Most founders believe growth comes from meeting more people—more conferences, more networking events, more LinkedIn connections.
But healthinnovation need the connections with right people.
• They succeed because they know the right people.
• The investor who understands healthtech.
• The clinician who can validate the need.
• The hospital willing to run a pilot.
• The partner who opens doors to new markets.
• The mentor who has already solved the challenge you’re facing.
These are the relationships that create real momentum.
Growth in health sector is built on trust
Healthtech is one of the most collaborative industries in the world. No startup succeeds alone. Bringing a solution to market requires trust between founders, clinicians, healthcare providers, researchers, investors, and industry partners. Every introduction has the potential to unlock a new opportunity, but only if it’s the right one.
That’s why successful health-based startups don’t focus on building large networks. Instead, they focus on building meaningful relationships with the people who can help validate, strengthen, and scale their business.
More than an accelerator - an ecosystem
CO-AX is more than an accelerator.
It's an ecosystem designed to connect ambitious healthtech, medtech, biotech and deep tech founders with the people who can accelerate their journey. We focus on building relationships that support your company's next stage of growth.
Whether you need a clinical partner, an investor, a commercial collaborator or an experienced mentor, our goal is to help you meet the people who matter most. Since launching the accelerator, we've supported:
155
startups accelerated
8.03
billion SEK raised
9.8
billion SEK market value
653
jobs created
1. Meet the people who matter most
Not every startup needs the same network. Some founders are preparing to raise investment. Others need clinical validation or access to healthcare providers, while some are looking for strategic partners to enter new markets.
Instead of asking you to attend event after event, CO-AX starts with a different question:
Who does your company need right now?
From there, we create targeted introductions tailored to your goals, stage of development, and growth ambitions connecting you with the people who matter most to your progress.
2. Join an ecosystem built for health innovation
Health innovation thrives when founders become part of the right ecosystem.
Through us, startups gain access to a broad network of health providers, researchers, universities, investors and industry partners working to advance health innovation. Founders also have opportunities to participate in leading industry events such as Slush, TechBBQ, Vitalis, Nordic Life Science Days, GoWest and Vinnova initiatives, creating opportunities to connect with key decision-makers across the healthcare ecosystem.
Through initiatives like HealthTech Venture Pulse, startups meet investors who are actively looking for innovative healthtech companies in a focused, high-quality setting. The value isn't simply attending another event, It's joining conversations with people who can help shape the future of your company.
Recently, Curevo Health (our portfolio startup) met Dan Sten Olsson, CEO Stena line at Healthtech award ceremony, Vitalis organized by us. From there Dan developed interest for Curevo health and invested 5 Million SEK into the company, it's through like these we help build opportunities in different ways.
3. Valuable introductions deserve active follow-up
A introduction rarely changes a startup, what happens after the first conversation does.
CO-AX supports founders by helping them:
Refining your pitch and positioning
Guiding follow-ups and relationship building
Preparing for due diligence and next steps
Analyzing and improving when opportunities don’t convert
This turns introductions into long-term opportunities.
"Introduction to the network that CO-AX at Sahlgrenska Science Park has within the medtech field has been incredibly valuable and allowed us to form important collaborations and partnerships. The close follow-up from the coaches is another major advantage." Caroline Johansen, CEO, Bioelectric
Ready to join the right ecosystem?
The right connection can change the trajectory of a startup.
Whether you're looking for investors, clinicians, industry experts or strategic partners, CO-AX helps you build relationships that create real opportunities.
Applications for the next CO-AX cohort open soon. Or reach out to us at coax@sahlgrenskasciencepark.se .Join a community where meaningful connections lead to measurable growth.