On 18 September 2026, the HealthTech Buzz sessions took place in Sofia as part of the THE HIVE 2026 innovation event, focusing on the development and scaling of health innovations.
IRHIS partners, technology developers, investors and policymakers discussed how to help promising solutions reach the market and achieve wider adoption across Europe. The programme was organised by Digital Health and Innovation Cluster Bulgaria.
Representing Health Technology Cluster iVita, Kęstutis Morkūnas presented the IRHIS project and the innovative remote-care solutions showcased through its DemoScale Labs during the “From Lab to Scale – IRHIS DemoScale Labs” session. The discussion explored how real-world testing, expert support and interregional collaboration help prepare health technologies for wider use.
The policy roundtable “What Stops Good Innovation from Reaching the Market?” focused on the barriers faced by health technology developers. Participants included Member of the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin, ISPOR Bulgaria President Prof. Maria Dimitrova, Anton Todorov, Chair of the Executive Board of the Bulgarian National Innovation Fund, and other representatives. Key topics included access to funding, regulatory requirements and support for companies seeking to bring their solutions to market.
During the “Reverse Pitching” session, investors explained what they look for in health technology solutions and what shapes their investment decisions. Viktor Manev from IMPETUS Capital, Viktor Minchev from Eleven Ventures and Stefan Deskov from Sofia Angels Ventures shared their perspectives. The format helped technology developers better understand investor expectations and how to prepare for fundraising and further growth.
A common message emerged across all sessions: a good idea alone is not enough. For a health innovation to become a widely adopted solution, it needs evidence of effectiveness, the right partners, investment and collaboration across countries.
The IRHIS project, coordinated by iVita, helps strengthen these connections by supporting remote healthcare technology developers in testing their solutions and preparing to scale across European markets.
