Healthcare Innovation Takes Centre Stage
Global healthcare provider IHH Healthcare, along with its subsidiary Fortis Healthcare, has announced the winners of the inaugural IHH Catalyst | Fortis India Edition, a startup accelerator designed to identify and scale breakthrough healthcare innovations in India. The programme concluded with a demo day where 10 shortlisted healthtech startups showcased their solutions before a panel of healthcare leaders, clinicians, investors, and industry experts after completing a 12-week accelerator programme.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between healthcare innovation and real world clinical adoption by helping startups validate, refine, and scale their solutions within the Fortis healthcare ecosystem.
Top Startups Recognised for Innovation
eNext ICU emerged as the winner of the 2026 edition for its 24×7 Tele ICU platform, which addresses the shortage of critical care specialists, particularly across Tier II and Tier III cities.
RNT Health Insights secured the first runner-up position for developing AI-powered medical devices that improve the early detection of upper gastrointestinal cancers during routine endoscopic procedures.
Cartogene Therapeutics was named the second runner-up for its work in making CAR-T cell therapy more accessible and affordable for patients suffering from blood cancers in India.
The winners were selected based on their innovation, scalability, business potential, and ability to solve critical healthcare challenges.
12-Week Accelerator Supported Startup Growth
Launched in February 2026, the programme marked the first regional edition of IHH Healthcare’s global incubator platform. It attracted 195 applications from healthcare startups across India, with only 10 companies making it to the final cohort after a multi-stage evaluation process.
Participants underwent an intensive accelerator programme that included mentorship from industry experts, clinical validation, operational refinement, and opportunities to pilot their solutions within Fortis Healthcare’s clinical network.
The structured programme was designed to help startups move beyond product development toward commercial readiness and healthcare adoption.
Driving India’s HealthTech Ecosystem
The inaugural cohort featured startups working across diverse healthcare segments, including telemedicine, cancer diagnostics, genomics, medical devices, digital health, preventive care, and healthcare financing. Selected startups included Cartogene Therapeutics, CarePal Money, Tatvacare, MicroHeal, RNT Health Insights, Nalagenetics, Sunfox Technologies, eNext ICU, Kubo Care, and Cureous Labs.
The initiative reflects the growing collaboration between hospitals, healthcare providers, and startups to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes through technology driven solutions.
Strengthening the Future of Healthcare Innovation
As India’s healthcare sector increasingly embraces digital transformation, accelerator programmes such as IHH Catalyst | Fortis India Edition are becoming important platforms for nurturing next-generation healthtech companies. By providing mentorship, clinical access, and industry partnerships, such programmes help startups overcome commercialization challenges and scale impactful healthcare solutions.
The successful launch of the accelerator also reinforces IHH Healthcare and Fortis Healthcare’s commitment to supporting innovation that can improve accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare across India.
