As the official representation of Switzerland, the Swiss Embassy covers all matters concerning diplomatic relations between the two countries. It represents Swiss interests in the areas of political, economic, financial and legal affairs, as well as science, education and culture.
Novartis Türkiye Health Innovation Program
Partners
The Novartis Türkiye Health Innovation Program is an innovation initiative led by Novartis Türkiye, with the strategic partnership of the Swiss Embassy in Ankara and MEXT, and delivered in collaboration with Tenity as the program’s service provider.
Supported by the Swiss Embassy in Ankara now part of the Swissnex network, the program brings together startups developing innovative health solutions to explore real-world healthcare challenges and present their solutions at the final Challenge Day.
Connecting Health Innovators
The Novartis Türkiye Health Innovation Program is a challenge-based innovation initiative that brings together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and public stakeholders to develop solutions to key challenges in the healthcare ecosystem, culminating in a live Challenge Day where shortlisted startups present their solutions.
Partners
About Swiss Embassy
About Swissnex
Swissnex is the Swiss global network connecting Switzerland and the world in education, research and innovation.
Swissnex mission is to support its partners’ outreach and active engagement in the international exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent. Together with the six main locations established in the world’s most innovative regions and around 20 Science Offices and Counselors based in Swiss embassies, Swissnex contributes to strengthen Switzerland’s profile as a world-leading hotspot of innovation.
The core values of Swissnex are:
- Connecting its partners to thriving innovation ecosystems worldwide.
- Advising on trends and opportunities in science, education and innovation.
- Promoting the visibility of Swiss higher education and research institutions, startups and other innovation-driven partner organizations.
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Inspiring new ideas by promoting knowledge exchange.
About MEXT
MEXT is a digital, green, and AI transformation center founded in 2020 by the Turkish Employers’ Association of Metal Industries (MESS). Through its state-of-the-art facility, assessments, training programs, and ecosystem-driven approach, MEXT supports companies across industries in accelerating their digital and sustainable transformation journeys.
About Novartis Türkiye
Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 300 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with Novartis Türkiye: www.novartis.com.tr, www.linkedin.com/company/novartisturkiye, www.instagram.com/novartisturkiye/.
Benefits
01.
Industry Exposure
Engage directly with Novartis Türkiye and ecosystem stakeholders to showcase your solution in the context of real-world healthcare challenges.
02.
Visibility & Recognition
Gain visibility through the Innovation Day, curated communications, and exposure to a broad innovation ecosystem including industry leaders and partners.
03.
Expert Feedback
Receive structured feedback from healthcare, technology, and innovation experts during the evaluation and Challenge Day process.
04.
Ecosystem Connections
Connect with key stakeholders from the health innovation ecosystem, including corporates, institutions, and ecosystem partners supported by the Swiss Embassy and MEXT.
05.
Opportunity for Future Collaboration
Explore potential pilot, collaboration, or follow-up opportunities based on mutual interest after the Challenge Day.
Timeline
Applications Open
10 March 2026
Applications Close
10 April 2026
Pre-Selection Day
17 April 2026
Challenge Day
11 June 2026
Health Innovation Program | Challenges
Alternative Financing
Solutions that improve patient access to innovative medicines in out-of-pocket market and enabling innovative finance in healthcare.
Focus Areas
1. Smart Payments & Financial Access
Fast and accessible payment solutions using Open Banking, digital wallets, and cross-border payments.
2. Innovative Insurance & Outcome-Based Models
Insurtech solutions, and alternative funding models.
3. Secure & Integrated Financing Infrastructure
Crowdfunding, RTBC, and integrated financial workflows for healthcare providers.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Digital health solutions that increase awareness, enable earlier detection, and improve symptom management and treatment outcomes in cardiovascular diseases.
Focus Areas
1. Risk Awareness & Preventive Health
Solutions that increase awareness of cardiovascular risk factors, support preventive health approaches, and help identify high-risk populations at an early stage.
2. AI-Driven Early Detection & Screening
AI and data-driven technologies that enable earlier identification of cardiovascular risks and support more effective screening and diagnostic processes.
3. Digital Disease Management, Symptom Monitoring & Treatment Adherence
Solutions that support long-term cardiovascular disease management by improving treatment adherence, enabling continuous monitoring of patient health, and supporting the management of symptoms and overall patient outcomes.
eBC – Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Solutions that increase awareness, enable early diagnosis, improve treatment adherence, and strengthen recurrence risk awareness in early-stage breast cancer.
Focus Areas
1. Screening Awareness & Early Detection
Solutions that increase screening participation and regular mammography follow-up for women aged 40+.
2. AI-Powered Clinical Decision Support
AI-based tools that support physicians in imaging, diagnostics, and clinical decision-making in early-stage breast cancer.
3. Recurrence Risk Awareness & Risk Categorization
Solutions that increase awareness of recurrence risk among patients and healthcare professionals and support multidisciplinary alignment for accurate risk categorization.
4. Treatment Adherence & Long-Term Patient Support
Digital solutions that support treatment adherence, side-effect management, psychological support, and long-term patient follow-up throughout the patience journey.
SMA – Carrier Awareness, Guidance & Preventive Health
Solutions that increase awareness of SMA screening premerital in Türkiye and strengthen informed decision-making through guidance, psychological support, and preventive health approaches for at-risk couples.
Focus Areas
1. SMA Awareness & Continuous Education
Digital and community-based solutions that improve awareness of SMA carrier status and provide continuous, easy-to-understand education for at-risk couples.
2. Enhance Guidance & Decision Support
Digital platforms offering personalized guidance, second opinions, and alternative pathways based on premarital screening results.
3. Psychological Support & Community Partnerships
Solutions that enable psychological support, patient communication, and local or cultural partnerships to encourage informed behavior change.
Urticaria – Early Diagnosis, Patient Monitoring & Quality of Life
Digital health solutions that enable early diagnosis, shorten the Diagnose journey, and improve treatment adherence and quality of life in urticaria and related skin conditions.
Focus Areas
1. Early Diagnosis & Decision Support at First Point of Care
AI-powered tools that support fast and accurate diagnosis in primary care, emergency departments, and pharmacies.
2. Digital Screening, Monitoring & Patient Tracking
Solutions using image recognition, mobile applications, and wearables to monitor lesions, itching, and disease flares.
3. Treatment Adherence, Information Access & Quality of Life
Patient-centric digital solutions that improve adherence, provide reliable medical information, and reduce the psychosocial burden of the disease.
Requirements
Stage of Startup
- Startups operating in the health, life sciences, or digital health space
- A ready product or solution is required (applications based solely on an undeveloped concept will not be considered)
- Startups with an existing deployment or real-world use case are strongly encouraged to apply
Sector Focus
- Solutions aligned with one or more of the defined Health Innovation Program challenge areas
Market & Vision
- A clearly defined target user or customer segment (e.g. patients, healthcare professionals, providers, payers, or institutions)
- A clear and well-articulated problem statement and value proposition
- Ambition to scale and create measurable impact beyond a single use case
Program Commitment
- Ability to participate in key program touchpoints and online sessions
- Mandatory participation in the Challenge Day on June 11th, 2026, in Ankara
- All Challenge Day pitches must be delivered in English
Legal & Ethical Considerations
- Compliance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks
- Commitment to ethical innovation, data protection, privacy, and transparency
Meet the Team
Meet the Jury (TBA)
FAQs
What is the Health Innovation Program?
The Health Innovation Program is an innovation initiative led by Novartis Türkiye, with the support of the Swiss Embassy in Ankara and MEXT, and delivered in collaboration with Tenity as the program’s service provider. Designed with a collective and interdisciplinary approach, the program aims to generate innovative responses to key challenges in the health sector through an Innovation Call, a Scouting & Discovery phase, and a final Innovation Day featuring shortlisted startup pitches. The Swiss Embassy in Ankara, as part of the Swissnex network, supports the program by fostering collaboration between Swiss and Turkish stakeholders on forward-looking health and technology topics.
Who can apply?
All startups that have an established company, a ready team, and a product or solution to present are eligible to apply to the program.
Startups at an advanced stage with previously tested products should apply.
Startups at the MVP or idea stage are not accepted.
How can I apply?
Startups that meet the eligibility criteria can apply by completing the application form.
Until when can I apply?
The application deadline for the program is April 10th, 2026.
Can you share details about the pre-selection process?
The pre-selection process will take place on April 17th, 2026. Following the evaluation, shortlisted startups will be invited to the Challenge Day.
How many startups will pitch on Challenge Day?
After a comprehensive evaluation of all applications, 10 startups that best match the program criteria will be invited to pitch at the Challenge Day on June 11th, 2026, in Ankara. All pitches on Challenge Day will be delivered in English.
Can I apply with more than one startup?
Yes. As long as each startup meets the eligibility criteria, you may submit applications for multiple startups.
Will travel expenses be covered for startups coming from outside Ankara?
Yes. Travel expenses for one representative per selected startup traveling from outside Ankara to attend the Challenge Day will be covered by the program organizers. Further details regarding travel arrangements will be shared directly with the shortlisted startups.
Who can I contact for more information?
For additional questions, please contact İlayda Bahadıroğlu, Program Manager at Tenity Istanbul, at ilayda.bahadiroglu@tenity.com.
Where health innovation moves forward
The call is intended solely for applications submitted within the scope of the Program and must not be used for any other purpose. Any use for purposes other than those specified shall not be considered binding for Novartis Türkiye.