The HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition is the premier event for healthcare innovation, bringing together thousands of industry leaders, investors, and technology professionals shaping the future of health tech, and offering direct access to potential investors, partners, decision-makers, and more across the healthcare ecosystem.
HIMSS25 introduced the Emerge Experience, a groundbreaking platform that gave health tech startups a national stage to showcase their solutions. More than just a pitch competition, Emerge served as a launchpad for growth, enabling startups to build partnerships, refine strategies, and gain visibility among healthcare’s most influential players.
For investors, Emerge is a pipeline of vetted, high-potential startups. For healthcare organizations, it’s a chance to explore innovative solutions that align with strategic goals. But don’t just take our word for it – hear directly from last year’s winners about how Emerge helped them level up.
We caught up with some of our Best in Show winners from the HIMSS25 Emerge Experience contest to hear how it helped them level up and advance their missions.
Emerge Spotlight: Featured HIMSS25 Best in Show Winners
AskIris – AI-powered solutions that help hospitals improve patient engagement and streamline communication.
HealthRate – Provides analytics combining clinical outcomes and cost insights to support value-based healthcare decisions, helping insurers, TPAs, and health systems make smarter decisions.
Zest Health – Focused on dermatology, Zest Health enhances patient care with accessible, personalized tools and support.
Want to discover all of the HIMSS25 Emerge Experience contest winners? View the full list here.
"Emerge is more than a showcase - it’s a launchpad."
Insights From HIMSS25 Emerge Experience Winners
“Since participating in the Emerge Experience at HIMSS25, how has your company evolved or grown?’
AskIris:
The exposure and feedback we received from healthcare innovation leaders, investors, and operators helped us refine both our product direction and go-to-market strategy. We’ve since formed several key partnerships, strengthened our positioning within the market, and accelerated our path toward scaling in hospitals across the U.S.
HealthRate:
We’ve expanded both our data capabilities and strategic relationships. Integrating transplant quality metrics into our analytics opened doors to meaningful conversations with leading academic medical centers and research institutions exploring value-based specialty networks.
Zest Health:
We’ve been able to further scale our partnerships with health plans and refine our value-based care model. The one-on-one meetings with health plan leaders and broad on-stage exposure produced meaningful follow-ups and sharpened our sales narrative.
“What’s one tangible way Emerge accelerated your mission or helped move the needle for a key business goal?”
AskIris:
Emerge placed us directly in front of the right people – decision-makers, collaborators, and mentors who were not only aligned with our mission but eager to support it. One tangible outcome was the formation of a strategic partnership that’s helping us pilot AskIris in a major hospital network, fast-tracking our ability to prove impact and expand.
HealthRate:
Emerge put us in front of decision-makers we previously couldn’t reach, which had a real impact. Since the conference, we secured pilot conversations with two major insurers, several TPAs, and are negotiating multiple white-label opportunities. The HIMSS brand gave us immediate credibility and allowed us to frame HealthRate not just as a product, but as a policy-relevant innovation driving transparency, equity, and accountability.
Zest Health:
The customer meetings Emerge facilitated led to several ongoing conversations with the right stakeholders. It was a helpful opportunity to further health plan partnership discussions.
“Why should emerging health tech companies see Emerge as a must-attend opportunity?”
AskIris:
Emerge is more than a showcase – it’s a launchpad. For any emerging health tech company looking for real feedback from industry leaders and meaningful conversations with potential investors, partners, and peers, Emerge is an unmatched opportunity. It’s where your ideas get sharpened, your network grows, and your mission gains momentum.
HealthRate:
Emerge gives early-stage companies a national stage – and the right audience. It’s one of the few venues where health tech startups can present visionary solutions directly to enterprise buyers, regulators, investors, and innovation leaders. You don’t just meet people—you move your mission forward.
Zest Health:
Emerge is one of the few events that puts early-stage companies in front of real decision-makers. If you’re looking for signal on your solution—and potential customers—it’s worth participating.
Be Part of the Next Wave of Innovation
The HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition will continue to foster innovation and support emerging health tech companies through programs like Emerge at HIMSS26.
Why Emerge is a Must-Attend Opportunity
For Investors: Emerge is a goldmine of innovation. It’s where you’ll find early-stage companies with scalable solutions that address critical healthcare challenges. The startups showcased at Emerge are vetted, mission-driven, and ready to deliver real-world impact—making them ideal candidates for investment.
For Startups: Emerge is more than a showcase—it’s a launchpad. It connects you with decision-makers, collaborators, and mentors who align with your mission and help you accelerate growth. For startups looking to sharpen their ideas and expand their network, Emerge is unmatched.
For Healthcare Provider Organizations: Emerge is your innovation hub. It’s where you’ll discover transformative solutions that align with your strategic goals, improve patient outcomes, and drive operational efficiency. The program facilitates direct engagement with startups offering cutting-edge technologies tailored to your needs.
Don’t miss your opportunity to join the elite gathering of visionaries, investors, and changemakers at HIMSS26.
Apply For the Emerge Experience Pitch Competition | Applications close November 28, 2026
