Health Innovation Euregion Event 2023: listening, learning and networking

Health Innovation Euregion Event 2023: listening, learning and networking

The collaborating organizers of Health Innovation Euregion 2023 see in daily practice still too often that (starting) entrepreneurs and scientists with promising inventions, beautiful ideals and ditto ambitions still drop out because they have trouble finding the right course. Innovate and do business is the motto, but how?

This article previously appeared on www.brightlands.com. Image: stock photo

What is the best route for your particular invention? Where do you find the right partners and agencies to help you take the next steps? Who do you approach for what? That's why they came up with Health Innovation Euregion, abbreviated to HIE. Strong assets of the Euregional event are the wide range of inspiring speakers - learning from each other - and the ample attention to networking. The first edition took place on June 27 at the MECC in Maastricht. Christian Bertens, CSO of PEYEONEER MedTech, was one of the speakers.

The story behind PEYEONEER

In addition to his position at PEYEONEER MedTech, Christian is also a business developer at Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus. In that role, he guides other researchers/entrepreneurs in bringing their invention and research to market. In his dual role, how did he experience the event? Christian: "The request from the organization was: tell our audience about your experiences from academic project to start-up. So during my presentation I gave an overview of how we worked under the banner of the Chemelot Institute for Science and Technology (InSciTe) on four different innovations for improving the outcomes of glaucoma filtration surgery. From one of the innovations, this start-up has emerged.'

Unique invention treatment glaucoma

The product marketed by PEYEONEER MedTech is a promising miniature glaucoma implant developed by Prof. Dr. Henny Beckers and Christian. The implant is unique in the world. The PEYEONEER team therefore hopes that the invention will be a breakthrough in treating the eye disease glaucoma and preventing blindness.

The most important tip?

Christian: "I now speak from experience: starting a business really involves a lot. There are also many different roads to Rome - to a business, that is - and the right road is different for everyone. The most important tip I can give is: don't give up too quickly. Even if it all goes slowly, even if it doesn't feel like an instant success: make use of your experiences and learn from them. Also talk to individuals who have embarked on a similar adventure, they provide valuable information.'