HealthTech Innovation Challenge

Three days to solve real healthcare challenges through technology, working in multidisciplinary teams alongside companies, hospitals and organisations from the sector. The HealthTech2030 Innovation Challenge, organised by Xartec Salut, comes to the UPC's Campus Nord.

• When: 23 to 25 October 2026. Final pitches and awards on 12 November.
• Where: Sala Àgora, UPC Campus Nord (Barcelona).
• Who: students, researchers, healthcare professionals, technology experts and start-ups. No programming skills required.
• How: on your own or in teams of 4 or 5.

The three challenges

• Decoding Disease (Almirall): uncovering hidden patterns in hidradenitis suppurativa across clinical, imaging and molecular data.
• Care Journey (AFANOC): easing the mental burden on families during childhood cancer treatment.
• Early Detection (IDIAP Jordi Gol): detecting bacterial exacerbations in COPD earlier with computer vision, mobile health or artificial intelligence.

Teams work with the Design PLAY methodology, supported by mentors, to turn an idea into a prototype and pitch it to a jury. There are prizes for the winning team in each challenge and a certificate of participation for everyone. You can also join as a mentor, volunteer or sponsor.

See the programme and register

Organised by Xartec Salut, IRIS-UPC and UPC. Project co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).