The Innovation Session at ESOC 2026 will spotlight the next generation of breakthroughs shaping the future of stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery.
This unique session will bring together academics, clinicians, start-ups, industry leaders, and investors to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and foster collaborations that accelerate patient impact. Join the innovation session at ESOC 2026, dedicated to showcasing groundbreaking ideas, devices, and technologies that will redefine stroke treatment and care.
Meet the brightest minds across academia, start-ups, and industry – all driving real-world impact: ESOC Innovation Session 2026 – 6 May, 16:30-18:55 CEST
Discover the projects selected to pitch at the ESOC 2026 Innovation Session. These initiatives represent some of the most promising advancements in stroke care across all stages, from prevention to rehabilitation.
Pre-hospital
- Cortirio Learn More
- TrianecT
StrokePointer helps identify severe strokes before hospital arrival using portable EEG technology.
By directing patients to the right center immediately, it saves critical time and improves outcomes. Learn More - iGFAP
Transforming stroke triage from the very first contact, iGFAP combines biomarker testing and AI to identify stroke type in the field. It empowers emergency teams to act faster and prepares hospitals before the patient even arrives. It enables early detection and secure hospital prenotification, accelerating treatment from first contact. - Upfront Diagnostics
LVOne is the first rapid blood test to detect LVO stroke directly in the ambulance. Delivering results in minutes, it enables faster decisions and quicker access to life-saving treatment. Learn More - University of Melbourne // Micro-X Stroke
A breakthrough in portable imaging, the Micro-X Stroke Scanner brings CT directly into ambulances. Lightweight and connected, it enables faster diagnosis and earlier treatment decisions. - Wellumio
Bringing MRI to the patient, Wellumio is redefining stroke diagnosis in prehospital settings. Its lightweight system enables early, accurate differentiation when every minute matters. Learn More
Acute Treatment
- Hybernia Medical
Hybernia is redefining stroke care with precision brain cooling technology. Its Delta H system delivers rapid, targeted protection to minimize brain damage. Learn More - inSteps
inSteps accelerates innovation in stroke devices through AI-powered simulation. Its platform enables faster design, testing, and optimization across realistic virtual scenarios. Learn More - Nico lab
NICO Lab unlocks hidden insights from CT scans to guide stroke interventions. By understanding clot composition, it enables more precise and effective treatment strategies. Learn More - Anaconda biomed
The ANA-8 catheter enhances safety and performance in complex stroke interventions. It enables effective flow control, improving outcomes during thrombectomy and stenting. Learn More - Targedbio
TGD001 is a next-generation thrombolytic designed to break down even the toughest clots. With promising early results, it could redefine how stroke and thrombotic diseases are treated. Learn More - Mithridate BV
Mithridate is developing fast, targeted reversal agents for anticoagulants. Its antibody-based approach restores clotting safely without disrupting the body’s balance. Learn More - Quantanosis.AI
Quantanosis is pioneering a non-invasive approach to stroke treatment using AI-guided ultrasound technology. By eliminating the need for invasive procedures, it opens access to faster, scalable care. Learn More - ETH Zurich // Swiss Vascular
This microrobotic platform delivers drugs directly to the clot with unmatched precision. By targeting treatment at the source, it has the potential to significantly improve thrombolysis outcomes. - Methinks
Methinks turns standard CT scans into powerful decision-making tools using AI. It expands access to stroke treatment by enabling accurate assessments without complex imaging. Learn More - Neuroprecision Lab, University of Pittsburgh
HORUS brings AI-driven intelligence to every step of stroke care. From diagnosis to treatment decisions, it delivers real-time guidance and connects patients to clinical trials.
Rehabilitation
- nunaps Inc.
vividbrain is transforming vision recovery after stroke through digital therapy. Clinically validated, it leverages neuroplasticity to turn vision loss into a treatable condition. Learn More - CEA// BrainSync project
BrainSync combines brain-computer interfaces and advanced imaging to personalize stroke recovery.
By decoding motor intention, it opens new pathways for targeted rehabilitation.
- eXRt Intelligent Healthcare
Resynk makes high-intensity stroke rehabilitation accessible from hospital to home. Combining VR and AI, it delivers personalized therapy with continuous clinician oversight Learn More
Prevention
- CERN
CAFEIN® Piccolo is a wearable system that detects early physiological changes linked to stroke risk. Private, autonomous, and adaptive, it enables proactive prevention anywhere in the world. - Amsterdam UMC
Pre-hospital
- Cortirio
- TrianecT
- iGFAP
- Upfront Diagnostics
- University of Melbourne // Micro-X Stroke
- Wellumio
Acute Treatment
- Hybernia Medical
- inSteps
- Nico lab
- Anaconda biomed
- Targedbio
- Mithridate BV
Rehabilitation
- Methinks
- Nanobots
- NeuroSmart AI // UPMC Stroke Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- nunaps Inc.
- BrainSync project
- eXRt Intelligent Healthcare
Prevention
- CERN
- Amsterdam UMC
Objectives
- Showase cutting-edge innovations in stroke diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
- Bridge research and commercialization by connecting academics and innovators with industry and investment partners.
- Encourage cross-sector collaboration for faster translation of scientific advances into clinical practice.
- Educate participants about new and upcoming options and novel treatments.
What to expect
- OPENING: “The Future of Stroke Innovation” – Carlos Molina, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona
- PITCH SESSIONS: Selected innovators will take the stage to deliver 5-minute presentations of their projects, followed by a short Q&A with the moderators
- INTERACTIVE VOTING: At the end of the session, the audience will vote through an interactive system to select the Top 3 projects
- NETWORKING AND INTERACTION
Looking for more details? Contact us at esoinfo@eso-stroke.org.
Who should present
We welcome submissions from:
- Academic researchers with promising studies, pilot data, or clinical trial concepts.
- Start-ups and spin-offs developing novel devices, digital tools, AI solutions, or care models.
- Established companies introducing emerging technologies or pipeline products.
- Clinicians and innovators with transformative ideas that could shape the future of stroke care.
Innovations will be featured in the ESOC Innovation Stage section on the conference website and app (text to be submitted by presenters).
Hear from Carlos Molina on why to join the Innovation Session at ESOC 2026.
Participation Categories
Innovation Session Programme
Additional applications were received across all tracks and contributed to the high quality and competitiveness of the selection process.
| MedicQuant | Acute Treatment |
| Point-of-care BD-tau // LMU university hospital, LMU Munich | Pre-hospital |
| Time is Brain, SL | Pre-hospital |
| Ulster University | Pre hospital |
| StrokeCap | Pre hospital |
| AdaptEx – Oslo Metropolitan University | Rehabilitation |
| NeuroCare | Rehabilitation |
| ETH Zürich, Switzerland | Rehabilitation |
| OnTrack Rehab | Rehabilitation |
| Openwater | Acute Treatment |
| Syrebo Shanghai Siyi Intelligent Technology | Rehabilitation |
| NeurorehabilitationSaMD | Rehabilitation |
| Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul | Rehabilitation |
| ECG27 | Pre hospital |
| Neubond Ltd | Acute Treatment |
| Chutex | Rehabilitation |
| University Hospital Zurich//ACES working group | Acute Treatment |
| Ischemia Care | Acute Treatment |
| The University of Chicago | UChicago Medicine | Acute Treatment |
| Arianna // Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS | Acute Treatment |
| Genomadix Inc. | Acute Treatment |
| Willis | Prevention |
| ABCDx | Pre hospital |
| StroQ – UMG Germany | Acute Treatment |
| AI-stroke | Acute Treatment |
| Stroke Alert // Neurology, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital, Mumbai, India | Pre hospital |
| TTM // IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna | Acute Treatment |
| PEDISTROKE | Acute Treatment |
| Imperial College London – BeMEWSD | Acute Treatment |
| IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna | Acute Treatment |
| Feleghiwot Comprehensive specialized hospital | Acute Treatment |
| Neuro Animation Inc | Rehabilitation |
The committee behind the selection
Simona Sacco
Italy
President
Carlos Molina
Spain
Vice President
Wim van Zwam
Netherlands
ESOC Local Chair
Mira Katan
Switzerland
Conference Planning Chair
Götz Thomalla
Germany
ESOC Co-Chair
Urs Fischer
Switzerland
President Elect
