From bar idea to award-winning healthcare innovation: the journey of Momo Medical
On March 27, 2026, the story of Dutch healthtech company Momo Medical was highlighted as an example of how perseverance and a shift in mindset can turn a promising idea into a successful healthcare innovation.
Starting with a problem
Momo Medical began as a student project by electrical engineering students Menno Gravemaker and Ide Swager, who were challenged to address real-world problems faced by Reinier de Graaf Hospital in Delft. One issue stood out: pressure ulcers.
What started as a conversation in a university bar quickly evolved into a shared ambition to develop a solution. The team created a sensor plate placed under a mattress, enabling healthcare professionals to monitor how long a patient remained in one position and when repositioning was needed.
With support from Take-off funding (Phase 1 and 2) and participation in the Venture Challenge, the team developed prototypes and validated that hospitals were willing to pay for the solution.
When adoption falls short
Despite promising results, the product saw limited use after clinical testing. The reason was unexpected but critical: the actual end users, night-shift nurses, had not been sufficiently involved.
“They simply didn’t have time for additional tasks,” Gravemaker explains.
This realisation marked a turning point.
A shift in direction
Determined to understand the problem, Gravemaker reached out directly to nurses, even calling them during night shifts. These conversations revealed a different and more urgent need: reducing workload.
Momo Medical pivoted. The focus shifted from preventing pressure ulcers in hospitals to supporting nursing staff in care homes. The company developed the Momo BedSense sensor and a companion app, providing insights into residents’ movement and sleep patterns.
This allows caregivers to prioritise their work more effectively, improving both efficiency and quality of care.
From researcher to entrepreneur
The pivot also marked a personal transition for Gravemaker. After his co-founder stepped away, he had to quickly develop entrepreneurial skills such as pitching and fundraising.
“The biggest shift is moving from seeking the perfect solution to creating something that works in practice,” he reflects.
Falling in love with the problem
This mindset became the company’s most important lesson:
“We were too in love with our solution, while you should fall in love with the problem.”
By focusing on real user needs, Momo Medical achieved significant growth. The team expanded from around 25 employees in 2019 to 150 today, with ambitions to continue scaling internationally.
In 2023, the company won the public award of the Nationale Zorginnovatieprijs, supported by votes from healthcare professionals.
Building solutions that matter
Momo Medical’s journey highlights the importance of close collaboration with end users. By observing daily workflows and understanding real challenges, startups can develop solutions that are not only innovative, but also adopted in practice.
Source: NWO
