IIHMR Startups: Powering Healthcare Innovation Through Incubation, Mentorship, and Impact
Healthcare innovation needs more than good ideas. It needs the right ecosystem, the right guidance, and the right partnerships. IIHMR Startups was created with exactly that purpose — to help healthcare startups grow with clarity, credibility, and real-world relevance.
As the incubation and innovation arm of IIHMR Foundation, IIHMR Startups supports founders working across health-tech, digital health, med-tech, diagnostics, public health, and allied sectors. Based in Jaipur, it brings together academic strength, industry insight, and startup execution under one roof.
What Is IIHMR Startups?
IIHMR Startups is a healthcare-focused startup incubator designed to support early-stage and growth-stage ventures solving real problems in healthcare delivery, access, affordability, and outcomes.
Unlike generic incubators, IIHMR Startups is deeply rooted in the healthcare ecosystem. Its programs are built around real system needs, regulatory understanding, hospital workflows, public health priorities, and scalable business models.
Key focus areas include:
Digital Health & Health IT
Med-Tech & Medical Devices
AI, Deep-Tech, and Data-Driven Healthcare
Public Health & Population Health Solutions
Diagnostics, Preventive Care, and Wellness
Flagship Programs at IIHMR Startups
Saamarthya – Growth Incubation Program for Healthcare Startups
Saamarthya is the flagship incubation program at IIHMR Startups, designed for startups that are ready to move beyond the idea stage and build sustainable businesses.
The program typically runs for 4–6 months and supports founders through:
Domain-led mentorship from healthcare leaders
Business model refinement and validation
Go-to-market strategy and customer discovery
Investor readiness and pitch support
Connections to hospitals, industry partners, and public health institutions
Recent editions of Saamarthya have placed a strong emphasis on AI-enabled healthcare solutions, deep-tech innovations, and scalable digital platforms, reflecting where the future of healthcare is headed.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Events
IIHMR Startups actively builds community through high-impact events that bring together startups, students, mentors, policymakers, and industry leaders.
Healthathons & Innovation Challenges
Healthcare-focused hackathons and challenges that encourage rapid problem-solving, prototyping, and validation around real health system needs.
Utkarsh
A startup and investor engagement platform that enables networking, pitching, and collaboration between founders and ecosystem stakeholders.
Workshops & Entrepreneurship Basecamps
Hands-on learning programs focused on innovation thinking, intrapreneurship, and startup fundamentals, often conducted with academic institutions and healthcare organizations.
Beyond Programs: What Startups Actually Get
Startups incubated at IIHMR Startups gain access to more than just training sessions.
Support includes:
Structured mentorship from healthcare, business, and policy experts
Access to pilot opportunities and validation environments
Guidance on compliance, ethics, and healthcare regulations
Support in fundraising preparation and investor connects
Co-working and institutional infrastructure support
This practical, ecosystem-driven approach helps founders avoid common mistakes and move faster with confidence.
Thought Leadership & Knowledge Sharing
IIHMR Startups also invests in storytelling and learning through initiatives like the Jigyasa podcast. Through candid conversations with experts, founders, and leaders, Jigyasa explores the ideas, challenges, and decisions shaping healthcare innovation in India..
Why IIHMR Startups Matters for Healthcare Innovation in India
Healthcare is complex. It sits at the intersection of technology, human behavior, regulation, and public systems. IIHMR Startups understands this complexity and designs its programs accordingly.
By combining:
Strong academic foundations
Real-world healthcare exposure
A growing startup and mentor network
Focus on impact and scalability
IIHMR Startups plays a critical role in shaping startups that are not just innovative, but also relevant, responsible, and ready for scale.