Companies developing innovative solutions to improve health and social care have been crowned winners of the Isle of Man’s 2026 Innovation Challenge, following a global programme designed to connect innovators with real-world healthcare challenges and accelerate the adoption of new technologies.

The winners were selected from a group of 15 global finalists following a highly competitive process, which attracted a record-breaking 125 entries from 25 countries.

Now in its fourth year, the Challenge focused on health and social care, recognising the opportunity for innovation to play a greater role in supporting evolving patient needs, workforce demands, and service delivery.

Finalists took part in an intensive 10-week programme, working directly with Isle of Man Government, Manx Care, Public Health and frontline professionals to better understand sector needs and refine their solutions accordingly.

Unlike a traditional pitching competition, finalists were given direct access to decision-makers and end users, enabling them to test assumptions, refine their propositions and better understand user needs, service challenges and potential pathways to adoption.

The Challenge culminated in a live Finale Day in Douglas, where finalists presented their innovations to a panel of expert judges, industry leaders and healthcare professionals.

The 2026 category winners are:

· Working Smarter: Concentric Health – An AI-powered digital consent and shared decision-making platform that helps clinicians and patients make informed healthcare decisions through personalised, evidence-based information, replacing traditional paper-based processes.

· Wellness: BeatModules – A digital wellbeing and education platform that uses interactive learning, AI-supported behavioural simulations and peer-led content to help young people build healthier habits and make informed health decisions.

· Home First: Plainstep Ltd – A digital platform that helps healthcare providers recover unused outpatient appointments by automating waitlist management, reducing missed appointments and improving access to care without requiring new apps or systems.