The second Health Technology Idea Sprint took place on March 13–14, 2026 in Gróska, where entrepreneurs, students and professionals from different disciplines came together to tackle real challenges from the Icelandic healthcare system. The turnout was very good and there was a dynamic and positive atmosphere throughout the weekend as they worked purposefully to develop solutions that can improve service, accessibility and people's experience in healthcare.
During the two-day sprint, participants worked in multidisciplinary teams on challenges from sponsors Landspítali, the Ministry of Health, Digital Iceland, and in an open category:
- Landspítali: How can it be made easier for older people, family members and professionals to find, apply for and coordinate the services they need when the need for services increases?
- Ministry of Health: How can we leverage data, technology, and new approaches to improve appointment scheduling with a focus on assessment and prioritization of services for the public?
- Digital Iceland: A user solution to support individuals in defined treatment so that they can be active participants in their treatment and have easy access to appropriate help.
- Open Category: Creative and progressive health technology solutions that improve the accessibility, efficiency, and quality of healthcare for all.
A variety of solutions emerged from the ideation sprint, and many ambitious proposals for new health technology projects emerged. In the end, five strong teams were assembled and presented their ideas to a jury, which emphasized user-centered approach, feasibility, and potential social impact.
The winning idea this year was HILDA. HILDA is a digital solution that helps parents prepare for a doctor's appointment by mapping their child's problems and answering key questions in advance - thus making the most of the doctor's visit, promoting more targeted communication and better follow-up. The jury believed that HILDA clearly demonstrates how a simple, well-implemented solution can have a real impact on families' experience of healthcare.
Other teams also presented interesting solutions that, among other things, focused on:
– make it easier for people to find the right health and social services at home,
– support proactive health care for older people with new approaches and artificial intelligence,
– improve communication and coordination between professionals providing services in homes,
– and utilize digital solutions to make processes more efficient and transparent for users and staff.
Participants received guidance from innovation and health technology experts throughout the weekend, worked to hone the value creation of their ideas, and finally presented the results to a jury and guests. The idea sprint also created a strong platform for networking between entrepreneurs, professionals, and key players in the health innovation ecosystem.
The Health Tech Idea Sprint is part of KLAK Health and supports KLAK's goals of promoting innovation in health tech in Iceland, accelerating the implementation of solutions into the healthcare system, and increasing collaboration between startups, institutions, and governments. The projects that emerge from the Sprint will receive ongoing support for the next steps in development, with the guiding principle that good ideas can be used to improve and make healthcare accessible to all.
