Winners of the Isle of Man’s 2026 Innovation Challenge unveiled

Winners of the Isle of Man’s 2026 Innovation Challenge unveiled
Claire Christian MHK, The Isle of Man's Minister for Health and Social Care (Credit: Digital Isle of Man)
  • Four health and care innovators have been recognised in the Isle of Man's 2026 Innovation Challenge
  • The winners were selected from 15 finalists after 125 entries from 25 countries
  • The finalists included clinical support tools, preventative health technologies, and digital care platforms

Four companies developing health and social care solutions have been crowned winners of the Isle of Man’s 2026 Innovation Challenge.

The global programme is designed to connect innovators with real-world healthcare challenges and accelerate the adoption of new technologies. The winners were selected from 15 finalists, chosen from 125 entries representing 25 countries.

Claire Christian MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care, said: “Health and social care systems across the world are facing significant challenges, but they are also facing unprecedented opportunities for innovation.

“Throughout this challenge we have seen inspiring ideas, talented founders, and practical solutions that have the potential to improve outcomes for patients, support healthcare professionals and strengthen services.

“We look forward to continuing conversations with the winners and exploring how innovation can help shape the future of health and social care both on the Isle of Man and beyond.”

The challenge brought together innovators, clinicians, policymakers, public health leaders and community stakeholders to explore how technology, data and new approaches could help address some of the most pressing challenges facing health and care systems around the world.

The three Innovation Challenge winners were:

  • Concentric Health, an AI-powered digital consent and shared decision-making platform.
  • BeatModules, a digital wellbeing and education platform that uses interactive learning, AI-supported behavioural simulations and peer-led content to help young people build healthier habits.
  • Plainstep, a digital platform that helps healthcare providers recover unused outpatient appointments by automating waiting list management.

An additional Biosphere Award was presented to The Wellbeing Doctors / helfy, a doctor-led digital health platform that uses clinical diagnostics, personalised lifestyle medicine and AI to help prevent chronic disease, improve long-term health outcomes, and empower people to take control of their wellbeing. This award reflects the Isle of Man’s whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere status.

Lyle Wraxall, chief executive of Digital Isle of Man, said: “The Innovation Challenge demonstrates what can happen when innovation is connected to access. Access to expertise, access to decision-makers and access to real-world environments where ideas can be tested and refined.

ā€œThe calibre of companies attracted to this year’s programme reflects the growing international reputation of the Isle of Man as a place where innovators can engage directly with decision-makers, access expertise and move from concept to practical application.

“What makes the Isle of Man unique is our ability to bring together innovators, clinicians, policymakers and regulators in a way that allows ideas to be explored, challenged and progressed quickly.

ā€œFor many finalists, the greatest value of the Challenge extends beyond the awards themselves. It lies in the relationships built throughout the programme and the opportunities those relationships create.ā€

The Innovation Challenge is part of an Isle of Man government initiative aimed at supporting the development, testing and adoption of new technologies.

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