Deadline: 19-Jun-2026
The Open Innovation Challenge for openEHR-Based Clinical Innovation supports the development of scalable digital health solutions built on the openEHR platform. The initiative encourages innovators, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to collaborate on interoperable healthcare technologies that address real-world clinical needs, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen healthcare systems.
The 2026 edition focuses on leveraging openEHR as a standardized technology platform to create innovative digital health solutions that can be integrated into healthcare ecosystems while promoting interoperability, efficiency, and data-driven care.
About the Open Innovation Challenge
The Open Innovation Challenge is designed to accelerate healthcare innovation by bringing together diverse stakeholders to co-create practical solutions for existing healthcare challenges. Participants are encouraged to develop digital health products and services that improve clinical workflows, enhance data quality, and support better decision-making within healthcare environments.
The Challenge emphasizes innovation that is not only technically feasible but also desirable for users and viable within healthcare systems. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, participants can transform ideas into solutions capable of creating measurable impact.
What is openEHR?
openEHR is an open standard for managing and exchanging electronic health data. It enables healthcare systems to store, share, and reuse clinical information in a consistent and interoperable manner.
Key benefits of openEHR include:
- Improved interoperability between healthcare systems
- Better data quality and consistency
- More efficient clinical workflows
- Enhanced patient-centered care
- Easier integration of digital health solutions
- Long-term sustainability of healthcare data
By using openEHR as a common standard, healthcare organizations can reduce fragmentation and improve the exchange of information across different platforms and providers.
Challenge Focus Areas
The Open Innovation Challenge focuses on developing solutions that contribute to:
- Interoperable digital health systems
- Improved clinical workflows
- Enhanced healthcare data quality
- Better patient outcomes
- Real-world clinical problem solving
- Healthcare innovation and transformation
- Development of minimum viable products (MVPs)
- Integration of solutions into healthcare ecosystems
Participants are encouraged to identify pressing healthcare challenges and develop practical solutions that can be implemented in real-world clinical settings.
Who Can Participate?
The Challenge is designed for a broad range of stakeholders interested in healthcare innovation and digital transformation.
Potential participants include:
- Healthcare professionals
- Clinicians and medical experts
- Digital health innovators
- Entrepreneurs and start-up founders
- Researchers and academics
- Technology developers
- Patients and patient advocates
- Innovation specialists
- Industry experts and collaborators
The program encourages multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure solutions address both technical and clinical needs.
Open Public Phase
Interested participants can join the Challenge through the open public phase by completing the online registration form.
This phase allows participants to:
- Explore healthcare challenges in greater depth
- Learn more about openEHR technology
- Connect with fellow innovators
- Exchange knowledge and expertise
- Develop and refine ideas
- Build collaborative teams
- Stay informed about Challenge activities and events
The public phase serves as the starting point for participants seeking to understand healthcare needs and identify opportunities for innovation.
Innovation Journey and Support Structure
The Open Innovation Challenge provides structured support throughout the innovation process, helping participants move from ideas to validated solutions.
Stage One: From Problem Identification to Idea Generation
The first stage focuses on understanding healthcare challenges and generating innovative concepts.
Participants receive opportunities to:
- Engage in knowledge-sharing activities
- Attend innovation events and workshops
- Collaborate with healthcare stakeholders
- Explore clinical needs and challenges
- Develop early-stage ideas and concepts
This phase helps participants build a shared understanding of healthcare problems and identify opportunities for meaningful innovation.
Stage Two: From Ideas to Minimum Viable Products
The second stage focuses on transforming promising concepts into practical solutions.
Selected teams receive support to:
- Develop minimum viable products (MVPs)
- Validate technical feasibility
- Assess user desirability
- Evaluate business viability
- Test solutions using real-world insights
- Strengthen partnerships and collaborations
- Prepare solutions for healthcare integration
The goal is to help innovators create solutions that are ready for implementation within healthcare environments.
Benefits of Participating
Participants in the Open Innovation Challenge can benefit from:
- Access to healthcare innovation networks
- Collaboration with experts and stakeholders
- Opportunities to refine and validate ideas
- Exposure to real-world healthcare challenges
- Support in MVP development
- Guidance throughout the innovation process
- Connections with healthcare and industry partners
- Pathways toward integration within the Swiss healthcare ecosystem
The Challenge provides a platform for innovators to transform ideas into solutions that can create meaningful impact in healthcare.
About Innovation Catalyst
The Open Innovation Challenge is delivered through the Innovation Catalyst, powered by DayOne.
The Innovation Catalyst aims to accelerate healthcare transformation across Switzerland through open innovation and collaboration. Its programs bring together healthcare experts, patients, entrepreneurs, researchers, and other stakeholders to address healthcare challenges and co-create impactful solutions.
Through its Open Innovation Challenges, the initiative supports the development of innovative healthcare technologies while fostering partnerships that drive long-term change within healthcare systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Open Innovation Challenge for openEHR-Based Clinical Innovation?
It is an innovation program that supports the development of interoperable digital health solutions using the openEHR platform. - What is the main objective of the Challenge?
The Challenge aims to develop scalable healthcare solutions that address real-world clinical needs while improving interoperability, efficiency, and patient outcomes. - What is openEHR?
openEHR is an open standard for managing and exchanging electronic health information in a structured and interoperable way. - Who can participate in the Challenge?
Healthcare professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, technology developers, patients, and other stakeholders interested in healthcare innovation can participate. - What happens during the open public phase?
Participants can explore healthcare challenges, connect with collaborators, develop ideas, and stay informed about Challenge activities. - What support is provided to selected teams?
Selected teams receive tailored support to validate feasibility, desirability, and viability while developing minimum viable products and preparing them for healthcare integration. - Who delivers the Challenge?
The initiative is delivered through the Innovation Catalyst, powered by DayOne, which supports healthcare transformation through collaboration and open innovation.
Conclusion
The Open Innovation Challenge for openEHR-Based Clinical Innovation 2026 provides a collaborative platform for developing interoperable digital health solutions that address real-world healthcare needs. By combining openEHR technology, stakeholder collaboration, and structured innovation support, the Challenge helps participants transform ideas into validated solutions capable of improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes while contributing to the future of digital health.
For more information, visit DayOne.
