REWIRE: Health Tech & Wellbeing Commercialisation Lab

This programme is designed for researchers who are:

• Affiliated with a University or Research Organisation in the European Union, or in a Horizon Europe associated country, including MSc students, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, or academic staff;
• Working in fields such as Digital Health, Health Tech, Medical Devices, AI-driven Wellbeing, or other related scientific or technological areas;
• Interested in exploring the market potential and real-world application of their research.

This opportunity is especially relevant for those working on projects at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 1–3) who want to:

• Validate their ideas with industry or clinical experts;
• Explore entrepreneurship and spin-off pathways;
• Prepare for EU funding opportunities (e.g., Horizon Europe, EIC Pathfinder).

You do not need a full team or business plan to apply — just a research idea or early-stage innovation with potential. We will support you in taking the next steps toward impact and implementation

REWIRE: Health Tech & Wellbeing Commercialisation Lab is a hybrid programme that combines:

Online learning over 6 weeks: Participants can choose between 2 tracks:

1. Tackle real clinical challenges → Work on real challenges from CHUC – Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, guided by doctors and experts.
2. Work on your own idea → Use the programme to develop your own research or early-stage project, and explore how to bring it to the market.

You will gain hands-on experience in:

• Problem Discovery & Stakeholder Mapping: Identify real clinical needs, map out key stakeholders (doctors, patients, industry experts), and define the core problem you’re solving.
• IP Valorisation & Licensing (IP types, disclosure, freedom to operate): ​​Learn how to protect your innovation through IP (types, disclosure, licensing strategies) and understand your freedom to operate.
• Business Modelling (Lean Canvas, value proposition, revenue streams): Build your Lean Canvas, define your value proposition, and explore business models that work in DeepTech and HealthTech.
• Market Validation (interviews, TAM/SAM/SOM, use case planning): Design interviews, calculate market size (TAM/SAM/SOM), and run user research with real partners like CHUC or Glintt.
• EU Grant Funding Access (EIC Pathfinder, Horizon Europe) & Venture Capital: Explore EU funding (EIC Pathfinder, Horizon), understand equity rounds, cap tables, and investor expectations.
• AI-powered Storytelling & Pitch Design: Use PitchBob.ai to create your deck, refine your story, and build clear visuals with mentor feedback.
• Pitch Delivery & Technical Submission Training: Practice delivery, get 1:1 feedback, and prepare for Demo Day. Submit final deck and optional intro video.

Each week combines theory and practice, supported by weekly assignments and tailored 1:1 mentorship based on project needs and progress.

The time commitment during the 6-week online phase is ~3-4 hours/week (theory + mentoring).

The programme concludes with a 3-day in-person Bootcamp and Demo Day in Lisbon, aligned with Web Summit week. Participants refine their pitch decks, receive 1:1 coaching, and present their projects to mentors, clinicians, and a curated group of industrial VCs and angel investors. By the end, each team will have a validated problem-solution fit, a clear IP and business strategy, and an investor-ready pitch deck. The most promising projects will also be selected for dedicated support in preparing EU grant applications (such as Horizon Europe or EIC), including personalised 1:1 mentorship.

Throughout the programme, you will:

• Learn how to protect and commercialise your Digital Health research through IP valorisation.
• Develop and test business models using real clinical and industry challenges, including those presented by CHUC – Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra.
• Create a professional pitch deck and funding strategy aligned with EIC Pathfinder, Horizon Europe, and national grant opportunities.
• Get access to a clear EU funding roadmap and receive mentorship to help you prepare strong grant applications for your project.
• Collaborate with researchers, clinicians, industry experts, and investors.
• Present your idea in front of invited VCs and angel investors during Demo Day, opening doors to funding and partnerships.

The programme is led by a consortium of innovation actors supporting the commercialisation of health-related research across Europe:

• Applejack Lab – Leading the programme, providing expertise on venture-building and fundraising strategy.
• Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN) – Providing IP training, innovation management, and industry engagement.
• PitchBob.io – Supporting AI-powered pitch design and storytelling.
• University of Coimbra – Contributing research talent and academic integration.
• CHUC – Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra – Supporting clinical validation and real-world healthcare challenges.
• Glintt & Nutrium – Industry partners providing clinical use-case challenges, feedback, and market need validation.
• EU IP Helpdesk – Supporting IP strategy and protection.
• DeepSync EU – Providing support on EU DeepTech fundraising strategy, with a focus on EIC and Horizon Europe opportunities.