Dubai, UAE – The stage is set for one of the region's most anticipated healthcare innovation events. On February 13, 2026, ten standout startups will compete at the MedTech World Startup Pitch Competition, held during MedTech World Middle East, Dubai 2026. Sponsored by Blue Goat Cyber and Ascend CRO, the competition brings founders face-to-face with a jury of seasoned investors in a high-pressure, high-reward environment.
Each finalist will deliver a fast-paced pitch followed by direct questioning from the jury. There are no second chances—just clarity, traction, and conviction. With a diverse mix of clinical innovation, AI-driven solutions, and next-generation devices, this year's lineup promises a tightly contested showdown.
Meet the 10 Finalists Competing for the Trophy
The competition features an impressive roster of founders, each bringing decades of experience and groundbreaking technologies to the stage:
Allotex – Refractive Surgery Innovation
Michael Mrochen, Co-Founder & CEO of Allotex, brings more than three decades of experience building refractive surgery platforms from concept to global adoption. A serial entrepreneur with multiple exits, his work has shaped technologies now used worldwide in vision correction.
Calla Lily Clinical Care – Healthcare Execution Meets Finance
Thang Vo-Ta, CEO and Co-Founder of Calla Lily Clinical Care, is an MIT- and Oxford-trained entrepreneur with roots in investment banking and private equity. Recognised among the UK's top industry leaders, he combines commercial discipline with healthcare execution to transform patient care delivery.
Sinaptica – Personalized Neuromodulation for Alzheimer's
Ken Mariash, CEO of Sinaptica, is advancing a personalized closed-loop neuromodulation therapy for Alzheimer's disease, backed by Phase 2 clinical data published in Brain. With over 20 years across consulting, biotech, and medtech leadership, he brings deep experience in strategy, commercialization, and growth.
SurgeOmniQ-X – AI-Driven Surgical Precision
Dr. Siddharthan Rajagopal, Founder & CEO of SurgeOmniQ-X, is a surgeon-innovator focused on AI-driven surgical precision. With thousands of procedures and advanced robotic surgery exposure, his work bridges clinical practice and technology development to enhance surgical outcomes.
Endiatx – Multidisciplinary Innovation
Arman Nadershahi, CEO of Endiatx, comes from a multidisciplinary background spanning law, engineering, and entrepreneurship. His career includes leadership roles across companies that have completed IPOs and acquisitions, bringing valuable exit experience to the medtech space.
Opportunity Health – Regulatory and Clinical Excellence
Nicolás López de Aguileta Castaño, CTO of Opportunity Health, specialises in regulatory and clinical affairs, combining hands-on compliance expertise with strategic thinking to support patient safety and healthcare innovation across multiple markets.
Imagine Devices – FDA-Aligned MedTech Programs
Iman Salafian, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Imagine Devices, is a seasoned MedTech executive with over 15 years of experience across FDA-aligned programs, non-dilutive funding, and revenue growth, alongside multiple industry awards recognizing her leadership.
ZERObrush – AI-Driven Oral Care Personalization
Akash Pai, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of ZERObrush, is working to bring AI-driven personalization into oral care. With a background spanning major tech companies and consumer products, he focuses on bridging technology, clinical validation, and market adoption.
Komed Health – Care Orchestration Platform
Luiza Dobre, Founder and CEO of Komed Health, has over 15 years of experience in digital health and hospital operations. Her care-orchestration platform is clinically proven in Europe and now expanding into the GCC region, addressing critical healthcare workflow challenges.
TT3A – First-in-Class Cardiovascular Device
Alessandro Pizzo, CEO of TT3A, is building a first-in-class cardiovascular device, drawing on experience in early-stage venture capital and a multi-decade family background in medical device distribution across global markets.
What the Winner Takes Home
Beyond the trophy and recognition, the MedTech World Startup Pitch Competition offers tangible value for the winning startup:
- Startup Package for MedTech Malta 2026 – Access to another premier European medtech event
- Dedicated Media Exposure – Featured coverage across MedTech World's global channels
- Year-Long PR Coverage – Sustained visibility throughout 2026
- Blue Goat Cyber Special Prize – 10 hours of tailored consulting focused on cybersecurity and regulatory strategy, including guidance across FDA, EU MDR, and Health Canada pathways
These prizes are particularly valuable as startups navigate the complex regulatory landscape required to scale from pilot programs to commercial deployment across multiple markets.
Why This Competition Matters for Dubai's Healthcare Ecosystem
The MedTech World Startup Pitch Competition reinforces Dubai's position as a global hub for healthcare innovation. By attracting world-class founders and investors to the region, the event accelerates knowledge transfer, partnership formation, and capital deployment in the MENA healthcare sector.
For startups in the region looking to connect with the broader innovation ecosystem, explore other major Dubai startup events happening throughout 2026.
The MedTech World Startup Pitch Competition takes place on February 13, 2026, during MedTech World Middle East, Dubai 2026.
