Are you a Finnish or Swiss pre-startup or early-stage startup tackling problems related to oncology, novel tools for disease detection and monitoring (companion diagnostics, screening, diagnosing, tracking disease progression), applications of AI/ML in health and drug discovery, or pre-clinical modelling to decrease animal testing in drug discovery?

 

If so, this is your opportunity to take to the spotlight! Apply to be one of four finalists in the Health and Pharma Pitching Competition and have the chance to pitch your idea on the Y Science stage, the largest life science gathering at Slush and an official Signature Side Event for 2025. ​

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Eligibility

 

This year's pitching competition is open for teams from Finland and Switzerland that are either pre-startup (planning to be incorporated soon) or an early-stage startup (incorporated for less than three years) working on issues relating to:

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• Oncology;

• Novel Tools for Disease Detection and Monitoring (Companion Diagnostics, Screening, Diagnosing, Tracking Disease Progression);

• Applications of AI/ML in Health and Drug Discovery; and,

  • Special Interest in Pre-Clinical Modelling to Decrease Animal Testing in Drug Discovery.

 

Please note that Y Science will take place at Slush in Finland on November 19. The Swissnex package for selected finalists from Switzerland may also include travel and accommodation on request.

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This competition is jointly organised by HiLIFE from the University of Helsinki, Orion Pharma, and Swissnex.

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Applications may be submitted at this link. The deadline for applications is September 22, 2025.

​​All finalists will

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• Receive 1-1 online speaker coaching to prepare their pitch. This will be in the form of 2x50 minute sessions with an expert pitch coach (20 October - 11 November, 2025);

• Participate in the Y Science networking pre-event (18 November, 2025);

• Showcase their idea live on the Y Science stage at the Health and Pharma Pitching Competition to a business and investment audience (November 19, 2025);

• Meet and network with potential investors;

• Meet and network with experts in the fields of their solution;

• Receive a Startup Pass to attend Slush (19-20 November, 2025); and,

• Pitch inside Slush at the swisstech Pavilion (November 20)

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The winner will also receive 5,000 EUR to take their exciting idea further!​​

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