MCH Group and Bits & Pretzels launch Basel healthtech conference

(CONNECT) The MCH Group and Bits & Pretzels have established the health.tech global summit. This is set to take place for the first time March 2-5, 2026, in Basel. With this, the Basel-based firm for experience marketing and the company from Munich are seeking to jointly create a leading innovation platform for the entire healthcare ecosystem, as detailed in a press release issued by MCH. In total, 5,000 participants from 60 countries are expected to be in attendance at the event.

To this end, the MCH Group, which also organizes Art Basel in Basel, Hong Kong, Paris, and Miami Beach, has acquired a 50 percent stake in the existing health-tech events AG. Behind this company are the organizers of Bits & Pretzels, Europe’s largest founders festival that takes place during Oktoberfest in Munich since 2013. Since 2022, Bits & Pretzels has also hosted the health.tech conference in Munich. Founding partners of the conference include the Basel-based pharmaceutical company Roche and EIT Health. “In 2026, we enter our boldest chapter yet”, as health.tech writes on its website to announce its relocation to Basel.

“The conference will serve as a catalyst for established innovation players and ambitious start-ups, in addition to opening up new business opportunities and unlocking growth potential”, comments Andrea Zappia, Interim CEO of the MCH Group. “Our goal is to offer industry stakeholders a place for exchange, inspiration and concrete collaborations – and in this way to strengthen the Basel region and the health sector over the long term”.

Bernd Storm van’s Gravesande, co-founder of Bits & Pretzels, considers the healthtech sector to be one of the most exciting and fastest-growing industries: “The Basel region offers a dynamic, international ecosystem for this. We are delighted to be able to contribute our experience in building technology communities and to jointly create a platform with international appeal”. ce/mm