Ambitious scheme like Ayushman Bharat needs the energy and innovation spirit of young India: Dr. Indu Bhushan CEO NHA Entrepreneurship and a vibrant startup ecosystem is an absolute necessity to compete with the circle of innovation in healthcare The Carnival showcased an enabling healthcare innovation ecosystem that supports healthcare innovators and provides them with opportunities to partner and scale As a part of its 6th Annual Summit Apex Healthcare Industry body-NATHEALTH in association with National Health Authority (NHA) Government of India organised first of its Kind Carnival for Healthcare Startups here today. The Carnival was an integral part of a high-impact national two-day Annual Summit of NATHEALTH around the themes of Digital Health Investment Skilling and Mainstreaming Innovation to drive a stronger healthcare narrative. The Carnival showcased amazing innovations which can radically transform the way healthcare is delivered in India. Dr Indu Bhushan CEO NHA and Dr Sudarshan Ballal President NATHEALTH with their Team during the inaugural session of NHA-NATHEALTH Startup Carnival in New Delhi on Friday The Startup Carnival drew a lot of traction from all stakeholders including innovators incubators and investors. Nearly 200 Startups and their representatives participated in the event. Welltech was the innovation partner for the Carnival. Dr Indu Bhushan CEO NHA and Dr Sudarshan Ballal President NATHEALTH inaugurating NHA-NATHEALTH Startup Carnival Opening the Carnival Dr InduBhushan CEO NHA said We have been witnessing a plethora of healthcare innovations happening across the country and it is crucial to empower them by providing the right support. Our main objective was to showcase an enabling healthcare innovation ecosystem that supports healthcare innovators and provides them with opportunities to partner and scale. Ambitious scheme like Ayushman Bharat needs the energy and innovation spirit of young India. I hope startups will provide us the solutions to bridge the current demand-supply gap and ensure quality service to 500+ million people he added. NATHEALTH and NHA have already agreed to create the future of Indian healthcare through an accelerator program that supports startups to grow and to collaborate better with Government and industry. We aim to provide support to innovation through startups by leveraging our member's product and technology expertise global network and capital partners said Dr. Sudarshan Ballal President NATHEALTH. The Carnival aimed at supporting healthcare startups with access to capital market industry partnerships mentorship and technology development assistance. Sessions with mentors and Storytelling along with funding opportunities (B2B Meetings) and exclusive video on the startups were the main highlights of the Carnival. During B2B meetings startups and their representatives explored huge business opportunities as well. From Startup space Health Vectors Wellthy Therapeutics PeeSafe -Redcliffe Hygiene Private Limited Cyclops Medtech OncoStem Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. Kvayat Medical Pvt. Ltd. Doxper IMPACT GURU CARING (Mahajan Imaging) NanoHealth Niroggyan Akna Medical Medikabazaar VVP Healthcare Erfolg life sciences Stay Happi Sanskritech Smart Solutions IncredibleDevices Inn Accel BeatO (Health ARX Technologies) HealthCubed Zipline International NIRAMAI Health Analytix Meddo among others showcased their products and services at the kiosks at the carnival which also opened engagement gateways amongst academia start-up incubators and accelerators private industry and investors. Entrepreneurship and a vibrant startup ecosystem is an absolute necessity to compete with the circle of innovation in healthcare. The NATHEALTH-NHA initiative is a great step in that direction and one of the several value-adding initiatives of NATHEALTH to Indian and global healthcare said Mr Amit Mookim Managing Director IQVIA South Asia who is also the leader for the NATHEALTH Innovation and Entrepreneurship Track. Startups need guidance on the evolving ecosystem. During the day-long Carnival, they were made aware of policy reforms incentives incubation prospects and industry linkages. It also provided students and researchers from various tech Institutes an insight into the evolving startup ecosystem. Earlier on Day 1 of the Summit Dr Vinod Paul Member (Health) NITI Aayogdelivered the keynote address and also release NATHEALTH Diagnostic Study that that highlights the challenges and opportunities in the diagnostic segment which is an important pivot to India response to the twin challenges of communicable and non-communicable diseases. During the Summit NATHEALTH also announced the support of notable industry bodies CII Association of Healthcare Providers (India) FICCI Indian Chambers of Commerce (ICC) ASSOCHAM PHD Chamber of Commerce all of whom share a common vision for better high quality and affordable healthcare in India. About the National Health Authority National Health Authority (NHA) is an independent autonomous body responsible for the implementation of PM-JAY across the country. It is headed by a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and governed by a Governing Board chaired by the Union Minister of Health Family Welfare. About NATHEALTH NATHEALTH has been created with the Vision to Be the credible and unified voice in improving access and quality of healthcare. Leading Healthcare Service Providers Medical Technology Providers (Devices Equipment IT) Diagnostic Service Providers Health Insurance companies Health Education Institutions Medical Journalism companies Biotech/Lifesciences related companies Healthcare Publishers Healthcare Consultants Home Healthcare companies PE VC companies and other stakeholders have come together to build NATHEALTH as a common platform to create the next level of momentum in Indian Healthcare. NATHEALTH is an inclusive institution that has a representation of small-medium hospitals and nursing homes as well as Healthcare Start-up companies. NATHEALTH is committed to work on its mission to encourage innovation to help bridge the skill and capacity gap to help shape policy regulations and enable the environment to fund long term growth. NATHEALTH aims to help build a better and healthier future for both rural and urban India.