Wayra, Telefónica’s corporate venture capital arm, Pfizer and the Pfizer Foundation join forces to launch the 7th edition of Innomakers4Health, a program where innovation and technology meet healthcare to address the challenges of the health sector through the design of solutions and prototypes that improve people’s quality of life.
Only 100 candidates will be selected to take part in Innomakers4Health, which will be held on October 24 and 25 at the 42 Madrid Fundación Telefónica campus. Participants will work in groups of five to develop their proposals, supported by professionals from Wayra, Pfizer and the Pfizer Foundation.
This edition introduces two categories. The first, Early Innovators, targets students, professionals with or without experience but with training in STEM careers and an interest in healthcare, as well as individuals with backgrounds in social sciences. The second category seeks startups whose activity is related to the development of innovative solutions in the health sector.
The challenge will focus on the use of technology to accelerate the adoption of biomarkers—measurable biological indicators that enable the detection, prediction, or monitoring of diseases and treatment responses—through technological solutions that make them more accessible, understandable and useful for clinical decision-making.
“At Wayra, we are very proud to strengthen our alliance with Pfizer and the Pfizer Foundation as key partners in our strong commitment to the healthcare sector. We want to contribute all our knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship and disruptive technologies to drive its transformation. We also encourage students, professionals and innovative startups to apply to this initiative so that together we can accelerate the evolution of the Spanish healthcare system and develop solutions that create a lasting impact in our society,” said Irene Gómez, CEO of Wayra.
For his part, José Chaves, Medical Director of Pfizer Spain, stated: “This edition’s challenge is very ambitious, as the adoption of biomarkers in clinical practice is a complex but essential process to move towards more personalized and precise medicine. We are confident that with the talent in our country we will find technological solutions of interest for early disease detection, more accurate diagnoses, and the selection of personalized treatments.”
Finally, Sergio Rodríguez, President of the Pfizer Foundation, noted: “The Pfizer Foundation has been promoting healthcare entrepreneurship and technology transfer to the healthcare system for years through this and other programs, as we are convinced they help improve the healthcare system and patients’ quality of life.”
There will be one winning team in each category, each receiving a €3,000 cash prize. In addition, winners will have the opportunity to accelerate their project at InnomakersLAB, Pfizer’s hub, together with Wayra, which will also provide access to a six-month mentoring program and workspace in its Madrid offices. Finally, thanks to the Pfizer Foundation, winners in the startup category will have the chance to participate in the selection process for a two-week residency at the Richi Social Entrepreneurs program in Boston.
Candidates can apply until October 17 at:
https://fundacionpfizer.org/innovacion/innomakers4health/registro2025
Wayra is Telefónica’s Corporate Venture Capital arm, through which it invests in startups with the capacity to bring innovation to Telefónica and provides innovation services to third parties to help them take their open innovation initiatives to the next level. With a global team, it operates in nine countries across Europe and Latin America, including Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. Through its funds, it also has a presence in Silicon Valley and Israel. Since its creation more than 15 years ago, Wayra has invested €245M in over 1,100 startups and currently has more than 530 startups in its portfolio, of which over 200 work with Telefónica. It also has a network of more than 150 partners and clients, and two innovation platforms (Alaian and Open Future) open to third parties. More information available at www.wayra.es
For 25 years, the Pfizer Foundation has been committed to promoting science, technology and innovation and bringing them closer to society. Each year it renews its strategic commitment to scientific, technological and social innovation by building bridges between research activity and society, with the aim of ensuring that scientific advances are translated into practical applications for the benefit of people. More information at www.fundacionpfizer.org
Pfizer, as a biomedical company working to improve people’s health, is dedicated to developing innovative therapies and vaccines to cure and prevent diseases or relieve their symptoms. With more than 175 years of history, Pfizer remains committed to society and invests in R&D to address today’s and tomorrow’s medical needs. The advancement of science and technology, as well as their medical application, requires collaboration with all stakeholders to maximize the portfolio of medicines and ensure that pharmaceutical innovation reaches everyone who needs it quickly, affordably, reliably and transparently, in line with the highest standards of quality and safety. More information at www.pfizer.es
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