Breakfast Breakthrough
HTRIC Annual event 2026
This year, the HTRIC Annual takes on a new shape. Introducing Breakfast Breakthroughs: a morning of fresh ideas, meaningful connections and good coffee.
Over breakfast, researchers, entrepreneurs, funding partners, and innovation experts will come together to tackle the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of healthcare innovation and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The morning is built around two rounds of focused roundtable discussions. Each table explores a different challenge or opportunity, from protecting your competitive advantage and building the right team to navigating regulations, securing funding and bringing innovations into everyday care.
Each table is hosted by an expert on the topic, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, share your challenges, and learn from their experience and that of the other participants at the table.
Please indicate your top three preferred topics for the roundtable discussions. We will use your preferences to create a balanced table distribution across the two rounds, so you will have the opportunity to join two different discussions.
Table Topics:
How can you protect your intellectual property and make the most of it? Explore ownership, IP strategy and how to turn intellectual property into value.
Expert of this topic: Jorn de Boer (Founded Groningen)
Discussion leader: TBA
How do you find, attract and retain the skilled people your healthtech innovation needs? Exchange experiences and explore strategies for building the right team.
Expert of this topic: Lieke Brons (Applied Sciences in Healthcare and Technology at DCTerra)
Discussion leader: TBA
What does it take to become ready for investment and connect with the right investors? Explore funding opportunities and how to position your innovation for the next step.
Expert of this topic: TBA
Discussion leader: Diete de Boer (Triade)
What regulatory and compliance requirements do you need to navigate to bring your healthtech innovation to market? Discuss MDR, clinical validation and practical challenges along the way.
Expert of this topic: TBA
Discussion leader: Peter Ketelaar (Life Cooperative)
Who can help you take your healthtech innovation further within the UMCG? Discover the right people, facilities and expertise, and learn how to find and connect with them.
Expert of this topic: TBA
Discussion leader: TBA
What regional funding and financing opportunities could help your innovation move forward? Explore where to look, who to connect with and how to navigate the funding landscape.
Expert of this topic: TBA
Discussion leader: Jeroen Rijnhart (NHL Stenden)
How can international markets, networks and partnerships help your healthtech business grow? Explore opportunities to expand your business, connections and impact beyond the Netherlands.
Expert of this topic: Gerard Lenstra (NOM)
Discussion leader: Lisan Assen (UMCG)
How do you validate your healthtech innovation beyond academia and expert centres? Explore how to test your innovation in real-world care settings and move towards broader patient impact.
Expert of this topic: Thijs Feenstra (Pezy)
Discussion leader: TBA
Programme outline:
- 8:30h walk-in with coffee and croissants
- 9:00h plenary opening
- 9:40h table discussion 1 (including breakfast)
- 10:20h break
- 10:35h table discussion 2
- 11:15h plenary closing
- 11:30h Networking and early lunch
