Applications Now Open for CRAASH Barcelona and DKV Challenge 2026 with i4KIDS as a Strategic Partner
Innovation in paediatric, fetal and maternal health continues to advance through initiatives that support the development, validation and market adoption of new solutions. In this context, i4KIDS is reinforcing its commitment to innovation transfer by collaborating as a strategic partner in two programmes currently open for applications: CRAASH Barcelona 2026 and the DKV Challenge 2026.
Both initiatives represent an opportunity for startups, innovative projects and entrepreneurs working to address unmet clinical needs and generate a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of children, women and families.
CRAASH Barcelona 2026: Accelerating Health Innovation Transfer
CRAASH Barcelona, organised by Biocat in collaboration with CIMIT (Boston), has launched the call for applications for its ninth edition. This acceleration programme is aimed at projects and startups in the fields of medical devices, diagnostics and digital health, helping them validate their value proposition and accelerate their path to market.
This will be the second consecutive year that i4KIDS participates as a partner of the programme, further strengthening a strategic collaboration focused on advancing innovation in fetal, paediatric and maternal health. Through this partnership, projects in these fields are actively encouraged to participate, ensuring that solutions addressing paediatric and maternal-child health have a dedicated place within one of the leading acceleration programmes in the health innovation ecosystem.
Through specialised mentoring and access to an international network of experts, selected teams will be able to strengthen their development strategy, validate their solutions in real-world settings and connect with innovation ecosystems across Europe and the United States.
Further information and applications are available on the Biocat website.
DKV Challenge 2026: Innovative Solutions for Perinatal Health
i4KIDS is also collaborating in the DKV Challenge 2026, the open innovation initiative promoted by DKV Innolab, which this year focuses on perinatal health.
The initiative is seeking innovative digital solutions capable of improving the detection and monitoring of pregnancy-related complications, while also facilitating a safer transition for newborns from hospital to home. The objective is to identify technologies that can enhance healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies.
The call is aimed at startups and innovative companies with solutions that can be integrated into clinical practice and generate a tangible impact on maternal and child health. In addition, the selected solution will have the opportunity to explore adoption pathways together with DKV and other strategic partners involved in the programme, supporting validation and future scale-up opportunities.
Further information and applications are available on the DKV website.
Driving the Future of Paediatric and Maternal Health
i4KIDS’ participation in initiatives such as CRAASH Barcelona and the DKV Challenge reflects its commitment to identifying, supporting and accelerating innovative solutions capable of transforming care in fetal, paediatric and maternal health.
By collaborating with key stakeholders across the innovation, entrepreneurship and investment ecosystem, i4KIDS continues to help bring high-impact technologies closer to the market, contributing to improved health outcomes and quality of life for patients and their families.
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