Introduction

The King Faisal and Davos of Healthcare™ Innovation Challenge, hosted by the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), Cure, and C³ International, is a unique competition to identify groundbreaking technological solutions in eight (8) distinct healthcare areas that align with the KFSHRC Centres of Excellence.

The Challenge is open to startups and entrepreneurs with MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) and aims to accelerate the growth and development of innovative healthcare solutions and bring new products to the market.

Finalists will have an opportunity to present to an international audience and gain visibility at the C³ Davos of Healthcare™ Summit in New York City on September 8th, 2025. The Challenge winner will receive an invaluable opportunity to potentially secure a proof-of-concept with KFSHRC in Saudi Arabia.

KFSHRC is among the world's leading institutions in specialized healthcare, a pioneer in medical innovation, and an advanced centre for research and education. Committed to advancing medical technologies and elevating healthcare standards worldwide, it collaborates with prominent local, regional, and international institutions to deliver world-class clinical, research, and educational excellence.

Event Details

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Cure, and C³ International are partnering to host a healthcare pitch day competition at the C³ Davos of Healthcare Summit, followed by the Award Program and Networking Reception at Cure in New York City on Monday, September 8, 2025.

• • A total of 7 finalists will present their Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• • 7-8 minutes presentation, followed by 2-3 min Q&A
• • To keep on schedule, a time keeper will monitor each presentation
• • At the conclusion of all 7 presentations, a panel of 5 judges will determine the winner
• • The winner will receive, as noted below, a commercialization contract from KFSHRC
• • Judges will determine the winning presentation based on the below scoring model.
• • Event duration: approximately 100 minutes (2:30pm-4:15pm)

For each presentation, the seven selected startups will pitch live in front of an esteemed panel of 5 judges. The winning startup for the KFSHRC pitch session will receive an invaluable opportunity to potentially secure a proof-of-concept with KFSHRC in Saudi Arabia.

Participation in the pilot program may require the winning startup to travel to Saudi Arabia to support implementation.

Startup Eligibility Criteria

To apply, startups must meet the following criteria:

• • Align with one of King Faisal's Eight Centres of Excellence (see below)
• • Have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready for deployment
• • Be capable and willing to launch a pilot with King Faisal Specialist Hospital
• • Be willing to travel to Saudi Arabia to support implementation
• • Raised less than $20M since inception
• • Fewer than 50 full-time employees
• • Company formed within the last 5 years

King Faisal's Eight Centres of Excellence