In celebration of the upcoming International Children’s Day on 20th November 2025, the ERIA Healthcare Unit and the ERIA Startup Team – under E-DISC (ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre) – have launched Health Innovation Spark (HITS), a joint initiative aimed at accelerating healthcare innovation. 

As the first programme of HITS, HITS4KIDS will spotlight child- and parent-focused solutions within ASEAN startup ecosystems. 

The programme also fosters cross-sector collaboration – connecting academia, startups, the private sector, and governments – to drive impactful, scalable solutions that improve the health and well-being of future generations. 

HITS4KIDS serves as a platform to: 

• Showcase innovative solutions focused on children and families from global startups who have solutions that are applicable to Southeast Asian & Indian market. 

• Facilitate knowledge exchange on child healthcare trends and challenges in the region 

• Enable connections and collaboration amongst key ecosystem players 

Key Initiatives  

The initiative will feature a Startup Pitch Session, providing startups with the opportunity to showcase their solutions, connect with international partners, and explore new business opportunities. 

1). Pitching Session  

Selected startups from around the world with healthcare solutions that are child-focused, or that directly or indirectly impact children and parents, will be invited to pitch their solutions in approximately 5 minutes each to a diverse panel of judges and stakeholders.

2). Startup Award  

One startup demonstrating outstanding innovation and impact, as evaluated by the judges, will emerge as the winner. The winning startup will receive a token of excellence as well as the opportunity to collaborate with ERIA on a research- or business-based project. 

3). 1-on-1 Matching Sessions  

Startups will have the chance to join pre-arranged matching sessions with private-sector representatives, investors, government agencies, and academia, based on expressions of interest related to investment, collaboration, or R&D opportunities. 

Calling for Healthtech Startups Nomination & Application! 

ERIA is now calling a nomination or application from healthtech startups to participate in the HITS4KIDS startup pitching session that fosters multi-sector collaboration and innovation in child-and parent-focused healthcare ecosystems across ASEAN & India 

Startups Eligibility Criteria:  

Early- to growth-stage global healthtech startups that fulfill the following criteria are invited to apply for the Startup Pitching Session: 

1. The startup must be operating in, or actively preparing to launch in, at least one ASEAN Member State or in India.  
2. The solution must address pressing healthcare challenges faced by children or families in the target markets mentioned above, such as the need to improve access, affordability, early diagnosis, or health literacy. 
3. The startup must adopt a science- or evidence-based approach in the development of its product/service. 
4. The startup must be open to engaging in ERIA’s research, policy dialogues, or knowledge exchange initiatives, particularly in the healthcare or innovation sector. 
5. The startup should demonstrate aspirations for regional or international collaboration.  

Solutions Category Could Include: 

Key Benefit for Startups 

• A token of reward for selected top startups, with certificates of appreciation for all participating startups 

• The chance to pitch in front of international companies, investors, and policymakers 

• The opportunity to join business matching sessions with ERIA’s network of ecosystem players and engage in cross-border business opportunities  

Whether you're a founder ready to showcase your solution or you know a promising startup that deserves the spotlight, apply or nominate your favorite & innovative startup today!  

Apply/Nominate here!

ERIA HITS4Kids_Programme Information Deck by Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia