In this edition of Healthtech of the Week, we take a closer look at the top twenty entries in the MCSC Hospital Leadership Innovation competition....

Health Tech of the Week: Poland as a Forge of Medical Innovation: Insights Following the Publication of the TOP20 in the 4th Edition of MCSC
In this edition of Healthtech of the Week, we take a closer look at the top twenty entries in the MCSC Hospital Leadership Innovation competition. This selection highlights how the medtech sector is currently experiencing a phase of dynamic scaling. According to data from PAIH and PARP, the value of the medical device market in Poland reached approximately USD 11 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to over USD 13.8 billion by 2026, with an annual growth rate exceeding 10 percent. Simultaneously, exports of Polish medical products have nearly tripled over six years, signaling that local innovations are beginning to play a significant role in international markets.
This growth would not be possible without the emergence of innovative medtech companies. The recently published TOP20 list from the fourth edition of the competition organized by the Institute of Mother and Child illustrates the current direction of modern medicine.
TOP20 as a Mirror of Industry Transformation
The companies that made it into the MCSC TOP20 represent diverse yet complementary trends in modern medical technology. Notably, this year’s edition attracted as many as 90 applicants from around the world! One of the most prominent areas of development is artificial intelligence algorithms that support radiological image analysis, biological signal processing, and laboratory data interpretation. These technologies have broad applications in neurology, cardiology, and dermatology, often building systems that analyze ECG signals and MRI images in cloud-based environments.

At the same time, we’re witnessing rapid progress in digital therapeutics and remote patient monitoring solutions. Startups are designing smart wound dressings that measure physicochemical wound parameters in real time, as well as rapid diagnostics based on biosensors. Others focus on comprehensive cancer patient care by integrating AI with e-health platforms. This diversity demonstrates how valuable and justified the decision to introduce categories in this edition was.
One must also acknowledge the importance of next-generation hardware solutions. Innovations such as non-invasive real-time glucose monitoring, flexible biomedical sensors, and automated neonatal care tools often fall into the classification of Class IIb or higher medical devices.
Support Ecosystem and the Path to Globalization
Importantly, many of these startups declare early readiness for certification and are already developing business models aimed at international expansion, including into Scandinavia and the United States. This approach requires a deep understanding of regulations, data interoperability, and advanced quality management—evidence of the maturity of these innovations and the above-average competencies of the teams behind them.
And rightly so. As the MedTech Europe 2024 report points out, medical technologies are the most innovative industrial sector in Europe, as evidenced by the highest number of patent applications filed with the European Patent Office. Globally, the importance of Real-World Evidence is increasing, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) applications are on the rise, and new regulations are enforcing transparency and auditability of medical algorithms.
Against this backdrop, Poland—through initiatives like MCSC—aligns with key global trends. This competition not only showcases domestic innovation but also educates and motivates companies to think globally and in line with international regulatory standards. Most importantly, it gives them the opportunity to present their ideas to potential investors and implement their solutions in real clinical environments.

Challenges on the Horizon
Despite its successes and growing interest from industry investors, the medtech sector in Poland still faces systemic challenges. Key issues include a limited number of MDR-notified bodies in the country, the absence of a unified public support strategy, and inadequate legal frameworks for clinical research involving software-based medical devices. Nevertheless, MCSC demonstrates that even in the face of these barriers, it is possible to create innovative products with export potential that meet stringent quality and medical standards.
The startups featured in MCSC’s TOP20 not only reflect the current trends in technological transformation in medicine but also actively shape Poland’s international standing in this strategic field. The competition itself proves that with proper support—technical, clinical, and regulatory—Polish innovations can effectively compete with global leaders and help shape the future of healthcare through technology, precision, and personalization. We eagerly await the announcement of the TOP10 and the upcoming Demo Day!
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Stay tuned for more in the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].
Health Tech of the Week: Poland as a Forge of Medical Innovation: Insights Following the Publication of the TOP20 in the 4th Edition of MCSC
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