From idea to prototype in 30 hours: students participate in MedTech Sprint hackathon
Sometimes, solving healthcare challenges doesn’t require special experience or skills – all you need is determination and the ability to understand patients’ needs. This was demonstrated at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Research Week 2025 by students and innovation enthusiasts who participated in the MedTech Sprint hackathon organised by the RSU Innovation Center, STADA Latvia and EIT Health. Over the course of two days, the students created not only ideas but also real prototypes.
Two challenges, five solutions
The hackathon participants were introduced to two real healthcare challenges. The first – promoting patient adherence – invited teams to find ways to motivate patients to take their prescribed medications and attend health check-ups. The second challenge, on the other hand, sought ways to educate patients who have been prescribed biological therapy but still need consultations, for example when planning to grow their family or other medical procedures.
The teams, some of which first met at the beginning of the hackathon, participated in an idea workshop and then developed their business ideas together with the aim of solving one of the challenges set. According to hackathon mentor and STADA Latvia representative Jevgenija Dubro,
some teams spent the whole night developing their solution and two of the teams even managed to completely pivot their original idea overnight.
Despite the short deadlines and the complex topic, the participants did not give up and presented their ideas to the jury just 30 hours after the start of the hackathon.
During the hackathon, the teams also had the opportunity to learn the art of presentation (so called pitching), as well as consult with mentors – including investors, startup representatives, product design specialists and doctors – to improve their ideas and make sure that they are valuable to a wide range of patients.
Admiration from the jury and prizes for the best
Each of the teams had only three minutes to present or pitch their ideas to the jury, which consisted of Dins Šmits (RSU), Madara Paidere (STADA Latvia), Barbara Vízhányó-Fogden (EIT Health InnoStars, Hungary), Dr. Ilona Hartmane (physician, RSU) and Kristaps Zaļais (RSU Business Incubator B-Space). The authors of the best idea and the winners of the main prize – 700 EUR – were the team Thryve, whose idea was an interactive mobile application that promotes a healthy lifestyle and regular use of medications recommended by a doctor through gamification. Second place and a 300 EUR award for the development of the idea were awarded to the team Mind Me, which developed an electronic medication dispensing box for personal use and even prepared a 3D printed prototype of its product during the hackathon. Meanwhile, the Pillenials team with their solution “It’s okay” won a special award from the RSU Business Incubator B-Space – mentoring hours for the development of their idea as well as recognition for significant business potential.
