After four successfully organized meetups, it was time to take a step further and accept the challenge of organizing a two-day conference that gathered numerous local, regional, and international experts. The first edition of the HealthTech Adria Conference was held on December 5th and 6th at the Amphitheater of the School of Medicine in Split, organized by the NetHub Accelerator and the University of Split, School of Medicine.
The conference had a clear goal: to encourage the development of the healthtech industry in Croatia by connecting healthcare and technology experts and facilitating the exchange of knowledge about the latest trends. In addition to creating a platform for inspiration and collaboration, the objective was to provide participants with the opportunity to gain concrete insights and knowledge through lectures and panel discussions that will assist them in the further development and commercialization of innovative solutions.
The conference was moderated by Pinija Poljaković, whose professional and energetic guidance ensured a dynamic atmosphere and a seamless flow of the program.
The formal opening began with an address by Katarina Vukojević, Vice-Dean for Science at the School of Medicine in Split, who highlighted the importance of partnerships between academia, industry, and healthcare professionals. She emphasized that the past decade has been marked by the strengthening of the innovation ecosystem in the region, pointing to the collaboration with the NetHub Accelerator as a key element of this success. This partnership enabled the connection of researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, creating the foundation for transformative progress in healthcare.
Marko Mimica, founder of the NetHub Accelerator, reflected on the importance of mutual cooperation and the removal of boundaries between different organizations to enable synergy and real progress in the healthcare system. He emphasized that the conference is not only about discussing sectoral challenges but also about taking concrete steps toward strengthening the collaboration that can transform healthcare delivery in the region and beyond.
The first day of the conference was focused on the development of the innovation ecosystem, with an emphasis on collaboration between academia, industry, and technological innovators. Two panel discussions and a series of lectures were held.
The first panel discussion brought together Aleksandra Love, Vesna Gabelica Marković, Carl Härtlein, Marko Mimica, and Rebeka Žerovnik, focusing on the importance of connecting and collaborating across different stakeholders as a crucial step for creating sustainable innovations in healthcare. The panelists pointed out that strengthening regional innovation ecosystems is necessary to achieve a measurable and long-term impact in the healthcare sector.
In the second panel, Antonio Perić-Mažar, Martin Morava, and Admir Kulin discussed the untapped potential of regional software agencies in developing digital health products. They highlighted that complex regulations, the gap between the healthcare and technology sectors, and a lack of openness to innovation are key barriers in Croatia, necessitating greater investment in healthcare digitalization.
Both panel discussions provided valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities brought by connecting key stakeholders within the healthcare and technology sectors, while simultaneously highlighting the importance of regional and international collaboration for creating sustainable healthcare solutions.
Participants had the opportunity to hear a series of extremely interesting lectures by domestic and international experts. Particularly engaging was the presentation by Ivan Biliškov, who spoke about artificial intelligence as one of the most current topics in digital health. He provided the audience with an intriguing insight into the potentials and challenges that AI brings to the transformation of healthcare. Krešimir Dolić, Director of KBC Split, Zoran Đogaš, Vice-Rector of the University of Split, and international experts Admir Kulin, Alex Leach, and James Hudson also shared their expertise and experience, covering key themes related to innovation, the implementation of new technologies, and the future of healthcare systems.
The realization of this event would not have been possible without the support of organizational partners, including the School of Medicine in Split, the PR agency Vrh komunikacije, the digital marketing agency SeekandHit, and the technical production by Hipermedia plus. Contributions were also made by sponsors – Moralis and Bobis, who provided the coffee breaks, Plan B prepared lunch for both days, and Kairos vina took care of the informal networking session after the conference. Leda water ensured participants stayed hydrated, and all participants went home with gift bags containing, among other things, natural products from the company Apimel.
More than 100 participants had the chance to hear about the latest trends in digital health, practical solutions, and the key challenges faced by innovators and healthcare workers. The first day of the conference clearly demonstrated that collaboration between science, industry, and technology is essential for creating sustainable innovations in healthcare. Through constructive discussions and expert presentations, the HealthTech Adria Conference provided an inspiring platform for creating new opportunities, exchanging ideas, and strengthening the innovation ecosystem in the region.