Business hubs where life science companies co-locate in order to share infrastructure exist almost everywhere. But not all business hubs support basic science, let alone national healthcare systems. EIT Health is different. The group is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology which was set up in 2015 to promote the interface between industry, science and public healthcare systems. At conference in Paris on 2 to 3 December, members of the consortium met to discuss issues facing healthcare – and to congratulate a new crop of entrepreneurs.