Winners crowned at Innovation Challenge

2026 event focused on healthcare

Four health technology companies have been crowned winners at the Isle of Man Innovation Challenge 2026 following a finale event held at the Comis Hotel.

More than 200 healthcare professionals, policymakers, business leaders and community organisations attended the event.

It saw 14 teams from around the world pitch their ideas for the future of health and social care on the Island.

The winners were selected from 125 applications, submitted from 25 countries, with judges assessing each entry on innovation and its potential to make a meaningful difference to the Isle of Man's health and social care system.

In the Working Smarter category, the award went to Concentric Health for its AI-powered digital consent platform designed to help clinicians and patients make informed healthcare decisions using personalised information.

The Wellness category was won by BeatModules, a digital wellbeing and education platform aimed at helping young people develop healthier habits through interactive learning and behavioural simulations.

The Home First award went to Plainstep Ltd, whose technology helps healthcare providers fill unused outpatient appointments by automating waiting list management and reducing missed appointments.

Meanwhile, the Biosphere Award was won by The Wellbeing Doctors and helfy® for a digital health platform that combines clinical diagnostics, lifestyle medicine and AI to help prevent chronic disease and improve long-term health outcomes.

Now in its fourth year the Innovation Challenge is led by Digital Isle of Man and for 2026 was delivered in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, Manx Care and Public Health Isle of Man.

Throughout the 10-week programme finalists worked directly with clinicians, policymakers and community organisations to refine their ideas and explore how they could be implemented over here.

Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian said: "Health and social care systems across the world are facing significant challenges but they are also facing unprecedented opportunities for innovation and we want to harness this on the Island.

“Throughout this challenge we have seen inspiring ideas, talented founders and practical solutions that have the potential to improve outcomes for patients, support healthcare professionals and strengthen services.

“The Innovation Challenge has demonstrated the value of bringing global ideas and expertise together with local challenges and priorities and we look forward to continuing conversations with the winners as we explore how innovation can help shape the future of health and social care in the Isle of Man.”

The winning companies will now receive six months of continued support from the ‘Island's innovation ecosystem’ including access to mentors, investors, regulators and government representatives as they explore future partnerships and pilot schemes.