24 of the world’s leading healthcare start-ups showcased the latest technologies in Artificial intelligence, drug delivery, BioTech, surgery, and medical devices, with VitruvianMD crowned the winner.
Students from the American University of Sharjah were announced winners of the inaugural Cre8 competition
VitruvianMD, a trailblazing company combining biomedical engineering and cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), has clinched the top spot in this year’s Arab Health Innov8 competition. The intense week-long judging process, featuring presentations from 24 diverse companies over the initial three days of Arab Health, culminated in VitruvianMD being awarded a cash prize of US$10,000.
VitruvianMD’s groundbreaking technology revolves around a versatile camera seamlessly attachable to any microscope, fueled by sophisticated AI tools. This innovation facilitates medical laboratories in transitioning effortlessly to a digital pathology framework. In a world grappling with a shortage of diagnosticians, particularly in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa with a concerning pathologist-to-population ratio, VitruvianMD’s solutions aim to establish new standards.
In addition to the cash prize, VitruvianMD gains access to an exclusive mentorship program with Startupbootcamp MENA. Furthermore, the company will engage in discussions with potential investors, seeking valuable insights, potential collaborations, and fundraising opportunities. VitruvianMD also receives complimentary exhibition space at Arab Health 2025.
The esteemed judging panel comprised notable investors, entrepreneurs, and medical experts, including Triska Hamid (Editorial Director, Wamda), Hadi Saeed Alshakhori (Ecosystem Builder, Saudi Arabia), Reenita Das (Partner, Senior Vice President, Frost & Sullivan), H.E. Faisal Belhoul (Vice Chairman, Dubai Chambers of Commerce & Industry), Zeina Youseff (Operations Support Manager, Rainmaking), and Dr. Bader Khraibut (Senior Consultant, Strategy& Middle East, UAE).
Among the finalists were Hera Health Solutions, Maya AI, Incura Med, Luminore Copper Touch, Nanopalm, Nephrodite, and Caresyntax. These innovative companies presented solutions ranging from long-acting treatments and AI digital robots to nanomedicines and patient-inspired dialysis solutions.
Additionally, at the conclusion of Arab Health 2024, the inaugural Cre8 competition announced its winners, with the team from the American University of Sharjah securing the top prize for their Real-Time Wireless Monitoring System with Predictive Analysis of Healthcare Data. This competition aimed to nurture creativity and innovation among participating UAE students, challenging them to devise solutions for real healthcare problems within an imaginary AED 100,000 budget.
Other finalists included teams from Ajman University, showcasing solutions for diabetic retinopathy staging and a Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs) ML and AI screening App.
The judging panel for the Cre8 competition featured Dr. James Shapiro (Professor of Surgery, Medicine, and Surgical Oncology, University of Alberta), Carlos Iniguez (Director, GEN Accelerates), Sowmya Srinath (Director of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Frost & Sullivan), and Dr. Louiza Chitour (Senior Advisor & Co-founder, Stealth Startup).
