How to apply
Change the game, improve lives, found your own company. It all starts here.
Each year Wild Card is calling all inventors, creators and self-starters – the very best to apply.
This year, we challenge you to find solutions that can address barriers to advancing eye and vision care and pain management. Teams and individuals applied with solutions already, game-changing ideas or simply with their unique expertise needed to create a transformative start-up.
APPLICATION
Before 16 March 2021
SELECTION
17-31 March 2021
INTERVIEW
April 2021
ADMISSION
10 May 2021
Application
Before 16 March 2021
The first step is filling in the online application form, which comprises a written submission and a three-minute video. You can apply as a small team (max. five people) with an idea, or an entrepreneur with a business idea or entrepreneur seeking business opportunity.*
A short video helps us to get to know you better. Use the three-minute video to pitch your idea and yourself. What makes you, or your solution a game-changer?
Selection
All submissions are evaluated after the deadline
Submissions will be reviewed by qualified, independent experts in the field who will assess your level of knowledge and skills in the challenge area and in case of proposals with the solution – its viability. Candidates shortlisted will be invited to the interview stage.
Interview
April 2021
If you make the shortlist, you will be invited for an online interview where we will be looking for the right mix of candidates who can bring the most promising ideas to life. Interviewees will find out if they have been successful by 10 May 2021.
The journey begins
June 2021
Participation in Wild Card programme will require commitment. Throughout subsequent stages of the programme, you will meet new people and will be trained and coached by multiple high-level experts. You should be able to dedicate:
- up to 8 days in Deep Dive stage (June-July 2021)
- up to 4 days plus approx. 10h/week in Business Model Validation (September-October 2021)
EIT Health expects that founders selected for investment will dedicate their full working capacity to the development of the start-up as of January 2022.
* Please note: Applicants must hold a European Union citizenship (EU Member State, their outermost regions, overseas countries or territories linked to the Member States) or be residents of the EU Member State. The working language of EIT Health is English, therefore applicants shall possess full professional English language proficiency.
“The Wild Card Programme is a call to action for Europe’s innovators and we are looking for the brightest minds to help solve some of our most pressing health challenges. Our hope is that we are really on our way to find the next breakthroughs in medical sciences.”
Jorge Fernández García, EIT Health Director of Innovation