India’s Biggest HealthTech Pitch Day Wraps Up at IIT Indore as Startups Battle for the Top Spot

The DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge 2025 concluded with an electrifying atmosphere as India’s most promising digital health startups showcased their innovations during live demonstrations and competitive pitches. This year’s event marked the second edition of the Challenge, which doubled in scale, ambition, and impact compared to the previous year.

A Day of Innovation and Insight

The Demo Day highlighted the rapid maturation and scaling of India’s digital health ecosystem, shifting towards real-world impact. The previous edition had crowned Medyseva Technologies as the winner, establishing a strong benchmark for innovation in rural and digital health delivery.

The event commenced with an inspiring address from Vishnu Saxena, CEO & Founder of ScaleHealthTech and Digital Health News. His remarks set the tone for a day dedicated to high-impact, future-ready innovation. Following this, Dr. RS Sharma, Strategic Advisor at DHN and former CEO of the National Health Authority, delivered a keynote session emphasizing the urgency and opportunity presented by India’s digital health transformation.

Keynote Insights

Vishnu Saxena remarked, “This year’s Challenge has reinforced something we have believed for a long time, that India is entering a phase where the most meaningful healthcare solutions will emerge not from legacy systems but from the bold, mission-driven founders building at the intersection of health and technology. What stood out about this cohort was their ability to blend clinical insight with technological innovation in a way that can truly shift outcomes on the ground.”

He further emphasized that HealthTech in India is evolving beyond experiments and pilots to scalable, implementable solutions that can serve millions. The winners and finalists demonstrated not only innovation but also a clear purpose and commitment to addressing India’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

The Jury Panel

The jury panel comprised influential leaders in the digital health sector, including:

• Dr. Uma Nambiar – CEO, IISc Medical School Foundation, Chairperson-DHI
• Dr. RS Sharma – Strategic Advisor, DHN; Former CEO, National Health Authority
• Dr. Feby Abraham – EVP & Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston
• Cdr. Navneet Bali – Executive Director & CEO, Clearmedi Healthcare
• Vishnu Saxena – Founder & CEO, DHN & ScaleHealthTech
• Tushar Sadhu – Associate Vice President, W Health Ventures
• Ben Patel – Chief Technology Officer, University of Cincinnati Health, Ohio

Each finalist was allotted a 15-minute slot for comprehensive demonstrations, product walkthroughs, and jury interactions, making this one of the most rigorous evaluation formats in the country.

Winners and Finalists

After intense live demonstrations and jury questioning, the startup Ivory, founded by Issac John, emerged as the winner of the Challenge. John expressed his gratitude, stating, “The DHN HealthTech Innovation Challenge was a prestigious milestone for us, particularly given the deep expertise of the jury. This recognition is a powerful reaffirmation of our team’s commitment to our mission of improving brain health for India.”

Curebay Technologies (Oralcare) secured the 1st Runner-Up position, while Plus91 Technologies, led by Aditya Patkar and Neelesh Bhandari, was announced as the 2nd Runner-Up. Patkar reflected on the event, saying, “It was a pleasure to reconnect with old colleagues and see solutions ready for real-world use. Events like this reinforce our view that progress is collective.”

Event Partnerships and Recognition

The event was hosted in partnership with the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation and received ecosystem support from W Health Ventures, CDAC, iCreate, and AWS. This year’s Challenge held particular significance as it was officially recognized as a Pre-Summit Event for the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, hosted by MeitY and IndiaAI, setting the stage for India’s future in deep-tech healthcare.

Looking Ahead

The day concluded with winners gaining access to the DHN ecosystem, increased visibility within India’s healthtech community, and opportunities for strategic networking and collaboration throughout 2025–26. The event underscored the future of Indian healthcare, characterized by deep-tech innovation, AI-led diagnostics, and improved rural accessibility.

As DHN begins onboarding winners into its ecosystem, the platform is poised to accelerate the next wave of digital health breakthroughs in India. The event closed on a strong note, with DHN receiving early inquiries for participation in the next edition of the Innovation Challenge.

Note: For further details on participation or partnership, contact DHN at info@digitalhealthnews.com.