MEDICA START-UP PARK: Setting the stage for newcomers

Previously startups didn't have their own platform at the MEDICA trade fair. In the past, startup companies were scattered among major exhibitors. For the first time ever, this year's trade fair will feature the MEDICA START-UP PARK where industry newcomers take center stage.

In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Dr. Claudio Bucchi explains why innovative young entrepreneurs from the digital health sector should become exhibitors in the new MEDICA START-UP PARK and illustrates the additional possibilities this opens up for visitors and major exhibitors.

Dr. Bucchi, this is the first year you feature the START-UP PARK at MEDICA trade fair. What is this Park about?

Dr. Claudio Bucchi: The MEDICA START-UP PARK is a designated area in Hall 15 just for startup companies and offers approximately 200 square meters of floor space. Young innovative companies from the digital health field can showcase their products here and get in touch with customers, partners, investors or networks.

What makes the START-UP PARK so special? Why should startup companies exhibit at this venue?

Bucchi: MEDICA is the largest medical trade fair in the world. Anyone who wants to stay at the top of their game in the field of medicine or digital health and play in the big international leagues should obviously be a part of it. However, as individual exhibitors, startup companies have a difficult time because unlike large companies, they only have limited available resources. This is where we come in, take on this task and become a one-stop source. We provide the booth space and handle the advertising and the entire organization. The startup company doesn't have to worry about anything and is free to meet MEDICA visitors, investors etc. – based on the company's current objective.

What possibilities does this offer other exhibitors or visitors of MEDICA?

Bucchi: The START-UP PARK is a brand-new format that was newly conceptualized. Visitors sense that something big is happening here. The primary focus of Hall 15 is IT and communications. It features not just larger show booths highlighting wearable technologies for example, but also those forums that are highly frequented. Creating a fresh and young identity with the MEDICA START-UP PARK is interesting for both the visitors and the exhibitors. The big companies look for creators, clever minds and unique ideas to potentially take a stake in them or enter into a partnership. This is a win-win situation for both startup companies and the exhibitors.

What companies do you expect to see at the START-UP PARK?

Bucchi: So far we have already assigned 15 spots. We have a little bit of everything: lung function testing using the smartphone, mobile telemedicine diagnostics for pregnant women, ECG self-monitoring at home and a real-time locating system for hospitals. Visitors can find a big variety of different startup companies from the digital health field. They are all already listed on the START-UP PARK landing page.