter
Co-head
IOME Family Office
Danielle Graham
General Partner, Phoenix Fire & Co-Founder
The Firehood
Pilar Fernandez Hermida
Founder & Managing Director
I-Expand
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. To be eligible for the Xcelerate Startup Competition, shortlisted startups must hold a confirmed WHX Tech Startup Pod, subject to availability.
No. All applications for the Xcelerate startup competition go through a screening and selection process. Only startups that meet the programme’s criteria will be invited to pitch.
Startups are assessed based on market opportunity, solution differentiation, traction, team, and investment readiness.
No. Startups are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, visas, and any related costs for attending WHX Tech.
Yes. Startups at different stages are welcome to apply. However, priority may be given to companies preparing for funding, partnerships, or market expansion.
Details from your application are used to support curated investor matchmaking, based on your startup’s stage, sector focus, and investor interests.
No. Early-stage startups and scale-ups pitch in separate tracks and are assessed alongside peers at a similar stage of growth.
Approximately 50 startups will pitch across the early-stage and scale-up tracks, with 12 finalists progressing to the Grand Finale.
The total prize pool is USD 50,000, awarded across multiple winners in the Grand Finale.
You only need to attend on your assigned pitching day. Finalists must also attend Day 3 to pitch in the Grand Finale.
Shortlisted startups will receive detailed instructions and a dedicated point of contact ahead of the event.