The time of open innovation has shifted towards more selective partnerships shaped by regulatory pressures. Between compliance, data access and internal risk management, large companies are redefining how and when they engage with early-stage assets. At the same time, start-ups face their own timelines and capital needs, often creating misaligned expectations. What collaboration models can truly work in this context and what can go wrong in partnerships? When does collaboration accelerate innovation and when is it not the right move for an early-stage company? Experts will lead an honest discussion on value creation, timing and the realities of big companies collaborating with start-ups today.

Hospitals are central actors in the initiation, development and validation of healthcare innovation. To drive patient-centered innovation, partnerships work both ways and are a non-negotiable element for value creation. Yet these do not happen organically. From clearly identified patient and clinical needs to early clinician involvement, those collaborations also imply structured interfaces and aligned expectations between start-ups, clinicians and hospital innovation units. How can hospital-industry partnerships be built and nurtured to ensure relevance, feasibility and adoption? Speakers will discuss the importance of such collaborations, practical models and the conditions needed to translate clinical insight into viable patient solutions.