The combination of artificial intelligence, bioengineering, and new business models is transforming the healthcare sector in Europe. Events like Viva Technology 2025 and rankings such as the Top 100 Rising European Startups not only showcase innovations but also highlight key trends. This article explores notable startups that are revolutionizing medical diagnostics, therapy development, home care, and real-time monitoring through advanced technological solutions.
Highlighted cases of innovation in health
Among the most influential emerging startups in Europe is Quibim, founded in Valencia and with a presence in Madrid, Barcelona, New York, and the UK. The company develops AI-based medical imaging technologies, using image biomarkers to support precision medicine. Its ability to integrate multi-omics data has made it a reference in clinical diagnostics and assessment.
From the Netherlands and Switzerland, Cradle Bio has combined generative models with bioengineering to design personalized proteins. Using machine learning, it accelerates drug discovery while optimizing properties like molecular stability and affinity. By maintaining its own experimental lab, it keeps full control over the process.
In decentralized diagnostics and collaborative discovery, France-based Owkin stands out for its use of federated learning. Its technology allows AI models to be trained without moving sensitive data, collaborating with hospitals to develop oncology and chronic disease solutions while protecting patient privacy.
Meanwhile, Portuguese startup Sword Health has created a digital physiotherapy platform using sensors, algorithms, and personalized programs to treat musculoskeletal disorders. Its scalable digital therapy model is expanding in the United States, the UK, and other international markets.
UK-based Cera Care has developed a digital ecosystem for home care. Its platform monitors patients at home with predictive AI, helping prevent hospitalizations and optimize therapeutic follow-ups.
Finally, Hilo (formerly Aktiia), based in Switzerland with Spanish involvement through Kfund, has developed devices that continuously measure blood pressure without cuffs, using AI and non-invasive sensors. Its European expansion and medical certifications position it as a pioneer in clinical wearables.
All these startups share a vision: making healthcare more precise, accessible, and proactive by integrating advanced technology with scalable business models.
Trends redefining the sector
Observations from VivaTech 2025 and leading innovation rankings reveal several structural trends. AI applied to diagnostics, especially in medical imaging and genomic analysis, is rising. Tools from Quibim and Owkin allow early detection of diseases, improving response times in healthcare.
Healthcare delivery models are shifting from hospitals to homes. Cera Care and Sword Health exemplify efficient, digital, and personalized care outside traditional settings, reducing costs and enhancing quality of life.
Doctor measuring patient blood pressure in clinic or hospital office. Medical and Health concept.
There is also a convergence between bioengineering and software, with startups like Cradle Bio and Hilo developing products that combine molecular simulations, protein design, and smart biomedical devices, paving the way for more personalized and predictive medicine.
The macroeconomic context favors emerging tech sectors: as we have stated in previous articles, digital health is among the areas with the greatest potential in the new cycle, making it strategic for investors and entrepreneurs.
All this being said, regulatory and privacy considerations are increasingly important. Clinical validation, CE certifications, and compliance are complex but necessary barriers that startups must overcome to access the market and build trust in the healthcare sector.
Structural challenges for the European startup ecosystem
Despite the sector’s dynamism, key challenges remain. High R&D costs, especially in bioengineering or medical devices requiring clinical trials and technical validation, are significant. Regulatory diversity across Europe complicates scaling, as each country presents legal nuances that hinder smooth expansion.
Institutional adoption is another hurdle. Many public health systems advance slowly and resist new technologies. This challenge echoes findings in “Europe and Its Startups: Barriers to Scaling,” which describe similar structural obstacles in regulation, funding, and internationalization.
Privacy and ethical data use are critical. AI solutions require access to large datasets but must ensure anonymization, informed consent, and traceability without compromising patient security.
Territorial equity is also a challenge. Most of these startups emerge in tech hubs such as London, Paris, Berlin, or Barcelona, leaving rural or peripheral regions behind. Bridging this gap is crucial to maximize the social impact of these technologies.
In this context, cross-sector collaborations emerge as a key strategy to overcome many barriers, enabling the integration of resources, knowledge, and institutional networks.
Final perspectives for Europe’s healthtech ecosystem
Europe is steadily advancing the transformation of healthcare through AI and bioengineering. The startups mentioned are no longer just promises: they have secured investment, technical validation, and international expansion. This evolution presents opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors but also demands scientific rigor, social responsibility, and long-term vision.
Digital health not only improves medical outcomes but also overall well-being. Initiatives of mental disconnection show that a well-managed tech environment directly impacts mental health, productivity, and innovation capacity.
The future of healthcare depends on startups that can combine science, technology, and scalability. Insights from VivaTech 2025 confirm that Europe is well-positioned to lead this revolution if it can consolidate an ecosystem that rewards innovation with real impact.
Sources:
- EIT Health: 6 biotech start‑ups transformando la salud en Europa
- Eu‑Startups: AI meets Health: 10 promising European startups leading the change in 2025
- VivaTech (2025): Top 100 Rising European Startups 2025 Revealed
- TechCrunch: Quibim raises $50M to develop AI models for medical imaging
- El País / Cinco Días: Kfund entra en la healthtech Hilo con una ronda de 37 millones
