Zorg & ict beurs 2026
The Dutch Heart of Health Expo – formerly known as Dutch Health Week – is the beating heart of healthcare and health in the Netherlands during March and April. As the Heart of Health, Utrecht is the ideal location for this. At the same time, the Dutch Heart of Health Expo increases national and international visibility as a region where health and a healthy living environment are central. ROM Utrecht Region has a program during this period on April 14, 15, and 16, during the Zorg & ict trade fair.
The Dutch Heart of Health Expo – formerly Dutch Health Week – is the beating heart of care and health in the Netherlands in March and April. As the Heart of Health, Utrecht is the ideal location for this. At the same time, the Dutch Heart of Health Expo increases national and international visibility as a region where health and a healthy living environment take center stage. ROM Utrecht Region has a program during this period on April 14, 15, and 16, at the Zorg & ict fair.
Come to the Healthcare Innovation Startup Square!
On April 14, 15, and 16, 2026, you are cordially invited to the Healthcare Innovation Startup Square at the Zorg & ict fair between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Engage in conversation with sixteen different innovative start-ups and meet our business developers and investors.
Startups and scale-ups play a crucial role in innovation within our sector. Precisely because of this important role, they deserve a prominent place during Dutch Health Week. Because it is true, we say it: our region excels in startups and scale-ups in the fields of life sciences and health. They deserve a stage: that is the Healthcare Innovation Startup Square!
At the Healthcare Innovation Startup Square, sixteen of the most innovative startups and scale-ups are presenting their innovations. All the entrepreneurs at our square are eager to tell their story, but are also curious about your questions. Curious what these companies can do for your organization? Come by, meet them, and get inspired!
We are organizing the Healthcare Innovation Startup Square this year in collaboration with Zorginnovatie.nl .
These Utrecht healthcare innovations are present:
- Linksight makes it possible to analyze data together securely and in a privacy-friendly way without sharing sensitive data.
- HoloMoves develops software modules for Mixed Reality glasses that support patients with physiotherapy movements and rehabilitation.
- The Digital Healthcare Helpdesk Foundation helps users get started with digital healthcare applications easily and accessibly.
- ProxCare helps healthcare organizations improve and implement hybrid (digital and physical) care.
- Achelois.ai is developing a conversational AI tool that guides clients after referral via digital intake and queue support.
- Cordys Analytics develops AI software that detects subtle abnormalities in ECGs and supports doctors in diagnosis and prevention.
- Lifechaingers is developing Bobbai, an AI speech app that helps people with speech problems communicate again.
- Amulet develops e-health apps that improve communication in healthcare and support independent living at home.
Program
Various theater sessions and networking opportunities will be organized during Zorg & ict.
Tuesday, April 14 | 10:00 – 10:30 | Theater 6
During this session, we will take you through the Life Sciences & Health ecosystem of the Utrecht region in three short presentations. In each ten-minute presentation, we will show how data, innovation, and entrepreneurship come together in one of the most dynamic health regions in the Netherlands.
- ROM Utrecht Region presents the new factsheet of the Life Sciences & Health ecosystem , which provides insight into the size, dynamics, and development of the region based on data.
- The potential of mixed reality in disability care: HoloMoves demonstrates how mixed reality can help people with disabilities move more and more independently throughout the day. Based on a pilot at Siza, CEO Joep Janssen shares insights into the potential of motivating mixed reality games in disability care.
- Collaboration in the Utrecht region on an ecosystem for innovation in healthcare & welfare: Kevin Jacobs and Ilse Schoormans share how 15 partners within the Healthcare Innovation Ecosystem Utrecht are collaborating to accelerate healthcare innovations, what insights this has yielded, and how the next phase focuses on implementation, sustainable funding, and expansion of the ecosystem.
Wednesday, April 15 – Morning
Health Annual Breakfast 2026
On Wednesday, April 15, a special edition of our networking breakfast will take place: the Health Annual Breakfast 2026. During Dutch Health Week and amidst the energy of Zorg & ICT, we are bringing together the regional health innovation network for the premier annual event in the U-Forward Health Breakfast series.
This year, AI in healthcare takes center stage. The technology is developing rapidly, but what does that mean in practice? What already works, where do the opportunities lie, and what does this require of organizations and healthcare professionals?
We will discuss this during a panel discussion with, among others:
- Nicky Hekster , Program Manager Health & Care at the AI Coalition 4 Netherlands | AIC4NL and Executive Professor at TIAS School for Business and Society.
- Carl Moons , coordinator of the Health AI Labs at UMC Utrecht.
- Sofie van der Meulen , senior legal advisor at the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (health and data law, including regarding the AI Act and privacy legislation).
Afterwards, just like last year, we will join the exhibition floor with a brief exploration of regional entrepreneurs at the startup square.
Wednesday, April 15 – Afternoon
Presentation of the National Healthcare Innovation Prize 2026
One of the highlights at our startup square will undoubtedly be the presentation of the National Healthcare Innovation Award 2026! All regional winners are already listed at the Healthcare Innovation Startup Square, but who will win the jury and the public award?
Zorginnovatie.nl aims to accelerate innovation in healthcare and welfare. Companies that have already developed, tested, and launched their innovation can often use a helping hand to make their enterprise a real success. Therefore, Zorginnovatie.nl annually presents the National Healthcare Innovation Award; a prize specifically for the most innovative company in the scaling-up phase.
Thursday, April 16 | 10:00 – 10:30 AM | Theater 6
Innovating in healthcare with data and AI (Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and UMC Utrecht)
In the Utrecht region, we are working on innovations in healthcare through collaboration between research and practice with, among others, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and UMC Utrecht, and via the new platform AI Utrecht Region.
Register
We look forward to welcoming you to Zorg&ict 2026! You can register here .
You register for access to the event at Jaarbeurs and the online community within the Zorg& event platform. In the platform, you will find, among other things, your personal badge. With your badge, you can easily share your registered details live during the event and online with exhibitors or session providers from whom you wish to receive information. Within the platform, you can easily create a customized program, request information, and schedule appointments with exhibitors or peers.