10 startups selected for MedTech World startup pitch competition in Dubai

Ten early-stage medtech startups are set to present their innovations at the MedTech World Startup Pitch Competition, taking place on 13 February during MedTech World Middle East | Dubai 2026. Sponsored by Blue Goat Cyber and Ascend CRO, the competition will see founders pitch directly to a panel of investors, with each presentation followed by a Q&A session.

The finalists represent a diverse mix of clinical innovation, AI-driven solutions, and next-generation medical devices. The competition format is fast-paced, requiring clarity, traction, and conviction from each participant.

The startups competing this year include:

• Allotex – Co-Founder & CEO Michael Mrochen brings more than 30 years of experience in developing refractive surgery platforms, with multiple successful exits and technologies now in global use.

• Calla Lily Clinical Care – CEO Thang Vo-Ta, an MIT and Oxford graduate with a background in investment banking and private equity, combines commercial expertise with healthcare execution.

• Sinaptica – CEO Ken Mariash leads work on personalised closed-loop neuromodulation therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, supported by Phase 2 clinical data published in Brain.

• SurgeOmniQ-X – Founder & CEO Dr. Siddharthan Rajagopal focuses on AI-enhanced surgical precision, leveraging experience in thousands of procedures and robotic surgery.

• Endiatx – CEO Arman Nadershahi draws on a multidisciplinary background spanning law, engineering, and entrepreneurship, including leadership roles in IPOs and acquisitions.

• Opportunity Health – CTO Nicolás López de Aguileta Castaño specialises in regulatory and clinical affairs, supporting patient safety and healthcare innovation.

• Imagine Devices – Co-Founder, President, and CEO Iman Salafian has over 15 years of MedTech experience, including FDA-aligned programmes, non-dilutive funding, and industry awards.

• ZERObrush – Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Akash Pai develops AI-driven personalised oral care solutions, combining technology, clinical validation, and market strategy.

• Komed Health – Founder & CEO Luiza Dobre offers a care-orchestration platform clinically proven in Europe, now expanding into the GCC.

• TT3A – CEO Alessandro Pizzo is developing a first-in-class cardiovascular device, building on experience in early-stage venture capital and a family history in medical device distribution.

The competition winner will receive a Startup Package for MedTech Malta 2026, media exposure, and year-long PR coverage across MedTech World channels. Blue Goat Cyber will also provide a special prize of 10 hours of consulting in cybersecurity and regulatory strategy, covering FDA, EU MDR, and Health Canada pathways.

The MedTech World Startup Pitch Competition forms part of MedTech World Middle East | Dubai 2026, running from 11 to 13 February at the Intercontinental Festival City Hotel. The event brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders to explore early-stage innovations and potential investment opportunities.