This challenge is closed

Breast Cancer Innovation Challenge & Pilot Program

We are looking for cutting edge digital health solutions for breast cancer patients!

The Challenge is now closed for submissions.

View recording of the Global Showcase Final Event
Watch this video to learn more about our program

Partners

In collaboration with

Roche, Startup Nation Central & Sheba Medical Center are united by a shared vision: to harness the power of digital health solutions to drastically improve the lives of breast cancer patients.

Our goal is to enhance adherence and compliance, enable better disease management, and improve the quality of life for patients, resulting in personalized care that drives better health outcomes.

The Winner

Winner

YuviTal is a digital health platform dedicated to transforming behavior and improving health outcomes through personalized engagement, gamification, and data-driven insights. For women facing breast cancer, YuviTal provides continuous emotional, physical, and social support, empowering them to take an active role in their care journey. The platform integrates personalized health goals, mental well-being tools, and community engagement features to promote resilience and treatment adherence. By combining clinical science with motivational psychology, YuviTal enhances quality of life, strengthens patient–care team communication, and bridges the gap between healthcare systems and real-life patient experience.

For more information

The Finalists

Datos is an AI-driven hybrid care automation platform that helps healthcare organizations expand capacity beyond the clinic walls. Replacing rigid RPM systems, Datos automates personalized remote and hybrid care pathways, integrates real-time monitoring, and captures patient-reported outcomes to unlock smarter, proactive care. By orchestrating dynamic education, virtual visits, and tailored interventions, Datos boosts patient adherence while easing clinician workload and improving efficiency. The platform enables health systems to deliver more continuous, connected, scalable care without adding staff or infrastructure, driving measurably safer, higher-quality outcomes so teams can focus on what matters most: stronger patient relationships and long-term sustainable care delivery.

For more information

Dosentrx’s ReX platform improves specialty oral medication management by combining precise dosing, real-time adherence visibility, and continuous care coordination. ReX administers each dose directly to the patient while gathering real-time clinical information through guided check-in questions. Care teams review patient behavior and responses in the secure, cloud-based ReX Treatment Manager and adjust treatment plans as needed, with updates syncing automatically via cellular connection. This closed-loop system reduces uncertainty by providing reliable, actionable data and supporting flexible, patient-specific care. ReX enables care teams to improve outcomes, enhance treatment effectiveness, and deliver responsive, high-quality home care for complex oral specialty medications.

For more information

Effectivate offers a cognitive-training platform built on accessible, evidence-based exercises developed by leading experts. Our mission is to strengthen cognitive resilience across the lifespan, helping individuals maintain cognitive skills and regain confidence. Through adaptive gamified tasks, clear progress feedback, and psychoeducational content, users are motivated to train consistently and build habits that support cognitive health and emotional well-being. The platform is widely adopted, with over 35K users and more than 40M completed training games, and is used across clinical, community, and organizational settings seeking an effective, personalized cognitive-health solution.

For more information

WizeCare is an advanced, clinically proven physiological rehabilitation platform used by clinicians and hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. Backed by three clinical studies with leading global institutions and protected by a motion-analysis technology patent, WizeCare delivers AI-powered assessment, personalized treatment, and continuous monitoring. The platform supports a wide range of chronic and acute conditions, including orthopedics, women’s health, oncology, pediatrics, geriatrics, and neurological rehab. For breast cancer patients, WizeCare provides targeted rehabilitation protocols that improve quality of life, enhance medication adherence, reduce stress and depressive symptoms, and help lower reliance on opioid pain medication.

For more information

The Challenge

Areas of focus:

For example:

  • Patient treatment awareness and accessible information, including support for shared decision making
  • Patient adherence to treatment regimen and workup
  • Treatment management optimization
  • Digital Medication wallet
  • Management based on drug-drug Interactions

For example:

  • Remote monitoring systems
  • Integrated care management systems
  • Patient Reported Outcomes (PROMs) – collecting data directly from patients about their health status

For example:

  • Enhancing emotional journey and returning to daily activities
  • Improving overall Quality of Life during and after breast cancer treatment: insomnia, fatigue, Chemo Induced Cognitive Dysfunction (CICD), Treatment-Related Sexual Dysfunction, lymphedema, etc.

Additional Considerations

We welcome solutions with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 and above. An advantage for startups in the process of obtaining regulatory approval, post regulatory approval or deployed in markets.
Preference will be given to solutions addressing the first two areas of focus (i.e. Adherence and Compliance, Monitoring and Proactive Communication).
Good solutions will address at least one of these areas of focus, while great solutions will tackle more than one area of focus and support inter-connectivity standards.
Watch this video to learn more about our focus areas

What Will You Gain
From The Program?

The Finalists

Access and exposure

Exposure to relevant stakeholders within Startup Nation Central, 8400 Health Network, Roche Global and Sheba Medical Center

Meet the experts

Meetings with senior Sheba Medical Center experts, including access to key insights in the breast cancer field

Skill development

Enhance your presentation skills with a dedicated session at Startup Nation Central

The Winner

Implement a real-life clinical pilot at Sheba Medical Center, with a fast track for submission to Independent Review Board (Helsinki Committee)

Pilot funding - up to 250,000 NIS

50,000 NIS for pilot preparation

Budget of up to 200,000 NIS for conducting a pilot at the Breast Cancer Institute, Sheba Medical Center

Comprehensive mentorship package

5 mentorship hours with the Sheba Breast Cancer Institute

5 mentorship hours with Sheba supporting submission to Helsinki Committee (if applicable)

2 mentorship hours with Dr. Irit Yaniv, Almeda Ventures

*Funding is VAT included; funding and mentorship package are subject to the program’s Official Rules

Timeline of the Challenge

26.8.25
Applications open
29.9.25
Applications close
12.11.25
Finalists notification
18.11.25
Finalists pitch to Advisory Committee
26.11.25
Global showcase event

Advisory Committee

Dr. Einav Gal-Yam

Sheba Medical Center

Dr. Tal Sella

Sheba Medical Center

Ayelet Geva

Sheba Medical Center

Dr. Maura Dickler

Roche

Prof. Shani Paluch-Shimon
Hadassah University Hospital

Dr. Ayelet ShaiDr. Ayelet Shai

Rambam Health Care Campus

Dr. Irit Yaniv

Almeda Ventures

Dr. Iris Adler

8400 Health Network

Dr. Einav Gal-Yam

Sheba Medical Center

Dr. Einav Gal-Yam, MD, PhD, is a physician-scientist specializing in oncology and cancer research. She completed her medical and doctoral training at the Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, where she was the first female graduate of the institution’s MD-PhD program. Following her graduation, she pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California’s Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center under the mentorship of Professor Peter Jones, focusing on cancer epigenetics. Dr. Gal-Yam returned to Israel to join the Talpiot Medical Leadership Program at Sheba Medical Center, where she trained as a medical oncologist while also establishing an independent laboratory. Her research has spanned both basic and translational science, exploring tumor evolution, mechanisms of treatment resistance, and the role of the tumor and gut microbiome in breast cancer.

Upon completing her clinical training, Dr. Gal-Yam served as Director of the Outpatient Oncology Department at Sheba’s Oncology Institute. In 2021, she was appointed Director of the Sheba Breast Cancer Institute, succeeding the late Professor Bella Kaufman.

As a clinician-scientist and institutional leader, Dr. Gal-Yam is committed to improving the continuum of care for breast cancer patients—from diagnosis through active treatment and survivorship. She serves as a principal investigator and steering committee member in numerous clinical trials and remains dedicated to bridging the gap between research and patient care.

Dr. Tal Sella

Sheba Medical Center

Dr. Tal Sella, MD, started his medical career in Israel where he attended Tel Aviv University and earned his MD at the Sackler School of Medicine. He trained in medical oncology at Sheba Medical Center, dedicating most of his time to the treatment of breast cancer under the mentorship of Dr. Bella Kaufman. He joined the Department of Medical Oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in 2018 as a Goldfarb and Rudkin Family international fellow in breast oncology. At Dana-Farber, under the mentorship of Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, Dr. Sella initiated multiple research projects within the Young Women with Breast Cancer Study, a longitudinal cohort study investigating disease and psychosocial outcomes in this unique population.

In 2022, Dr. Sella returned to Sheba Medical Center where he heads the Service for Young Women with Breast Cancer. He also functions as the medical director of the Oncology Clinical Trials Department.

Dr. Sella’s research efforts focus on multiple aspects of the treatment and survivorship of premenopausal and young women with breast cancer. These include issues related to genetics, fertility, quality of life, adherence, decision-making and treatment optimization. Additional interests include the study of patient reported outcomes and the incorporation of digital and remote health platforms into clinical care.

Ayelet Geva

Sheba Medical Center

Ayelet Geva is the Director of Innovation & Business Development Unit, ARC Oncology, Sheba Medical Center. Ayelet Geva specializes in healthcare innovation, with a focus on digital health and AI-driven solutions. At Sheba Medical Center, she heads the ARC Oncology Innovation Unit, where she bridges clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology to improve cancer care. Additionally, Ayelet leads the SPARC Entrepreneurship Program, a global incubator that empowers clinicians and researchers to transform bold ideas into impactful ventures.
With a background spanning R&D, product development, strategy, and cross-sector collaboration, she is passionate about transforming data into actionable insights that advance patient outcomes.

Dr. Maura Dickler

Roche

Dr. Maura Dickler is the Vice President and Global Head, Product Development Oncology, Breast and Gynecologic Cancers at Genentech/Roche since 2021.  She also serves as a Clinical Assistant Attending at Bellevue/NYU, precepting/teaching oncology fellows in clinic.

Prior to joining Roche, she served as VP of Late Phase Oncology Development at Eli Lilly from 2018-2021, and as an Associate Member of the Breast Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 1998-2018. While at MSKCC, her clinical research focused on developing new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. This included the development of biologically rational combinations of drugs targeting important pathways such as the ER, VEGFR, HER2, CDK and PI3K pathways.

She attended The College at the University of Chicago and earned her MD degree at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She completed her residency training at the University of Chicago Hospitals, followed by a fellowship in hematology/medical oncology at MSKCC.

Prof. Shani Paluch-Shimon
Hadassah University Hospital

Prof. Shani Paluch-Shimon is a pioneering breast medical oncologist and Director of Breast Oncology at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem. She serves as Chair of the National Israeli Breast Oncology Group and is a leading voice in shaping breast cancer policy and care in Israel and internationally. As a member of the Israeli National Cancer Council, she has helped drive national strategy, and globally, she has contributed to the ABC Global Alliance consensus on advanced breast cancer, the St. Gallen Consensus Panel on early breast cancer, and served as subject editor for the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) breast cancer guidelines.

Prof. Paluch-Shimon has been at the forefront of innovation in breast cancer care, notably founding Israel’s first dedicated program for young women with breast cancer. She chaired the International Conferences on Breast Cancer in Young Women (BCY) and is a member of the ESMO Breast Faculty, helping to shape the global research and treatment agenda.

Her work spans over 90 peer-reviewed publications, including landmark international guidelines such as the ESO-ESMO guidelines for breast cancer in young women and ESMO’s clinical practice recommendations for hereditary cancer prevention. Her research and leadership focus on high-impact areas of need: young women with breast cancer, BRCA-associated disease, and health equity in breast cancer outcomes.

Prof. Paluch-Shimon is recognized for her ability to translate evidence into practice, lead multidisciplinary innovation, and champion a more equitable and personalized future for breast cancer care.

Dr. Ayelet ShaiDr. Ayelet Shai

Rambam Health Care Campus

Dr. Ayelet Shai is the head of the Breast Cancer Unit in Rambam Health Care Center and the Head of the Oncology Department in the Technion Faculty of Medicine. She is leading the Quality Measures subcommittee in the National Council for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Diseases and serves as a member of the Ethics Chambers of the Israeli Medical Association.

Ayelet Shai has several research focuses: Treatment de-escalation, early markers of toxicity, and the interaction between psychological and socio- economical factors and treatment outcomes. She is also conducting research on medical ethics, focusing on health equity and ethical aspects of medical care of underserved populations. Dr. Shai is a PI in several international multi center studies conducted in Rambam Health Care Campus. She is an active member of the EORTC Breast Cancer Groups and is leading international research collaborations.

Dr. Irit Yaniv

Almeda Ventures

Dr. Yaniv is Co-founder and Chairperson of Almeda ventures, the first HealthTech focused public R&D partnership. As a senior manager, skilled physician, and experienced board member, she possesses a highly developed combination of leadership, decision making and business skills. She served as an Executive Director and Chairperson of Accelmed’s Innovation Hub portfolio companies. She is a co-founder of We@healthtech, a program aiming to propel junior women managers to executive positions in the health tech sector by mentoring them and putting them through an eight-month program of lectures and networking events.

Dr. Iris Adler

8400 Health Network

Head of Business Development and Global Partnerships at 8400 The Health Network.

Before joining 8400, Iris was the Health Tech Sector Lead at Start-Up Nation Central, leading health tech ecosystem strategy and programs, and creating business opportunities for startups with global MNCs, investors and hospitals.

Previously, Iris was an Emergency Medicine physician at Tel Aviv Medical Center, and a humanitarian aid missions’ leader both with IsraAID and the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs(Mashav), working with Syrian and African refugees. She is a public speaker selected for AIPAC’s 2016 conference keynote speech and IsraAID fundraising campaign. Iris was one of the founding team of Mirsham, the medical resident’s organization, and led the protest for just working conditions and a better public health system.

Iris holds an M.D. degree from Tel Aviv University and Global Impact studies at Reichman University.

Dr. Iris Adler is an observer in the Roche for a Better Future Advisory Committee.

Partners

In Collaboration with

Meet our team

Anat Arbel Shamir

Roche for a Better Future Program Lead & Public Policy Lead
Roche Israel

Zur Halperin

Head of Healthcare Innovation
Roche Israel

Rachel Eliyahu Melamed

Women’s Health and Lung Therapeutic Area Lead
Roche Israel

Yariv Becher

VP Business Development & Partnerships
Startup Nation Central

Omer Maron

Senior Manager, Programs & Business Operation
Startup Nation Central

Dr. Pazit Shaul

Women’s Health Medical manager
Roche Israel

Niki Ben Simon

Women’s Health Patient Journey Partner
Roche Israel

Galit Liberman

Women’s Health Marketing Enabler
Roche Israel

About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women worldwide, including in Israel, where it is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Over 5,000 women in Israel are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer annually, with approximately only 3% presenting with metastatic disease at diagnosis due to effective screening programs. Despite advances in treatment, approximately 1,000 women in Israel die from breast cancer each year.

The diagnosis of breast cancer involves a combination of imaging techniques and biopsy procedures to confirm the presence and subtype of the cancer. This journey is often complex and can take a significant amount of time, filled with feelings of concerns and stress, as patients encounter numerous challenges along the way.

The disease is classified into three main biological subtypes: HER2-positive tumors that overexpress HER2 receptors; hormone receptor-positive cancers driven by estrogen and/or progesterone; and triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks all three receptor types. Treatment strategies are tailored to these biological characteristics and may be administered intravenously, subcutaneously or intramuscular in medical centers, or orally at a patient’s home. Treatment decisions for breast cancer are made in a multidisciplinary manner, involving oncology specialists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and other healthcare professionals.

Recent advances in breast cancer care reflect a shift towards personalized medicine, with genomic testing enabling more precise risk assessment and treatment planning. Molecular profiling helps identify specific mutations that can be targeted with precision therapies. This personalized approach has revolutionized breast cancer management, resulting in improved outcomes, more targeted therapy selection, and enhanced quality of life for patients.

Digital health innovations are increasingly important in supporting breast cancer patients throughout their journey, facilitating remote monitoring, improving treatment adherence, enabling more personalized care approaches and enhancing quality of life. These technologies have the potential to transform breast cancer management, leading to potentially better outcomes, improved patient well-being and reduced healthcare burden.

Watch this video to learn more about Breast Cancer

FAQ

The Roche for a Better Future Breast Cancer Innovation Challenge & Pilot Program is a groundbreaking platform that offers an exclusive opportunity for one selected startup to run a medical pilot, funded by the program according to our Official Rules.

This pilot will enable you to validate your solution in a real-world healthcare setting, collaborate with leading clinical partners, and gain meaningful insights. In addition, you will receive a comprehensive mentorship package, a fast-track for submission to the Helsinki Committee and global exposure.

We are looking for digital health solutions that will significantly improve breast cancer patients’ lives by enhancing adherence and compliance, enabling better disease management, and improving the quality of life for patients.

This challenge is not equity nor investment focused.

Privately held companies formed and registered under the laws of Israel with a company ID (חפ), or technology transfer offices/entities of non-profit and/or governmental entities (such as universities, Medical Centers and health funds) (“TTO/s”), which develop a project/solution as defined by the Challenge.

We welcome solutions with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 and above.

English will be the official language.

The challenge will have both online and physical/hybrid presence, which will be communicated in advance.

For the meeting with the Advisory Committee, one person will be required to pitch the startup and solution. It is important to have a team member that can address all questions from the Advisory Committee members.

For the mentoring meetings, we advise at least two team members of your startup, one business-oriented and another more tech-oriented to be able to cover all types of conversations in the 1-on-1 sessions.

If your startup is selected as a finalist, you’ll be invited to:

  • A complimentary pitch training and camera workshop preparation sessions prior to the final event
  • A pitch meeting with the Advisory Committee that will take place at Startup Nation Central offices, 28 Lilienblum, Tel-Aviv (18.11.2025 16:30-20:30 Israel Time). In person attendance is a must.
  • A pitch before a local & global audience, as part of a hybrid final event that will take place at Start-Up Nation Central HQ, 28 Lilienblum, Tel-Aviv (26.11.2025, 17:00-19:30 Israel Time). In person attendance is a must.
  • A special tour at Sheba Medical Center.

If your startup is the winner, you will have the opportunity to implement a one-of-a-kind real-life pilot in Sheba Medical Center, with a fast track for submission to the Helsinki Committee. You will receive 50,000 NIS for piloting preparation, and you will be able to conduct a pilot at the Breast Cancer Institute, Sheba Medical Center, with a budget of up to 200,000 NIS. In addition, you will receive a comprehensive mentorship package, by leading experts from the clinical and business development worlds including:

  • 5 mentorship hours with a medical expert from the Breast Cancer Institute, Sheba Medical Center
  • 5 additional mentorship hours with experts from Sheba Medical Center, including a fast track for submission to the Helsinki Committee
  • 2 mentorship hours with Dr. Irit Yaniv, Co-founder and CEO, Almeda Ventures.

For more information, please see our Official Rules.

The selection process will be managed by the challenge team and an Advisory Committee consisting of breast cancer medical experts, and representatives of Sheba Medical Center, Roche global team, and venture capital. The Committee will be focusing on the quality of your founding team, interest area fit, runway, does your solution address a real need, maturity and timeline, novelty & effectiveness and general impression, and the compatibility of the pilot to be performed at Sheba Medical Center.

Yes, definitely. You can apply with as many solutions you believe would fit and benefit the program. Each startup will require its own application.

Contact Us

If you have any questions please contact us:

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

Startup Nation Central is a free-acting NGO providing global solution seekers frictionless access to Israel’s bold and impatient innovators to help tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

For more information, please visit: www.startupnationcentral.org

The Jusidman Cancer Center at Sheba Medical Center in Israel is a globally renowned facility specializing in innovative cancer treatment. It provides advanced diagnostic tools and therapies, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and personalized medicine, delivered through a multidisciplinary approach. Known for its innovation, the center uses cutting-edge technologies like robotic systems and modern radiation therapies for precise and effective treatments, while serving as a hub for groundbreaking oncology research.

Beyond medical care, the Jusidman Cancer Center emphasizes holistic support, offering mental health services, rehabilitation programs, and palliative care to enhance patients’ well-being. By combining clinical excellence, advanced research, and personalized care, the center has established itself as a leader in oncology, providing world-class treatment in a compassionate and patient-focused environment.

https://www.shebaonline.org/department/cancer-treatment-in-israel-the-cancer-center/

ARC Oncology is dedicated to advancing progress in the following key areas: fostering innovation through both organic development and collaborations with companies of all sizes, transforming operational processes, business development and harnessing real-world evidence data.

Central to our efforts is ‘OncoMind’—a state-of-the-art data laboratory that integrates comprehensive clinical information, treatment histories, genetic sequencing data, pathological insights, and more from patients across all our centers. This advanced infrastructure enables AI-driven research aimed at improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of oncology.

Together, these initiatives empower us to continuously advance cancer research and elevate patient care.

ARC (Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate), the innovation arm of Sheba Medical Center, founded and directed by Prof. Eyal Zimlichman, is shaping the future of medical innovation by connecting entrepreneurs and clinicians, advancing the development and implementation of new technologies, and creating breakthrough economic frameworks in healthcare. ARC’s unique model, the first of its kind in global healthcare, has evolved into a global blueprint, with a network of innovation centers in leading hospitals and research institutions across London, Melbourne, Singapore, Berlin, and New Zealand. ARC’s global network promotes technology-based medical solutions and accelerates the adoption of innovation within health systems worldwide.

ARC Sheba provides startups and researchers with exclusive access to Sheba’s core assets, clinical data and medical talent, while advancing the hospital’s vision to serve as a global hub for AI-driven medicine. Led by Avner Halperin, the model’s success has already led to exits totaling approximately $1 billion, with profits reinvested to further accelerate Sheba’s AI and data revolution.

Learn more about ARC at: https://arcinnovation.org/

8400 The Health Network accelerates growth in Israel’s health tech sector by bringing together key stakeholders to foster innovation and bridge gaps in the ecosystem.

For more information, please visit: https://www.8400thn.org/.

Almeda Ventures is the first HealthTech focused public R&D partnership. Almeda invests on a global basis while focusing on: medical devices, digital health and bio-convergence. Almeda was founded by Dr. Irit Yaniv, Amir Blatt and Tzahi Sultan in 2020; the fund invested in 10 companies so far. The team helps its portfolio companies to thrive using deep expertise, diverse background and extensive network with investors, strategics and medical centers worldwide. Almeda invests in exceptional teams with innovative solutions addressing major unmet needs with a proven clinical concept and business model. Almeda Ventures drives medical device and digital health companies for success by utilizing its extensive network and proven track record.

For more information please visit: https://www.almedaventures.com/