Newcomer Challenge - Attention innovators!

Do you have a product or concept that helps to solve the challenges in care? Apply for the care:xpo Newcomer Challenge 2027 and convince our nomination jury. If you are nominated, you will be an exhibitor at the special show ‘AVENEO - Space for Innovation’ at the next care:xpo exhibition in Nuremberg.

Newcomer Challenge 2026

The gateway to the care sector

For many years, the Newcomer Challenge (former Start-Up Challenge) has been the entry point into the care market for young companies and new players in the care sector. The competition offers nominees the opportunity to present their products, services and concepts to an expert audience over three intensive days and to gain valuable impetus and make contacts for the next steps.

The application period for the Newcomer Challenge 2027 begins on 15 September 2026 and ends on 15 January 2027.

This is what the Newcomer Challenge offers nominees:

Participation at care:xpo 2027
Publicity & reporting
Qualified feedback
Valuable industry contacts

Who should take part?

Have you already tested your innovation in a practical care environment?
Is your innovation almost ready for the market or at a high stage of development? Or:
Has your innovation been on the care market for less than four years?

A woman is trying out innovative glasses

The Aveneo and Newcomer Challenge area at the Care Fair

What are we looking for?

The Newcomer Challenge is looking for analogue and digital solutions for care in a wide range of application scenarios, e.g. quality of life for the cared-for, promotion and appreciation of professionals in elderly care, self-determined living, relief and integration of caregiving relatives, shortage of skilled workers as well as process control and management. Nominations can be made in one of the following categories: