Proofs of Concept (PoCs) in Healthtech and Edtech: A Report on Best Practices
Keywords:
Open innovation, proofs of concept (PoCs), innovation ecosystems, edtech, healthtechAbstract
This article presents a report on best practices regarding the design and
impacts of Proof of Concept (PoC) programs conducted at Tecnopuc, the Science and
Technology Park of the Pontifícial Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
(PUCRS), through the thematic hubs for innovation in education (EduX) and innovation
in health (Biohub). The objective is to analyze the effectiveness of open innovation
methodological cycles in validating complex technologies in real and controlled
environments (schools and hospitals). The methodology details the selection process
via: the “innovation funnel”; the diagnostic phase; and the execution of technical
feasibility and usability tests over a 90-day period. The results obtained in the 2024
cycles reveal significant gains in operational efficiency at partner hospitals and
pedagogical engagement, demonstrating that the institutional anchoring promoted by
the hubs mitigates implementation risks and accelerates the adoption of innovations. It
is concluded that Tecnopuc’s PoC model acts as an essential technology curation
strategy for the development of startups in highly regulated sectors.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Guilherme Donadel, Rafael Reimann Baptista, Karen Sica
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
