- healthStay
- Jan 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 16
Demo Day at Hub71 marked a defining milestone for healthStay, taking place during Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) — one of the world’s leading global finance and innovation events. The day brought together all start-ups from Hub71 Cohort 17, each pitching to a large audience of investors, leaders, and innovators from around the world.
The event marked the conclusion of the three-month Focused Access Programme at Hub71. While this phase has officially ended, the journey continues, with Hub71’s support and engagement extending for a further nine months.
🚀 Showcasing healthStay on a Global Stage
Pitching at Demo Day during ADFW placed healthStay at the centre of a global innovation spotlight. The event was attended by some of the most influential entrepreneurs and leaders in the world, including Bill Gates, making it an unforgettable experience for the entire cohort.
For healthStay, it was an opportunity to present what we’re building, share our traction to date, and outline the vision behind our platform — all within one of the most dynamic start-up ecosystems globally.
🤝 Private Leadership Roundtables
One of the standout moments of the week was being invited to a private roundtable with Hub71 leadership, led by CEO Ahmed Ali Alwan. healthStay was honoured to take part alongside an Irish delegation that included representatives from the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, and Minister for Trade and Enterprise Peter Burke.
During the session, healthStay was given the spotlight to share insights into our product, progress, and growth to date — a moment that reflected both the strength of the company and the wider support ecosystem behind it.
💡 Learning From World-Class Founders
Another highlight of the week was a founder-only private roundtable with Mark Randolph, co-founder of Netflix. Hearing first-hand about his journey — from facing hundreds of venture capital rejections to building one of the world’s most influential companies — was both inspiring and grounding.
Experiences like this reinforced the importance of resilience, long-term thinking, and learning directly from those who have already navigated the challenges of scaling globally.
🌱 A Cohort That Will Last a Lifetime
Beyond the pitches and high-profile meetings, one of the most meaningful aspects of the Hub71 journey has been the relationships formed within Cohort 17. Sharing this experience with such a talented group of founders and startups created a strong sense of community and collaboration.
“It was such an honour to share a cohort with so many talented entrepreneurs and amazing start-ups. We’ve become very close to many of them and made friendships that will last a lifetime.”— Sean Conaty, Co-Founder & CEO, healthStay
🔮 Looking Ahead
Demo Day may mark the end of one chapter, but for healthStay, it signals the beginning of the next. With continued support from Hub71 and a growing international network, our focus remains on building technology that simplifies global patient care and empowers hospitals worldwide.
Grateful for the journey so far — and excited for what’s ahead.
