The Healthtech Festival 2026 - Stavanger

REGISTRATION HERE

The Healthtech Festival – the meeting place for the ecosystem

The festival brings together leading companies, municipalities, hospitals and decision-makers for a day filled with professional insight, inspiration and networking.

Under the umbrella Connecting Minds, Transforming Health, we offer a festival programme featuring engaging speakers who share insights and experiences on current and forward-looking topics. Participants will gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from leading actors in both healthcare services and industry.

After many successful festivals in Oslo, we are now taking the concept on the road – with the first stop in Stavanger.

This year’s festival focuses on two main themes: improving the efficiency of healthcare services and health technology for preparedness, defence and dual use. Further down the page you will find a more detailed description of the programme and thematic focus.

What can you expect?

• An exhibition featuring innovative health technology companies
• Participants from both the public and private sectors
• Keynotes and panel discussions on relevant topics
• Networking, food and drinks

Who is the festival for?

• Health technology companies (startups, scale-ups and established players
• Healthcare providers and municipalities
• Authorities, decision-makers and public support organisations

REGISTRATION

We offer the public sector a discounted package price – please contact Therese for more information.

Registration: 09.15 - 10.00

Opening session: public–private collaboration to strengthen health preparedness

10:00 – 10:35

We open the Healthtech Festival with strategic perspectives, political insight and ecosystem thinking – highlighting the key challenges and the opportunities for public–private collaboration to strengthen health preparedness.

Participants:

• Christine Sagen Helgø, Regional Director, NHO
• Eldar Søreide, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger
• Sveinung Tornås, CEO, Norway Health Tech
• Stina Løkke, Director of Health and Welfare, Stavanger municipality

Moderator: Arild Kristensen, Director of Health at Validé and COO of Norway Health Tech

Session 1: improving the efficiency of healthcare services

10:55 – 11:55

With robotics and automation as key themes, we explore how smart solutions can support healthcare professionals, streamline workflows and contribute to more sustainable healthcare services.

Participants:

• Christian Nordbach, Business Developer, Mechatronics Innovation Lab
• Cato Heimvik, CIO at Stavanger University Hospital, Helse Stavanger
• TBC
• Quick pitches from exhibitors (see overview of exhibitors further down the page)

11:55 – 12:50: Lunch

Session 2: health technology for preparedness, defence and dual use

12:50 – 14:00

Geopolitical uncertainty, increasing preparedness requirements and strained healthcare systems are creating new expectations for cross-sector collaboration. In this session, we explore the intersection of health technology, civil preparedness and defence – and what it means for the region.

Participants:

• Svend Haakon Kristensen, Head of Defence Initiative, Laerdal Medical
• Thomas Iversen, Western Norway Regional Health Authority (Helse Vest RHF)
• TBC
• Panel discussion:
  • Svend Haakon Kristensen (Laerdal Medical)
  • Thomas Iversen (Helse Vest RHF)
  • TBC
  • Moderator: Arild Kristensen

14:00 End