• Warm welcome
• Registration for the event
• Snacks & refreshments

With

• Andrea Kurz – Rector Medical University of Graz
• Heinz Mayer – Managing Director of JOANNEUM RESEARCH
• Christoph Ludwig – Managing Director of Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG)
• Karl Hartleb – Managing Director of Internationalisation Centre Styria (ICS)
• Lejla Pock –  Managing Director Human.technology Styria
• Martin Mössler – Managing Director Science Park Graz

Manfred Knye – Volkswagen AG

If you experience a cardiac emergency in your car, it will automatically activate its hazard lights, move you out of the danger zone, and autonomously drive you to the roadside before calling emergency medical services.

Is this still science fiction, or will it soon become a reality?

Experts today believe that Automotive Health, along with the collection and use of health data in vehicles, will become one of the most important business sectors for mobility-related products. Automotive Health is an emerging market, offering new opportunities and significant potential not only for the automotive industry but also for technology providers and stakeholders in the health sector. Monitoring health data within the car’s cockpit will not only enhance driver safety but also transform the car into a personal health partner, potentially evolving into a diagnostic laboratory of the future.

Manfred Knye coined the term “Automotive Health” and has extensively explored the topic in numerous well-known publications. In addition to being a practicing doctor, entrepreneur, and passionate race car driver, he is responsible for implementing Health, Exoskeletons, and Digitalization at Volkswagen AG, one of Europe’s leading car manufacturers.

With

• Manfred Knye – Volkswagen AG
• Daniel Strauss – Center for Digital Neurotechnology Saar (CDNS) 
• Silvia Russegger – Joanneum Research DIGITAL
• Anton Fuchs – Virtual Vehicle Research 
• Lars Kamolz  – Medical University of Graz

With Lucanus Polagnoli (Calm/Storm Ventures)

Health and wellbeing are being reshaped by unexpected forces – technologies and ideas emerging at the intersection of AI, hybrid care, and digital innovation. From tools that enhance clinical decisions to new models of patient support, surprising breakthroughs are changing how we access, experience, and think about healthcare.

In this talk, we’ll uncover five of the most unexpected and transformative trends in healthtech. Some challenge long-held industry norms, others push the boundaries of what’s considered “healthcare” at all. Whether it’s the rise of AI-driven assistants, the redefinition of patient-provider relationships, or new ways to address deeply personal health needs, these trends are shaping the future in ways we never saw coming.

Join us to explore what’s next for health and wellbeing – because the biggest game changers aren’t always where you expect them.

Four startups take to the stage to present their innovative solutions in a short pitch, explaining why their idea is a true game changer and how they could make a significant impact with the right resources.

The session will be moderated by Craig Matthews from Science Park Graz.

A distinguished jury, including

• Lucas Pflanzl Knizacek (KAGES Board Office – Strategy & Innovation),
• Lars Kamolz (Medical University of Graz),
• Lucanus Polagnoli (Calm/Storm Ventures)
• Aljaž Hölbl (University Medical Centre Maribor)

will assess the pitches based on overall impression, degree of innovation, market potential, customer value, and presentation quality. The jury will also provide initial feedback.

The winners will be announced in the second session.

With:

• Boryana Petrova (SurvOm)
• Manfred Taschner (LifeTaq)
• Thomas Lechner (Luminous Labs)
• Marko Gluhak (Mobilica)

With Tobija Glawogger, Bartelt

NanoEntek is the technology owner for lab-in-a-chip systems, possesses over 100 patents in the fields of POCT (point of care testing) and has been awarded with a Gold Seal of Quality for its Automated Cell Counters, in recognition of outstanding feedback received from scientists around the world.

Bartelt, as your local exclusive partner from NanoEntek, is pleased to introduce these high-quality products, which can make your daily laboratory work more efficient, cost effective and easier. Get to know the innovative products from NanoEntek like a Microfluidic Immunofluorescence Analyzer, High-Throughput Fluorescence Cell Counters, smart Live-Cell Imaging Systems and a lot more.

Bartelt is a regional laboratory supplier with more than 80 years of experience, specializing in high-quality service, customized solutions, and long-term partnerships. As a family-owned business, Bartelt is committed to reliability and customer satisfaction, offering comprehensive support for laboratory needs.

The company’s expertise covers a wide range of areas, including:
• Laboratory planning
• Laboratory equipment
• Chemicals
• Equipment service
• Laboratory software
• E-Commerce
• Life-Science

With a strong focus on quality and tailored solutions, Bartelt ensures that laboratories receive the support and resources they need.

with Aljaž Hölbl

Input on needs and digitalisation tools to enhance patient safety

With 

Gerald Sendlhofer – Med Uni Graz

With 

Maria Smolle – Med Uni Graz
Lucas Pflanzl-Knizacek – KAGES
Markus Gugatschka – Med Uni Graz
Andreas Diensthuber – Daphos
Gerald Sendlhofer – Univ. Hospital of Graz
Aljaž Hölbl – University Medical Centre Maribor

Moderation: Sophie Narath – Medical University of Graz

The jury will reveal their selected winner and present the award.

Additionally, the audience will have the opportunity to share their perspective through a live online vote, answering the question: If you had €100,000 to invest, who would you choose?

The session will once again be moderated by Craig Matthews from Science Park Graz.

We will conclude the first day of the conference at the evening event on the Murinsel, enjoying food and drinks.