First Paediatric and Maternal Investment Forum to boost the financing of innovative solutions

i4KIDS, together with the MedAngels Network of the Barcelona Medical Council and the Montana Impact Fund – Ship2B Ventures, has organised the 1st Paediatric and Maternal Investment Forum, an event that brought together investors, health experts and European startups to advance innovative solutions in paediatrics and maternal health. The programme combined institutional addresses, a discussion on child-focused investment, and the presentation of seven technological and biomedical projects selected for their high potential for impact.

New European call to boost innovation in paediatric epilepsy care through the i4KIDS-4RARE initiative

The i4KIDS-4RARE Neuropilepsy Innovation Programme, launched with EpiCARE, supports innovative solutions to improve early diagnosis, cognitive monitoring and personalised therapies for children with rare epilepsies. The call focuses on three key challenges to advance paediatric epilepsy care across Europe.

i4KIDS renews its recognition as an R&D&I network in pediatric and maternal innovation until 2028

The Government of Catalonia, through AGAUR, has renewed its support for i4KIDS, the pediatric and maternal health innovation network coordinated by Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona and the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, for the 2026–2028 period. Recognized as a European benchmark in pediatric innovation, i4KIDS brings together more than 110 research groups and 30 organizations to transform research into real-world solutions that improve the health and well-being of children and mothers.

The i4KIDS team travels to the United States to explore the paediatric and maternal health innovation ecosystem

The i4KIDS team carried out a mission to the United States to explore the paediatric and maternal health innovation ecosystem. The agenda included visits to leading institutions in California and participation in the Impact1 CEO Summit in Austin, with the aim of strengthening alliances and sharing international knowledge.

i4KIDS, Med Angels del CoMB and Montana Children’s Health launch the Paediatric Investment Forum

The Paediatric Investment Forum, organised by i4KIDS with Montana Children’s Health and Med Angels del CoMB, will be held in Barcelona on 19 November 2025. Europe-based pre-seed/seed start-ups in paediatric or maternal health may apply by 22 September 2025 to pitch to mission-aligned investors.

i4KIDS celebrates the presentation of the National Award for Knowledge Transfer Promotion 2024

The paediatric innovation hub i4KIDS has received the 2024 National Award for the Promotion of Knowledge Transfer. The award ceremony took place at the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, presided over by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, with Minister Núria Montserrat acting as host. The award recognises i4KIDS’ transformative impact in transferring knowledge to the market and highlights its role in mobilising investment and generating value in the healthcare sector. The award was accepted by Arnau Valls and Dr Joan Comella, accompanied by a large delegation from Sant Joan de Déu Hospital.

i4KIDS Acceleration Programme selects seven projects for its 2025 edition

The i4KIDS acceleration programme kicks off its 2025 edition with seven innovative projects in fetal, paediatric, and maternal health. Five of these come from i4KIDS member organisations, while two are from the ITEMAS network. Over six months, they will receive training and mentoring in clinical validation and market access. The programme will conclude at the Pediatric Innovation Day on 20 November in Barcelona.

Launch of the ADD4KIDS European Action Plan to Fast-Track Paediatric Innovation

The ADD4KIDS project launches the "European Action Plan for Paediatric Innovation" that outlines a coordinated strategy to accelerate the adoption of health solutions for children. It also promotes cross-border collaboration and innovative financing to address long-standing barriers. The Plan calls on all stakeholders to help bring impactful paediatric innovations to patients faster.

i4KIDS joins CRAASH Barcelona Acceleration Programme to boost paediatric innovation

i4KIDS has joined the 8th edition of the CRAASH Barcelona programme, led by Biocat, as a new strategic partner. This collaboration reinforces the commitment to paediatric health innovation by ensuring the inclusion of at least one project in this field. The initiative complements i4KIDS’ recently launched acceleration programme, with both offering distinct yet complementary goals: while i4KIDS supports early-stage projects (TRL 2–4) through tailored valorisation, CRAASH Barcelona focuses on more advanced solutions (TRL 3–6) and their clinical and market validation.

i4KIDS opens the call for the Acceleration Programme 2025

i4KIDS has launched its Acceleration Programme 2025, a six-month initiative designed to support five early-stage projects (TRL 2–4) in the fields of paediatric and maternal health. Through tailored training, mentoring, and expert consultancy, the programme aims to help research groups and start-ups validate their solutions and prepare them for successful market entry.

i4KIDS Receives the National Award for Knowledge Transfer Promotion 2024

i4KIDS, the Paediatric Innovation Hub at Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children's Hospital, has been awarded the National Award for Knowledge Transfer Promotion 2024 by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI) and the Government of Catalonia. This prestigious recognition highlights i4KIDS' impact in advancing fetal, paediatric and maternal health innovation, fostering collaboration, and translating research into real-world healthcare solutions.

Final Event of the ADD4KIDS Project: Accelerating demand-driven tools for paediatric Innovation adoption in Europe

The ADD4KIDS Project's final event hosted in Brussels highlighted key outcomes and strategies to accelerate paediatric innovation adoption in Europe. Experts discussed demand-driven solutions to reduce uncertainty and enhance healthcare efficiency. The presentation included the key achievements of the projecte, the launch of the White Paper and the Action Plan, designed to bridge the gap between innovation and uptake in paediatric healthcare.