WHX Tech to put digital health startups in the spotlight

The upcoming WHX Tech, kicking off this September at the Dubai World Trade Centre, won't be just another expo — it aims to be a power-packed matchmaking arena for startups, investors, and health industry heavyweights.
Backed by Informa — the same force behind WHX Dubai (formerly Arab Health) — and supported by the likes of MoHAP, DHA, and EHS, this three-day event is laser-focused on turning big ideas into real-world healthcare solutions.
Or as Solenne Singer of Informa puts it, "WHX Tech brings all the right people together... to shape the next era of digital health."
How will it work?
WHX Tech is built around smart programming that prioritizes what early-stage companies need most: capital, connections, and credibility. Here's how:
- Xcelerate Startup Competition: Think of it as the Olympics for digital health startups. Fifty companies with ready-to-go solutions will pitch on stage, battling it out in live rounds. The stakes? A $50,000 prize — no strings attached — and a golden ticket to next year's event via full sponsorship packages.
- Investor Programme: Not your average pitch fest. It's invite-only, designed to pair hand-picked startups with deep-pocketed investors, family offices, and corporate backers who actually get health tech — and are ready to write checks.
- Connections Programme: Less small talk, more deal talk. Curated networking with decision-makers, buyers, and strategic partners looking for solutions that stick.
The judges' bench is stacked with international firepower, including Jacopo Losso of EBAN, Noa Khamallah of Don't Quit Ventures, and Fadilah Tchoumba from the African Business Angel Network. "Startups are the lifeblood of digital health," said Informa's Mohamad Sabri. "This is about connecting them to the capital and mentorship they need to scale."
Why does it matter?
Because the healthcare system needs a reboot. And startups are the ones holding the right cables.
With pressures mounting — staffing shortages, fragmented systems, uneven access — startups are coming in hot with tools powered by AI, robotics, and wearables. They're not just experimenting; they're building solutions that work. As Singer points out, these founders "are transforming diagnostics, treatment, and patient outcomes."
What WHX Tech offers is a real shot at scale. That's rare. It's one thing to have a slick product, it's another to stand in front of investors who understand your space and are ready to partner.
Or as IDMEDICO's CEO Mohammed Galeeb put it: "Emerging startups often face barriers in scalability and adoption — this platform helps overcome them."
The context
WHX Tech lands at the intersection of surging investment in digital health and the UAE's growing ambition to be a global health tech hub. Over 5,000 healthcare leaders from 30+ countries are expected to join the show, alongside 300+ exhibitors and a lineup of 300 expert speakers.
And it's not just booths and buzzwords. The event unfolds across three stages, each with its own mission:
- World X: Real-world stories, frontline impact.
- Future X: A forward-facing look at what's next — from AI to quantum computing.
- Xcelerate: Where the rubber meets the road — startups, capital, and market-ready innovation.
In a space often bogged down by bureaucracy and barriers to entry, WHX Tech feels like a breath of fresh air. It's less about fanfare, more about fuel — for ideas that can actually change healthcare.
💡Did you know?
You can take your DHArab experience to the next level with our Premium Membership.👉 Click here to learn more
🛠️Featured tool
monday
Built for a new way of working, monday is a stunning project management tool that enables the whole team to collaborate, share updates, see the performance, comments, and more.
👉 Click here to learn more
