Between Ultrasound and Intergenerational Households
Four student teams participating in the University of Siegen’s MedTech Startup Simulation presented their innovative concepts in a hybrid pitch format to a professional jury, which provided feedback both in person at the Artur-Woll-Haus and remotely to the lecture hall.
When students are required not only to submit business plans but also to pitch them to investors and industry representatives, teaching begins where the reality of the startup scene begins. That is exactly what happened in July at the University of Siegen: At the Artur-Woll-Haus, four teams from the University of Siegen’s Bachelor’s program in Digital Biomedical and Health Sciences (DBHS) presented their self-developed medtech startup concepts as part of the course “MedTech Business Simulation” —a form of academic entrepreneurship education that is unique in German higher education to date.
The “MedTech Simulation” is more than just a seminar exercise. In the “Medical Technology” module of the DBHS bachelor’s program, students spent a semester simulating real-world startup processes: from problem identification through product development and market analysis to the final investor pitch. The four teams were supported by a team of faculty members from the University of Siegen as well as four partner companies from the industry, who served as mentors with real-world experience. The module culminated in a pitch presentation before an interdisciplinary panel of experts.
Four Projects – Four Solutions to Real-World Healthcare Challenges
AuraGurt: AI-powered telemonitoring for high-risk pregnancies
The AuraGurt team developed a sensor-equipped monitoring belt for pregnant women with a high-risk profile. EMG (electromyography) sensors, microphones, and stretch and motion sensors continuously track heart rate, contractions, and the baby’s position. The data is transmitted via Bluetooth to an app and analyzed in real time by AI, which automatically notifies midwives or doctors if abnormalities are detected and initiates a video call if necessary. AuraGurt thus addresses the growing shortage of healthcare professionals in obstetrics and bridges the gap in care between in-person prenatal appointments. As a B2B2C model, the startup primarily targets hospitals, midwifery practices, and telemedicine facilities.
InjectWise: Ultrasound Tissue Scanner for More Precise Insulin Therapy
Approximately 41.8 percent of all patients requiring insulin develop painful fatty tissue growths (lipohypertrophy) due to repeated injections into the same skin area, which lead to uncontrolled blood sugar fluctuations. InjectWise has developed a compact smartphone attachment that uses dual-frequency ultrasound (10–18 MHz) to scan the subcutaneous tissue immediately before the injection and provides feedback via an intuitive traffic-light system. A paired app documents all injection sites. The business model follows the “razor and blade” principle: a low device price combined with recurring revenue potential from consumables.
MediCue: Smart Medication Companion for Seniors
About 23 percent of people aged 50 to 70 regularly forget to take their medication. In Germany, failure to take medication leads to approximately 250,000 deaths annually and costs of 19 billion euros. MediCue relies on a multi-stage reminder system: a vibration on the wrist, a light signal, an audio alert, or a phone call—combined with an app for family members and an emergency early-warning system. Future features will include fall detection and a direct pharmacy service. The product is designed as an MDR-compliant medical device, meaning it meets the EU’s strict regulatory guidelines.
CareConnect: Platform for Intergenerational Living
Loneliness in old age, a shortage of caregivers, and a housing shortage form a social problem triangle. CareConnect solves this with a digital matching platform that brings older adults together with families or younger people—for mutual support in household chores and daily life. Intelligent matching, transparent needs profiles, and integrated communication features are designed to facilitate intergenerational living arrangements and thereby help prevent loneliness and reduce strain on the system.
Academic Teaching Meets Entrepreneurial Reality
“The business simulation format fills a gap that is too often overlooked in university education: the path from an idea to a market-ready product,” says Dr. Olaf Gaus, university lecturer and executive director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research at the University of Siegen (ZiGS). “Our students didn’t just develop medical technology innovations—they learned how to approach an idea from an entrepreneurial perspective, secure funding for it, and communicate it effectively.”
The faculty team at the University of Siegen consisted of Prof. Dr. Kai Hahn, Dr. Christian Weber, and Dr. Olaf Gaus. They were joined by partner companies Conze Informatik GmbH, Inch Health GmbH, Medisanté Group AG, and NursIT Institute GmbH. The expert jury consisted of company representatives, the Entrepreneurship Center at the University of Siegen (Julia Förster and Karin Horchler), and Luca Heinz as a representative of the Siegerland Fund of Sparkasse Siegen. The integration of a regional venture capital specialist into the course format is a unique feature in academic higher education. The involvement of real partner companies and a venture capital representative gives the course a pilot character for evidence-based entrepreneurship education. The University of Siegen views this format as part of its knowledge transfer strategy—and as a breeding ground for future spin-offs from the Digital Biomedical and Health Sciences program.
