IHH launches North Asia Catalyst via Hong Kong, Shanghai

Startups can test solutions in hospitals across Hong Kong and Mainland China.

IHH Healthcare has expanded its healthcare innovation programme into North Asia, giving startups in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and neighbouring markets access to live hospital environments to test and develop solutions for clinical use.

The healthcare provider said in a statement that the programme, IHH Catalyst | North Asia Edition, is anchored by IHH subsidiaries Gleneagles Hong Kong and Parkway Shanghai, and follows the launch of the IHH Catalyst | Fortis India Edition in February 2026.

The three-month hybrid programme will target early-growth to enterprise-ready companies with solutions that are ready for pilots, proof-of-concepts, and deployment within hospital systems.

Participating startups will receive mentorship from IHH, Gleneagles Hong Kong, and Parkway Shanghai leaders, clinicians, and functional experts.

They will also have opportunities to pilot and validate solutions in live hospital environments, with support for regulatory readiness, data protection, cybersecurity, and interoperability.

The programme will also offer startups potential routes to long-term partnerships, scale-up, and investment.

“Healthcare challenges are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected, making collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and markets more important than ever,” said Kenneth Tsang, Regional CEO of IHH Healthcare North Asia and CEO of Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong.

Tsang added that the programme will give startups access to clinical expertise and hospital infrastructure to support implementation and accelerate adoption.

The programme will focus on five areas: personalised care, integrated and coordinated care, precision medicine and cancer care, patient journeys, and healthcare workforce.

IHH said the programme aims to connect healthcare startups with multidisciplinary teams across its networks in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to support collaboration in care settings.

The programme is supported by Plug and Play as its programme partner, drawing on its innovation network and startup expertise to identify and support promising healthcare startups.

Applications opened on 27 July, with the selected cohort due to be announced on 11 September. The programme will culminate in a Demo Day in Hong Kong on 26 January 2027.

Ashok Pandit, Group Chief Corporate Officer at IHH Healthcare, said the company sees demand for solutions that extend care beyond hospitals, improve care coordination, strengthen patient journeys, and support healthcare professionals.

“Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland are home to vibrant healthcare and technology communities, with growing strengths in personalised care, precision medicine, cancer care, and digitally-enabled care delivery,” Pandit said.