Open Innovation Challenge 2022

Can your idea change diabetes management forever?

THE CHALLENGE 2022 is closed.

join the CHALLENGE 2023 here

The Challenge

In the last few years, diabetes technology has made enormous progress in improving the lives of people with diabetes. However, there is still a great unmet need for innovative technology solutions that help ease the burden of diabetes and improve the lives of people who have it. 

We are thus inviting start-ups and innovators to share their ideas and projects on diabetes management. We will provide our expertise, network of experts and access to funding to help develop and accelerate selected projects.

Focus areas

The challenge runs in two separate lanes with a different focus and timeline. Select the focus area below to see more details.

Your journey with DCB

1 March - 27 March

Idea Sharing

Share your idea on the platform and get input on your idea from others, incl. Diabetes experts.

1 April

Selection Top 20

A panel of experts evaluates all ideas and selects Top 20.

April - march

Mentorship

The Top 20 teams get mentorship to refine their ideas. 

10 May

Selection Top 3

The Top 3 teams that go on to the Bootcamp and Final are selected. 

20 JUne – 24 June

Bootcamp

The Top 3 teams are invited to a Bootcamp in Switzerland to further develop their ideas and pitch.  

30 November

Final Pitching

The teams pitch their projects and the winners are found.

Your journey with DCB

15 July –
28 August

Idea Sharing

Share your idea on the platform and get input on your idea from others, incl. diabetes experts.

29 August –
2 September

Selection of Top 20

A panel of experts evaluates all ideas and selects Top 20.

September – October

Mentorship

The Top 20 teams get mentorship to refine their ideas.

october

Selection of Top 3

The Top 3 teams that go on to the Bootcamp and Final are selected.

21 – 25 November

Bootcamp

The Top 3 teams are invited to a Bootcamp in Switzerland to further develop their ideas and pitch.

30 November

Final pitching

The teams pitch their projects and the winners are found

Spring 2022

Diabetes Devices

We are looking for DIABETES DEVICES that can take diabetes management to the next level and ultimately make life better for people living with diabetes.

Your journey with DCB

1 March - 27 March

Idea Sharing

Share your idea on the platform and get input on your idea from others, incl. Diabetes experts.

1 April

Selection Top 20

A panel of experts evaluates all ideas and selects Top 20.

April - march

Mentorship

The Top 20 teams get mentorship to refine their ideas. 

10 May

Selection Top 3

The Top 3 teams that go on to the Bootcamp and Final are selected. 

20 JUne – 25 June

Bootcamp

The Top 3 teams are invited to a Bootcamp in Switzerland to further develop their ideas and pitch.  

30 November

Final Pitching

The teams pitch their projects and the winners are found.

AUTUMN 2022

Digital Diabetes

We are looking for DIABETES DEVICES that can take diabetes management to the next level and ultimately make life better for people living with diabetes.

Your journey with DCB

1 August – 28 August

Idea Sharing

Share your idea on the platform and get input on your idea from others, incl. diabetes experts.

29 August – 2 September

Selection of Top 20

A panel of experts evaluates all ideas and selects Top 20.

September – October

Mentorship

The Top 20 teams get mentorship to refine their ideas.

october

Selection of Top 3

The Top 3 teams that go on to the Bootcamp and Final are selected.

21 – 25 November

Bootcamp

The Top 3 teams are invited to a Bootcamp in Switzerland to further develop their ideas and pitch.

30 November

Final pitching

The teams pitch their projects and the winners are found

SIGN up

Our alumni

Where do you fit in?

Whether you are a start-up, a healthcare professional, a researcher or an individual with an idea or insight into how to improve life with diabetes, we want to hear from you! Join a team of innovators and be part of an innovative community at the forefront of diabetes technology. You can be an active part of the diabetes technology innovation movement and make a big impact with us!

Your benefits:

  • A chance to win 100,000 USD in funding and in kind support towards developing your innovation
  • A safe harbour where you can share with confidence, knowing that your idea remains entirely YOURS.
  • Receive first-class training and mentoring for scaling your business
  • Plug into a network of experts - and connect with other diabetes innovators
  • Learn from the diabetes community
  • Get access to exclusive events attended by experts and partners

Your benefits:

  • A chance to win 100,000 USD in funding and in kind support towards developing your innovation
  • A safe harbour where you can share with confidence, knowing that your idea remains entirely YOURS.
  • Tap into the diabetes community to find a co-founder or team to support you
  • Kick-start your business with first class mentoring and access to our customised services
  • Plug into a network of industry experts, and connect with other diabetes innovators 
  • Get access to exclusive events attended by experts and corporate partners

Your benefits:

  • Help co-create the diabetes technology of tomorrow
  • Contribute to the newest diabetes innovation with your insights or even as co-founder
  • See how diabetes technology is evolving 
  • Join a network of industry experts and diabetes innovators 
  • Get access to exclusive events attended by experts and partners

Take up the challenge

If you have read this far, we know you are serious about creating the diabetes technology of tomorrow and making a difference in the lives of people with diabetes.

Sign up

About us

DCB is a private, independent Swiss foundation, founded in 2017. Our mission is to identify unmet needs in diabetes technology and to translate ideas into tangible solutions. We are a growing international community and interdisciplinary network of trusted co-creators that join forces to achieve a common goal:

Making life with diabetes easier!

Read more

Innovation at DCB

In addition to supporting and conducting state-of-the-art research, together with our clinical and academic partners, we have created an online platform to identify, implement and scale innovative ideas, solutions or products that can be applied in practice in order to accelerate diabetes technology. We are looking to collaborate with start-ups, companies, mentors and the diabetes community all around the world.

Let's connect

Ask us anything

Do you have questions? Are you unsure if your idea fits in? Don’t hesitate! Reach out to the DCB Innovation team via innovation@dcberne.com or take the chance and book a 15’ virtual coffee slot. We are always happy to help.

Book coffee slot

FAQ

Who can participate in the Open Innovation Challenge?

Whether you are a start-up, a health care professional, a researcher, or an individual with an idea or insight into how to improve life with diabetes, we want to hear from you!

How do I submit my solution?

1. Sign up to our Open Innovation Challenge.
2. Click on the button "post" to submit your idea
3. Fill out the application form and provide a brief explanation of your innovative solution

Idea sharing opens on 15 July and the deadline for applications for the DIABETES DIGITAL catgory is 28 August 2022 [23:59, Central European Time (CET)].

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Who will own the idea?

You will, of course, retain all rights to your solution. DCB doesn't take over intellectual property rights.

Can other participants see my idea?

All participants on the platform can see each other’s submissions. Therefore, please ensure that you do not submit any confidential materials or information

Can I participate even if I don’t have an idea?

Yes, the challenge is open to anyone who wants to work on innovation in diabetes technology. Even if you don't have an idea, you can participate by joining a team or just sharing your feedback and expertise.

Can I submit more than one idea?

Yes, you can! Please submit as many great ideas as you have!
Simply fill out individual idea forms for each solution you submit.

What are the review and selection criteria?

Need: Does the idea address an important problem or need among people living with diabetes?

Problem-solution fit: Does the idea propose a good solution for addressing the need?

Innovation: Does the idea propose promising new ways to address the need identified?

Feasibility: What is the likelihood that the idea can be brought to fruition?

Impact: Does the idea have the potential to change the lives of people living with diabetes in a meaningful way?

How can I contact the project team?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at innovation@dcberne.com

Who can participate in the Open Innovation Challenge?

Whether you are a start-up, health care professional, researcher, or an individual
with an idea or insight on how to improve living with diabetes, we want to hear from you!

How do I submit my solution?

1. Sign up to our Open Innovation Challenge.

2. Click on submit idea

3. Fill out the application form and present your innovative solution in short

Idea sharing opens on 13 May and the deadline for applications is 30 June 2021 [noon CET].

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Who will own the idea?

You will, of course, retain all rights to your solution. DCB doesn't take over intellectual property rights.

Can other participants see my idea?

All participants on the platform can see each others submissions. Therefore, ensure that all of your submitted materials and information are not confidential.

Can I participate without having an idea?

Yes, the challenge is open for all people who want to work on innovate diabetes technology. Even if you don't have an idea you can participate by joining a team or just sharing your feedback and expertise.

Can I submit more than one idea?

Yes, you can! Please submit as many great ideas as you have!
Simply fill out individual idea forms for each solution you subm

What are the review and selection criteria?

Need: Does the idea address an important problem or need among people living with diabetes?

Solution Fit: Does the idea propose a good solution for addressing the need?

Innovation: Does the idea propose promising new ways to address the need identified?

Feasibility: What is the likelihood that the idea can be realised?

Impact: Does the idea have the potential to create significant impact on the lives of people living with diabetes?

How can I contact the project team?

We love to hear from you! Please contact us at innovation@dcberne.com

Our partners