Challenger

Challenger connects ideas with real-world impact

From April to September 2025, we’re recruiting participants for an 8-week hybrid program focused on healthcare innovation. The program kicks off in October and is open to anyone interested in improving healthcare services, technologies, and systems.

In collaboration with EIT Health, Roche, CTU, KNL a DEX Innovation Centre, participants will work in teams on real-life challenges, attend expert-led workshops, receive feedback from mentors, and pitch their solutions at the final event in November in Prague.

Applications are open on a rolling basis until September. If you're passionate about healthcare innovation, let us know in time!

Curious how it works?

The program is free and open to students, graduates, and innovators from various fields. It’s held in Czech, but international participants are welcome to join as well.

You can either join a pre-defined challenge or work on your own idea—if it fits the theme. The time commitment includes one in-person event in October and one in November, five online workshops, and about 4–6 hours of teamwork per week. Can’t make it to everything? No worries, all content will be available online afterwards.

Capacity is limited. The second round of applications closes on August 30, 2025.

Signing up takes just a minute. Check out our Q&A section for answers to the most important questions.

What’s in store?

✅ Kick-off in Prague – 2nd week of October 2025
✅ 5 workshops – from design thinking to prototyping
✅ Online teamwork with mentor support
✅ Final DEMO DAY – November 2025, in-person event in Prague

Why join?

✅ Hands-on skills for healthcare innovation
✅ Opportunity to collaborate with experts from Roche and CTU
✅ EIT Health certificate
✅ €4,000 prize for the top 3 teams

Challenge accepted? Choose yours:

What is Challenger?

Challenger is an 8-week hybrid program running from October to November 2025, designed for students, graduates, innovators, and startup founders who want to advance healthcare with their own ideas.

Each team consists of 5 members, emphasizing multidisciplinary skills — together covering the diverse expertise needed to successfully tackle the challenge. Participants can form teams in advance or join one at the start of the program.

Participants work on one of the prepared challenges. Personal ideas can be used if they relate to the challenge topic.

The program offers work on real healthcare challenges, valuable experience, networking opportunities, and a €4,000 reward for the best teams.

Where: Online + offline events in Prague (October and November)

The second application round closes on August 30, 2025!

How do we form a team? What is your role? Why does it matter?

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 How do we form a team?
Each team will have 5 members to cover all necessary roles. You can form your team before the event with friends. If you come alone or as a pair, no worries — we’ll help you complete your team on-site.

What is your role?
Every team needs ideas (Hipster), implementation (Hacker), and the drive to make things happen (Hustler). You don’t need to be an expert — what matters is knowing your strengths and what you enjoy. Whether you’re a creative soul, a technical talent, or the team motivator, there’s a place for you in the team.

Why does it matter?
Success relies on collaboration of diverse talents. It doesn’t matter what you study or what experience you have — everyone brings something unique to the team. And that is often the key to innovation’s success.

1
💡 Hipster – The Creative and Experience Designer
Has a sense for appearance, style, and the overall impression of the product.
Thinks about how the project will impact people — from visual design to user experience.
Keeps up with trends and brings originality and appeal to the team.
➡️ Typical Hipster question: “How can we make this beautiful, clear, and fun?”
2
🔧 Hacker – The Technician and Problem Solver
Loves technology, logic, and finding smart solutions.
Can code, build prototypes, analyze data, or simply "make things work."
A key team member who turns ideas into functional reality.
➡️ Typical Hacker question: “How can we make this actually work?”
3
💼 Hustler – The Driver and Communicator
Can motivate the team, connect with others, and pitch ideas.
Has business savvy and can spot opportunities.
Is not afraid to go out, talk to people, and find partners or customers.
➡️ Typical Hustler question: “Who will we offer this to, and why will they want it?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply?
The program is open not only to students but also to graduates, startup founders, and innovators interested in healthcare and technology. The program is conducted in Czech but also welcomes international students.

Is there a fee to participate?
No, the entire program is free for participants.

Do I need my own idea to apply?
No, you can join one of the prepared challenges. If you have your own idea that fits the theme, you can work on it.

How much time will the program take?
Expect one offline meeting in October and November, five online workshops, and independent teamwork (about 4–6 hours per week, depending on your team’s arrangement).

Can I apply if I’m not studying a healthcare field?
Yes. The program is open to students from all fields — innovation often arises from interdisciplinary collaboration.

What if I miss a workshop or mentoring session?
No problem. Workshops will be recorded for you, and mentoring is done in teams — it’s enough if part of your team attends.

How many participants will be selected?
The program capacity is limited, so don’t hesitate to apply.

When is the application deadline?
Applications are open until September 30, 2025.

What do I get at the end of the program?
An EIT Health certificate, experience working on a real project, expert feedback — and possibly a financial reward if your team succeeds.

Want to know more? Contact the Challenger project manager:

Adam Červenka

Project manager

adam.cervenka@dex-ic.com

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Financed by

Challenger Partners

Supporting Partners

Supporting Partners

For a better idea, here’s a video from last year’s event:

Challenger