The Delft-based company Praxa Sense was announced as the winner of the Zuid-Holland regional round for the National Healthcare Innovation Award 2025 (‘Nationale Zorginnovatieprijs’) during the Medical Delta Café on December 11.
Praxa Sense will represent the province of Zuid-Holland in the final of the National Healthcare Innovation Award 2025 at the Health Valley event on March 13, 2025, in Nijmegen. The award ceremony will take place during Zorg&ICT on April 9 in Utrecht.
Praxa Sense developed a sensor that measures biosignals in humans. The sensor uses laser technology that is significantly less affected by motion and works well on darker skin tones. It also measures blood velocity, enabling additional vital signs to be monitored remotely, particularly heart health. The sensor is small enough to be integrated into devices such as smartwatches.
“Impressed by the technology and potential societal impact”
The jury, consisting of Elisabeth Minnemann (Chair of the Executive Board of The Hague University of Applied Sciences), Marieke Kodde (InnovationQuarter), and Ide Swager (one of the founders of former winner Momo Medical), was unanimous in its decision.
“The uniqueness of the innovation, the potential societal impact, and the scalability opportunities of Praxa Sense were decisive for us,” explained jury chair Minnemann. “We are particularly impressed not only by the technological capabilities but also by the potential societal impact and the inclusivity of the innovation, as it enables reliable measurements for diverse skin tones. Reliable remote measurements are crucial for shifting care to different settings.”
“We believe that our innovation can help alleviate the pressure on healthcare. Reliable remote measurements offer a solution to a widely recognized problem, both nationally and internationally. The potential impact is significant. I am therefore pleased with the additional attention we are receiving as a result of this outcome, which will allow us to accelerate further,” said Liselotte Stolk of Praxa Sense. “With strong co-nominees today and many South Holland winners in previous editions, the bar is set high, but we are determined to win the National Healthcare Innovation Award as well.”
App for young hospital visitors runner-up.
The three companies nominated by Medical Delta (Praxa Sense, Hospital Hero, and Sensara) pitched diverse healthcare innovations.
The jury was also tasked with selecting a runner-up and chose Hospital Hero. The Hospital Hero app prepares children for their hospital visit in a playful way, tailored to the specific hospital and their appointment, helping to reduce fear and anxiety. In the hospital itself, the app provides distraction, bringing calm to the child, parent, and healthcare provider, making medical procedures as smooth and pleasant as possible. As a runner-up, Hospital Hero has a chance to win a wildcard for the national final.
With Sensara’s monitoring solution, caregivers and family members gain insight into the daily patterns of elderly individuals, such as those with dementia or a somatic profile, through heat sensors in the person’s home. This enables the care organization, in collaboration with family caregivers, to provide 24/7 care, ensuring that each elderly person can continue to live safely in their own home.
V.l.n.r. juryvoorzitter Elisabeth Minnemann, winnares Liselotte Stolk (Praxa Sense) en David de Glint (Medical Delta)
Charlotte Poot van Hospital Hero
Bart Keijzer van Sensara / Foto’s: Eelkje Colmjon
About ‘Nationale Zorginnovatieprijs’
Zorginnovatie.nl aims to accelerate technological innovations in healthcare and welfare. Companies that have already developed, tested and launched their innovation can often use a boost to make their company a real success. That is why Zorginnovatie.nl annually awards the ‘Nationale Zorginnovatieprijs’ (National Healthcare Innovation Award); the prize for the most innovative company in the scale-up phase. Entrepreneurs have a chance to win the professional jury prize worth €10,000 or the audience prize worth €5,000. This year the 10th edition of the Nationale Zorginnovatieprijs will take place. The award ceremony will take place on April 9, 2025 during Zorg & ICT, part of Dutch Health Week. More information: Nationale Zorginnovatieprijs | Zorginnovatie.
Link to original article: Medical Delta.