# Collaboration Perspectives between the Healthcare Sector and Startups: Towards a New Medical Era > Source: https://healthcareinnovation.tn/collaboration-perspectives-between-the-healthcare-sector-and-startups-towards-a-new-medical-era/ > Author: healthcareinnovation.com > Published: 2025-05-19 > Updated: 2026-09-23 How can hospitals, universities, and startups collaborate effectively? The [Faculty of Medicine of Monastir (FMM)](https://www.fmm.rnu.tn/) and [HealthCare Innovation (HCI)](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/) convened a high-level panel to turn lessons from practice into a playbook for Tunisia’s HealthTech ecosystem. This article distills the session’s insights into clear steps: building applied research pipelines, validating innovations through Smart Lab, navigating PPP frameworks, and accelerating adoption in clinical settings. ## **Context & Participants** The first postgraduate session (3 February 2024) gathered 120+ participants from university hospitals in Monastir, Sousse, Mahdia, and Nabeul, alongside entrepreneurs and administrators. Speakers included: Prof. Charfeddine Amri (Dean, FMM & Smart Lab Director), Dr. Zouhour Ouanes (Assistant Professor, ISBM), Dr. Mohamed Majdi Karray (Founder, MedicaCom), and Mr. Slaheddine Dardouri (Moderator). ### **Why This Matters** HealthTech adoption is often slowed by fragmented collaboration and unclear validation pathways. According to the [OECD](https://www.oecd.org/health/digital-health.htm), digital health ventures face significant scale-up frictions, while the [WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240068891) highlights the need for governance, workforce skills, and interoperability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF9K8mzeZh8 #### **From Panel Insights to Actionable Steps** 1) Build Applied-Research Pipelines (Universities × Hospitals × Startups): - Prioritize problem-driven research and strengthen tech infrastructure across academic health institutions. - Embed continuous training for clinicians in digital tools and data practices. - Use engineering final-year projects and clinical needs as joint scoping exercises for prototypes. 2) Validate Early via Smart Lab (Compliance & Risk Reduction): - Leverage FMM’s Smart Lab as an R&D, verification, and medico-legal risk mitigation platform. - Target ISO 17025-grade testing where relevant to generate credible validation reports for startups. 3) Start Small, Deliver Fast (Time-to-Value): - Prioritize short-cycle pilots that solve specific ward-level problems before scaling. - Apply lightweight project management for needs assessment, scope, and evaluation. 4) Co-Design Education (Reverse Engineering & Joint Courses): - Adopt reverse engineering in academic projects to align curricula with clinical realities. - Co-construct training with universities and industry to bridge skills and deployment. 5) Track Funding & Open Calls (Incubation/Acceleration): - Monitor calls for projects and incubation/acceleration programs to build networks and finance pilots. 6) Secure the Regulatory & PPP Framework: - Activate public–private partnership mechanisms to formalize hospital–startup collaboration. - Consider transitions from EPNA to EPST status where appropriate to align institutional missions with innovation. - Publish innovation outputs to protect IP through copyright and ensure knowledge diffusion. - Apply Decree No. 2001-1182 to channel university-generated revenues into innovation and applied research. #### **Benefits for Clinicians, Students, and Startups** - Clinicians: faster access to validated solutions, reduced medico-legal risk via structured validation (e.g., ISO 17025 contexts). - Students: hands-on experience with real clinical problems, stronger employability in HealthTech. - Startups: credible validation pathways, clearer hospital collaboration models, and quicker time-to-market. #### **Internal Links (HCI Resources)** [Accelerating Innovation in HealthTech](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/accelerating-innovation-in-healthtech/) [Startup Programs](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/service/startups/) [Pharma & Medical Device Regulatory Services](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/service/pharma-medical-device/) [Experts Network](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/experts/) [Community Overview](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/community/) #### **External Citations** [OECD](https://www.oecd.org/health/digital-health.htm) — Digital health overview: [WHO](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240068891) — Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020–2025): ### **FAQ** Q: How can startups work with hospitals without long delays? A: Start with short pilots that address a specific clinical need, use Smart Lab-style validation, and document outcomes for scale-up. Q: How can universities contribute to faster innovation cycles? A: Align curricula with clinical needs via reverse engineering, co-design courses with industry, and mobilize final-year projects toward real problems. Q: What legal tools support collaboration? A: PPP instruments, potential EPNA→EPST transitions, IP via publication, and revenue allocation under Decree 2001-1182. Q: Where can I find support? A: Engage with [HCI’s Startup Programs](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/service/startups/), the [HCI Experts Network](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/experts/), and [HCI Regulatory Services](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/service/pharma-medical-device/). **Partner with [HealthCare Innovation (HCI)](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/) to co-design pilots with hospitals and accelerate compliant market entry: [Explore HCI services](https://healthcareinnovation.tn/services/)** #### **Author & Footer** By HealthCare Innovation (HCI) Editorial Team. HCI is Tunisia’s HealthTech cluster connecting startups, clinicians, and partners across the Euro-Med region. ## Frequently asked questions ### What legal tools support collaboration? PPP instruments, potential EPNA→EPST transitions, IP via publication, and revenue allocation under Decree 2001-1182. ### How can universities contribute to faster innovation cycles? Align curricula with clinical needs via reverse engineering, co-design courses with industry, and mobilize final-year projects toward real problems. ### How can startups work with hospitals without long delays? Start with short pilots that address a specific clinical need, use Smart Lab-style validation, and document outcomes for scale-up. ### Where can I find support? Engage with HCI’s Startup Programs, the HCI Experts Network, and HCI Regulatory Services.