Pöördumine

0 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

BRIDGING GAPS FOR SMART HEALTH:

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS IN EUROPE

Policy Brief

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s)

only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Authors: Dr. Alena Bubeck, Leonie Fath

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum

Published: 02 September 2025

1 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

DISCLAIMER Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the

author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the

European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor

the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

2 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

Table of contents

1. Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 3

2. Context of the issue ...................................................................................................................... 5

3. Policy Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 6

4. Evidence and Analysis ................................................................................................................... 8

Central Macedonia (Greece) ................................................................................................... 8

Northern Portugal (Portugal) .................................................................................................. 8

Baden-Württemberg (Germany) ............................................................................................ 9

5. Sources ........................................................................................................................................... 9

6. Contact ............................................................................................................................................ 9

List of Figures

Figure 1. Infographic .............................................................................................................................. 4

Figure 2. Key challenges and barriers regional smart health ecosystems face. ............................ 5

3 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

1. Summary

Smart health ecosystems are vital to Europe’s digital health transition, driving innovation

that improves patient care, system efficiency, and competitiveness. Yet regional

ecosystems face common challenges, including funding gaps, regulatory hurdles, and

fragmented infrastructures.

This policy brief draws on insights from three workshops carried out by SHIFT-HUB, an EU-

funded project, in regional smart health ecosystems: Central Macedonia

(Greece)1,Northern Portugal (Portugal)2, and Baden-Württemberg (Germany)3, covering

three distinct and representative parts of Europe, namely Eastern, Western and Northern.

The policy brief compares regional strengths and needs, and provides evidence-based

recommendations to guide more targeted and effective policymaking at regional, national,

and EU level facilitating smart health innovations.

Highlights

➢ All three regions show promising smart health ecosystems, but yet face persistent

funding and regulatory hurdles.

➢ Funding gaps at various stages, especially for clinical trials and validation phases, limit

the ability of start-ups to scale successfully.

➢ Networking opportunities and cross-sector collaboration remain uneven, with calls

for stronger investor education and government facilitation.

➢ Data infrastructure and interoperability are missing links for innovation, particularly

in Baden-Württemberg and Central Macedonia.

➢ Internationalisation and visibility vary: Baden-Württemberg is well-connected but

under-promoted, while Northern Portugal and Central Macedonia seek stronger

integration into global ecosystems.

4 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not

necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the

European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

Figure 1. Infographic

5 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

2. Context of the issue

Smart health ecosystems represent a crucial building block in Europe’s ambition to

modernise healthcare, strengthen resilience, and foster sustainable growth. They

encompass digital health solutions, connected medical devices, artificial intelligence (AI) in

diagnostics and treatment, data-driven research, and patient-centric services. These

innovations can transform healthcare delivery by improving accessibility, efficiency, and

personalisation of care while simultaneously stimulating Europe’s competitiveness in

health technologies.

The European Union has made digital health transformation a central policy priority. The

EU’s Digital Health Strategy4 and the planned European Health Data Space (EHDS)5 aim to

unlock the value of health data, enable secure cross-border data flows, and empower

citizens with greater control over their health information. The EHDS

particularly will provide the regulatory and infrastructural framework

to foster interoperability of health data, creating new opportunities for

AI-driven applications and evidence-based healthcare policy.

Smart health ecosystems at regional level are key to realising these

ambitions, yet they face structural barriers. These barriers represent

key challenges that have been identified based on a workshop series

carried out within the scope of SHIFT-HUB, an project funded by the European Union, in

three regional European smart health ecosystems:

Figure 2. Key challenges and barriers regional smart health ecosystems face.

At the same time, these challenges open up opportunities for European alignment. By

strengthening regional ecosystems and connecting them more effectively across borders,

the EU can accelerate the translation of research into market-ready solutions, enhance

citizen trust in digital health, and ensure that European innovators can compete globally.

6 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

This policy brief contributes to the broader EU health and digital agenda by providing

evidence from three regional workshops (Central Macedonia1, Northern Portugal2, and

Baden-Württemberg3), identifying gaps, and offering recommendations on how to design

more targeted, needs-oriented policies that enable smart health ecosystems to thrive.

3. Policy Recommendations

Based on the insights gathered from the three SHIFT-HUB regional workshops in Central

Macedonia1, Northern Portugal2, and Baden-Württemberg3, the following recommendations

aim to address the identified challenges and support the development of stronger, more

interconnected smart health ecosystems across Europe. Structured around key objectives and

actions, they address the most pressing barriers—funding gaps, regulatory hurdles, data

infrastructure, networking, and visibility—while creating feasible, evidence-based pathways for

policymakers and stakeholders.

1. Objective: Close the funding gap for clinical validation and early-stage growth

Action: Establish targeted EU and regional instruments to finance critical validation

stages (clinical trials, regulatory approval, and market pilots). Use blended finance

combining grants with equity schemes to de-risk private investment.

Evidence: All three regions reported severe funding shortages, especially in early

validation and clinical trials. In Northern Portugal, start-ups highlighted the difficulty of

financing clinical trials, while Baden-Württemberg stakeholders identified the “vicious

cycle” between funding and regulatory compliance.

Impact: Greater access to validation funding will accelerate time-to-market for health

innovations, strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, and improve patient access to

digital health solutions.

Ethical dimension: Enables smaller start-ups and university spin-offs to bring patient-

oriented solutions to market, increasing equity of access to innovation.

2. Objective: Develop interoperable health data infrastructures

Action: Support the creation of regional and cross-border health data platforms

aligned with the European Health Data Space (EHDS), including clear guidelines for

SMEs and start-ups on secure access to anonymised datasets.

Evidence: Both Baden-Württemberg and Central Macedonia highlighted missing or

fragmented data infrastructures as a barrier to AI-driven solutions.

Impact: Interoperable infrastructures will facilitate cross-border research and enhance

Europe’s capacity to deliver personalised healthcare.

Ethical dimension: Governance frameworks must ensure GDPR compliance,

transparency, and trust to guarantee fair and safe use of health data.

7 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

3. Objective: Promote investor education and incentivise long-term engagement

Action: Develop EU-supported training programmes and risk-assessment tools for

investors in the health sector. Complement these with tax incentives or co-investment

schemes to stimulate private capital.

Evidence: Central Macedonia stakeholders stressed the lack of informed pre-seed

investors, while Northern Portugal pointed to over-reliance on grants.

Impact: Improved investor literacy and incentives will diversify financing, reduce

reliance on public funds, and strengthen sustainability.

Ethical dimension: Reduces information asymmetries and broadens access to capital

for innovators across regions.

4. Objective: Strengthen networking, mentoring, and cross-sector collaboration

Action: Create structured mentoring schemes and pan-European networks linking

researchers, start-ups, hospitals, and investors. Expand accelerator models, such as

LinkHealth@BW, into cross-regional clusters.

Evidence: All regions identified weak networking as a barrier, especially Central

Macedonia, where stakeholders called for more government-facilitated matchmaking.

Impact: A stronger collaborative culture will accelerate knowledge transfer, improve

alignment between research and market needs, and reduce duplication.

Ethical dimension: Ensures inclusive ecosystems where emerging regions gain access

to networks often concentrated in metropolitan hubs.

5. Objective: Enhance visibility and internationalisation of regional ecosystems

Action: Support regional branding strategies and EU-level campaigns showcasing

success stories. Create dedicated programmes for cross-border collaboration with

international ecosystems.

Evidence: Baden-Württemberg was recognised as strong but under-promoted;

Northern Portugal emphasised the need for internationalisation to retain

entrepreneurs; Central Macedonia called for a unified Greek ecosystem to reach

“critical mass.”

Impact: Greater visibility will attract investment, talent, and partnerships, embedding

regional ecosystems in Europe’s and the global innovation landscape.

Ethical dimension: Promotes a more balanced European innovation landscape,

reducing inequalities between high-profile and less visible regions.

8 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

4. Evidence and Analysis

The following section summarises the most relevant evidence gathered through the three

regional SHIFT-HUB Entrepreneurial Discovery workshops in Central Macedonia1, Northern

Portugal2, and Baden-Württemberg3. It presents key

findings from stakeholder discussions, expert insights,

and concrete examples that directly support the

proposed policy recommendations highlighting common

challenges and region-specific dynamics. The

methodology was based on a moderated, structured

panel discussion approach covering the three topics

(1) challenges/barriers/needs, (2) opportunities and

(3) comparison to other ecosystems. Answers and

discussions between regions were compared,

conclusions and recommendations formulated and revised by the panellists. For each

panel discussion, the panellists featured representatives of regional stakeholders across

the smart health ecosystem – including University/Research representatives supporting

Innovation or Technology Transfer, regional initiatives and Innovation Hubs, Venture

Capital organisations, Innovators and Entrepreneurs (Start-Ups, Solution Providers,

Technology Developers), regional Policymakers - enabling a comparative understanding of

barriers and enablers across different European contexts. Limitations remain, as the

workshops provide qualitative perspectives rather than comprehensive data, yet they offer

a robust and balanced reflection of ecosystem needs and opportunities.

Central Macedonia (Greece)1

Central Macedonia’s smart health ecosystem is in a maturing

phase, centred around Thessaloniki’s innovation zone and

the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Key challenges

include limited networking opportunities, lack of pre-seed

funding, weak government support, and insufficient critical

mass. Stakeholders called for a unified national ecosystem

and stronger European integration to enhance visibility and

investment attractiveness.

Northern Portugal (Portugal)2

Northern Portugal’s ecosystem is dynamic but still evolving. While strong in

research and early innovation, it struggles with gaps between early-stage and

late-stage funding, regulatory burdens, insufficient mentorship structures,

and actors operating in isolation. The ecosystem relies heavily on grants,

leading to sustainability challenges, and many entrepreneurs relocate abroad

due to lack of support. Internationalisation and reduction of fragmentation is

seen as crucial for attracting investment and building market-ready solutions.

9 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

Baden-Württemberg (Germany)3

Baden-Württemberg has a well-developed life sciences and smart health

ecosystem, with accelerators such as 4C, arise, and Life Science Accelerator

BW. The region benefits from strong networks and political support

facilitated by the well-connected state agency BIOPRO, but faces regulatory

complexity, early-stage funding gaps, and insufficient visibility. Also, data

infrastructure limitations hinder the scaling of AI-driven solutions.

Across all three regions, common issues include funding gaps in validation phases,

regulatory hurdles, and the need for better networking and collaboration structures.

Differences lie in maturity: Baden-Württemberg is well-established but under-promoted,

Portugal is research-strong but fragmented, and Central Macedonia is still building

foundational ecosystem structures.

5. Sources

1 Report SHIFT-HUB Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshop, Thessaloniki (Greece), 2024:

Exploring Central Macedonia’s Opportunities for Smart Health

2 Report SHIFT-HUB Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshop, Porto (Portugal), 2024: Exploring

Northern Portugal’s Opportunities for Smart Health

3 Report SHIFT-HUB Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshop, Stuttgart (Germany), 2025:

Exploring Baden-Württemberg’s Opportunities for Smart Health

4 Commission Communication 2018 (Year) 233: "COMMUNICATION FROM THE

COMMISSIONTO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC

AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on enabling the digital

transformation of health and care in the Digital Single Market; empowering citizens and

building a healthier society ". Document 52018DC0233

5 Commission Communication 2022 (Year) 196/2: “Communication from the Commission - A

European Health Data Space: harnessing the power of health data for people, patients and

innovation". Document 52022DC0196

6. Contact

SHIFT-HUB Coordination:

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (Steinbeis 2i GmbH)

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://shift-hub.eu/

10 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

POLICY BRIEF |

BRIDGING GAPS FOR SMART HEALTH:

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS IN EUROPE

POLICY BRIEF |

BRIDGING GAPS FOR SMART HEALTH:

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS IN EUROPE

Funded by the Europ an U ion. View and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s)

only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European U ion or the European Health and Digital

Exe utive Agency (HADEA). Neither the Eur pean Union nor t e granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Visit our website www.shift-hub.eu

Follow us on LinkedIn See more

0 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

BRIDGING GAPS FOR SMART HEALTH:

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS IN EUROPE

Policy Brief

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s)

only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Authors: Dr. Alena Bubeck, Leonie Fath

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum

Published: 02 September 2025

1 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

DISCLAIMER Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the

author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the

European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor

the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

2 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

Table of contents

1. Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 3

2. Context of the issue ...................................................................................................................... 5

3. Policy Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 6

4. Evidence and Analysis ................................................................................................................... 8

Central Macedonia (Greece) ................................................................................................... 8

Northern Portugal (Portugal) .................................................................................................. 8

Baden-Württemberg (Germany) ............................................................................................ 9

5. Sources ........................................................................................................................................... 9

6. Contact ............................................................................................................................................ 9

List of Figures

Figure 1. Infographic .............................................................................................................................. 4

Figure 2. Key challenges and barriers regional smart health ecosystems face. ............................ 5

3 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

1. Summary

Smart health ecosystems are vital to Europe’s digital health transition, driving innovation

that improves patient care, system efficiency, and competitiveness. Yet regional

ecosystems face common challenges, including funding gaps, regulatory hurdles, and

fragmented infrastructures.

This policy brief draws on insights from three workshops carried out by SHIFT-HUB, an EU-

funded project, in regional smart health ecosystems: Central Macedonia

(Greece)1,Northern Portugal (Portugal)2, and Baden-Württemberg (Germany)3, covering

three distinct and representative parts of Europe, namely Eastern, Western and Northern.

The policy brief compares regional strengths and needs, and provides evidence-based

recommendations to guide more targeted and effective policymaking at regional, national,

and EU level facilitating smart health innovations.

Highlights

➢ All three regions show promising smart health ecosystems, but yet face persistent

funding and regulatory hurdles.

➢ Funding gaps at various stages, especially for clinical trials and validation phases, limit

the ability of start-ups to scale successfully.

➢ Networking opportunities and cross-sector collaboration remain uneven, with calls

for stronger investor education and government facilitation.

➢ Data infrastructure and interoperability are missing links for innovation, particularly

in Baden-Württemberg and Central Macedonia.

➢ Internationalisation and visibility vary: Baden-Württemberg is well-connected but

under-promoted, while Northern Portugal and Central Macedonia seek stronger

integration into global ecosystems.

4 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not

necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the

European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

Figure 1. Infographic

5 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

2. Context of the issue

Smart health ecosystems represent a crucial building block in Europe’s ambition to

modernise healthcare, strengthen resilience, and foster sustainable growth. They

encompass digital health solutions, connected medical devices, artificial intelligence (AI) in

diagnostics and treatment, data-driven research, and patient-centric services. These

innovations can transform healthcare delivery by improving accessibility, efficiency, and

personalisation of care while simultaneously stimulating Europe’s competitiveness in

health technologies.

The European Union has made digital health transformation a central policy priority. The

EU’s Digital Health Strategy4 and the planned European Health Data Space (EHDS)5 aim to

unlock the value of health data, enable secure cross-border data flows, and empower

citizens with greater control over their health information. The EHDS

particularly will provide the regulatory and infrastructural framework

to foster interoperability of health data, creating new opportunities for

AI-driven applications and evidence-based healthcare policy.

Smart health ecosystems at regional level are key to realising these

ambitions, yet they face structural barriers. These barriers represent

key challenges that have been identified based on a workshop series

carried out within the scope of SHIFT-HUB, an project funded by the European Union, in

three regional European smart health ecosystems:

Figure 2. Key challenges and barriers regional smart health ecosystems face.

At the same time, these challenges open up opportunities for European alignment. By

strengthening regional ecosystems and connecting them more effectively across borders,

the EU can accelerate the translation of research into market-ready solutions, enhance

citizen trust in digital health, and ensure that European innovators can compete globally.

6 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

This policy brief contributes to the broader EU health and digital agenda by providing

evidence from three regional workshops (Central Macedonia1, Northern Portugal2, and

Baden-Württemberg3), identifying gaps, and offering recommendations on how to design

more targeted, needs-oriented policies that enable smart health ecosystems to thrive.

3. Policy Recommendations

Based on the insights gathered from the three SHIFT-HUB regional workshops in Central

Macedonia1, Northern Portugal2, and Baden-Württemberg3, the following recommendations

aim to address the identified challenges and support the development of stronger, more

interconnected smart health ecosystems across Europe. Structured around key objectives and

actions, they address the most pressing barriers—funding gaps, regulatory hurdles, data

infrastructure, networking, and visibility—while creating feasible, evidence-based pathways for

policymakers and stakeholders.

1. Objective: Close the funding gap for clinical validation and early-stage growth

Action: Establish targeted EU and regional instruments to finance critical validation

stages (clinical trials, regulatory approval, and market pilots). Use blended finance

combining grants with equity schemes to de-risk private investment.

Evidence: All three regions reported severe funding shortages, especially in early

validation and clinical trials. In Northern Portugal, start-ups highlighted the difficulty of

financing clinical trials, while Baden-Württemberg stakeholders identified the “vicious

cycle” between funding and regulatory compliance.

Impact: Greater access to validation funding will accelerate time-to-market for health

innovations, strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, and improve patient access to

digital health solutions.

Ethical dimension: Enables smaller start-ups and university spin-offs to bring patient-

oriented solutions to market, increasing equity of access to innovation.

2. Objective: Develop interoperable health data infrastructures

Action: Support the creation of regional and cross-border health data platforms

aligned with the European Health Data Space (EHDS), including clear guidelines for

SMEs and start-ups on secure access to anonymised datasets.

Evidence: Both Baden-Württemberg and Central Macedonia highlighted missing or

fragmented data infrastructures as a barrier to AI-driven solutions.

Impact: Interoperable infrastructures will facilitate cross-border research and enhance

Europe’s capacity to deliver personalised healthcare.

Ethical dimension: Governance frameworks must ensure GDPR compliance,

transparency, and trust to guarantee fair and safe use of health data.

7 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

3. Objective: Promote investor education and incentivise long-term engagement

Action: Develop EU-supported training programmes and risk-assessment tools for

investors in the health sector. Complement these with tax incentives or co-investment

schemes to stimulate private capital.

Evidence: Central Macedonia stakeholders stressed the lack of informed pre-seed

investors, while Northern Portugal pointed to over-reliance on grants.

Impact: Improved investor literacy and incentives will diversify financing, reduce

reliance on public funds, and strengthen sustainability.

Ethical dimension: Reduces information asymmetries and broadens access to capital

for innovators across regions.

4. Objective: Strengthen networking, mentoring, and cross-sector collaboration

Action: Create structured mentoring schemes and pan-European networks linking

researchers, start-ups, hospitals, and investors. Expand accelerator models, such as

LinkHealth@BW, into cross-regional clusters.

Evidence: All regions identified weak networking as a barrier, especially Central

Macedonia, where stakeholders called for more government-facilitated matchmaking.

Impact: A stronger collaborative culture will accelerate knowledge transfer, improve

alignment between research and market needs, and reduce duplication.

Ethical dimension: Ensures inclusive ecosystems where emerging regions gain access

to networks often concentrated in metropolitan hubs.

5. Objective: Enhance visibility and internationalisation of regional ecosystems

Action: Support regional branding strategies and EU-level campaigns showcasing

success stories. Create dedicated programmes for cross-border collaboration with

international ecosystems.

Evidence: Baden-Württemberg was recognised as strong but under-promoted;

Northern Portugal emphasised the need for internationalisation to retain

entrepreneurs; Central Macedonia called for a unified Greek ecosystem to reach

“critical mass.”

Impact: Greater visibility will attract investment, talent, and partnerships, embedding

regional ecosystems in Europe’s and the global innovation landscape.

Ethical dimension: Promotes a more balanced European innovation landscape,

reducing inequalities between high-profile and less visible regions.

8 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

4. Evidence and Analysis

The following section summarises the most relevant evidence gathered through the three

regional SHIFT-HUB Entrepreneurial Discovery workshops in Central Macedonia1, Northern

Portugal2, and Baden-Württemberg3. It presents key

findings from stakeholder discussions, expert insights,

and concrete examples that directly support the

proposed policy recommendations highlighting common

challenges and region-specific dynamics. The

methodology was based on a moderated, structured

panel discussion approach covering the three topics

(1) challenges/barriers/needs, (2) opportunities and

(3) comparison to other ecosystems. Answers and

discussions between regions were compared,

conclusions and recommendations formulated and revised by the panellists. For each

panel discussion, the panellists featured representatives of regional stakeholders across

the smart health ecosystem – including University/Research representatives supporting

Innovation or Technology Transfer, regional initiatives and Innovation Hubs, Venture

Capital organisations, Innovators and Entrepreneurs (Start-Ups, Solution Providers,

Technology Developers), regional Policymakers - enabling a comparative understanding of

barriers and enablers across different European contexts. Limitations remain, as the

workshops provide qualitative perspectives rather than comprehensive data, yet they offer

a robust and balanced reflection of ecosystem needs and opportunities.

Central Macedonia (Greece)1

Central Macedonia’s smart health ecosystem is in a maturing

phase, centred around Thessaloniki’s innovation zone and

the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Key challenges

include limited networking opportunities, lack of pre-seed

funding, weak government support, and insufficient critical

mass. Stakeholders called for a unified national ecosystem

and stronger European integration to enhance visibility and

investment attractiveness.

Northern Portugal (Portugal)2

Northern Portugal’s ecosystem is dynamic but still evolving. While strong in

research and early innovation, it struggles with gaps between early-stage and

late-stage funding, regulatory burdens, insufficient mentorship structures,

and actors operating in isolation. The ecosystem relies heavily on grants,

leading to sustainability challenges, and many entrepreneurs relocate abroad

due to lack of support. Internationalisation and reduction of fragmentation is

seen as crucial for attracting investment and building market-ready solutions.

9 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

Baden-Württemberg (Germany)3

Baden-Württemberg has a well-developed life sciences and smart health

ecosystem, with accelerators such as 4C, arise, and Life Science Accelerator

BW. The region benefits from strong networks and political support

facilitated by the well-connected state agency BIOPRO, but faces regulatory

complexity, early-stage funding gaps, and insufficient visibility. Also, data

infrastructure limitations hinder the scaling of AI-driven solutions.

Across all three regions, common issues include funding gaps in validation phases,

regulatory hurdles, and the need for better networking and collaboration structures.

Differences lie in maturity: Baden-Württemberg is well-established but under-promoted,

Portugal is research-strong but fragmented, and Central Macedonia is still building

foundational ecosystem structures.

5. Sources

1 Report SHIFT-HUB Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshop, Thessaloniki (Greece), 2024:

Exploring Central Macedonia’s Opportunities for Smart Health

2 Report SHIFT-HUB Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshop, Porto (Portugal), 2024: Exploring

Northern Portugal’s Opportunities for Smart Health

3 Report SHIFT-HUB Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshop, Stuttgart (Germany), 2025:

Exploring Baden-Württemberg’s Opportunities for Smart Health

4 Commission Communication 2018 (Year) 233: "COMMUNICATION FROM THE

COMMISSIONTO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC

AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on enabling the digital

transformation of health and care in the Digital Single Market; empowering citizens and

building a healthier society ". Document 52018DC0233

5 Commission Communication 2022 (Year) 196/2: “Communication from the Commission - A

European Health Data Space: harnessing the power of health data for people, patients and

innovation". Document 52022DC0196

6. Contact

SHIFT-HUB Coordination:

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (Steinbeis 2i GmbH)

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://shift-hub.eu/

10 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only

and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital

Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Policy Brief| Bridging Gaps

for Smart Health

POLICY BRIEF |

BRIDGING GAPS FOR SMART HEALTH:

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS IN EUROPE

POLICY BRIEF |

BRIDGING GAPS FOR SMART HEALTH:

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS IN EUROPE

Funded by the Europ an U ion. View and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s)

only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European U ion or the European Health and Digital

Exe utive Agency (HADEA). Neither the Eur pean Union nor t e granting authority can be held

responsible for them. Project: 101095720

Visit our website www.shift-hub.eu

Follow us on LinkedIn See more