Revitalized by Innovation Through My Experience at HLTH Amsterdam
- Brainz Magazine
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Neill Dunwoody is a passionate professional who thrives on innovation and collaboration. He is the founder of Spryt, Chief Talent Strategist, and Head of Ireland with Tribes.
HLTH Amsterdam wasn’t just another conference; it was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. For a few intense days, the focus wasn’t on problems we can’t fix or systems that feel immovable. It was on solutions, momentum, and people who are genuinely moving healthcare forward. And being part of that, representing Spryt alongside my cofounder Daragh, was nothing short of energizing.
Our booth became a magnet for meaningful conversations
At Spryt, we’re focused on making healthcare more efficient, intuitive, and human. So, to be surrounded by so many other innovators with that same mission felt like the exact right place to be. Our booth quickly became more than just a display; it turned into a conversation hub.
We talked with clinicians who had firsthand stories about workflow burnout. We met digital health veterans looking for ways to partner on interoperability. We connected with early-stage founders and enterprise leaders alike, and the feedback we got on what we’re building was both validating and sharp—exactly the kind of real-time, face-to-face engagement you can’t replicate online.
Some of the best conversations started with a simple “Tell me about Spryt,” and ended with phrases like “Let’s follow up next week” or “This could actually solve a huge pain point we’ve been dealing with.” That kind of resonance doesn’t happen every day.
Daragh stepped up in the startup competition
One of the standout moments for me was seeing my cofounder Daragh take the stage in the startup competition. Pitching in front of that room, a crowd packed with investors, operators, and skeptics, takes guts, and he nailed it. Crisp. Confident. Grounded in our mission.
He didn’t just pitch our tech; he pitched our why. The real-world frustration behind the fragmented systems we’re working to fix. The ripple effect of every wasted minute for a provider, and every missed opportunity for a patient. Watching that pitch land with the room reminded me that we’re not just building a product; we’re part of a much bigger movement to make healthcare better, smarter, and fairer.
Beyond the booth: Real talk at networking events
Outside the official programming, HLTH shined just as brightly. The after-hours networking events—on rooftops, patios, and canal sides—were packed with sharp people, good questions, and unexpected insights. These weren’t surface-level chats. They were grounded, energizing, and sometimes even challenging in the best way.
I spoke with leaders rethinking reimbursement, engineers reimagining the patient experience, and strategists diving deep into the ethics of AI in clinical settings. One conversation over drinks ended with a serious exchange of contact info and a “We should actually try something together.” Another turned into a brainstorming session on how to make data-sharing between platforms less of a nightmare.
It’s those unscripted moments that remind you: healthcare is full of smart, passionate people who are done with the status quo.
A global view with local urgency
HLTH Amsterdam wasn’t just a European conference; it was global in every sense. Whether I was chatting with a founder from Berlin, a policymaker from Dubai, or a health system lead from Sweden, the challenges felt familiar. Access, affordability, provider burnout, tech that overpromises and underdelivers, it’s universal.
But what was even more striking was how many solutions, like Spryt, are rising from the ground up, based on real-world feedback and lived experience. There’s no one-size-fits-all playbook, but there’s a shared urgency to get this right.
What I took home
By the time I left Amsterdam, I was running on very little sleep, but a full tank of inspiration. HLTH showed me that the future of healthcare isn’t coming; it’s already here, being built by people who care deeply and work relentlessly.
For me, the event wasn’t just about visibility or networking. It was about alignment – seeing our work at Spryt resonate with others, watching Daragh pitch with passion, and engaging with people at every level of the ecosystem who are all pulling in the same direction.
We’re not just part of a trend; we’re part of a transformation.
And after HLTH, I’m more convinced than ever: healthcare will get better. Not because it’s easy, but because so many of us are refusing to settle for anything less.
Read more from Neill Dunwoody
Neill Dunwoody, Founder and Talent Strategist
As the co-founder and COO of Spryt and Chief Talent Strategist and Director at Tribes, I lead two disruptive startups transforming healthcare and tech talent and digital transformation. Spryt's AI receptionist, ASA, reduces patient no-shows by offering 24/7 appointment management via messaging platforms like WhatsApp, increasing patient engagement by 160%. Tribes connect businesses with prequalified tech talent and run an award-winning digital studio. I also advise Manna, Prommt, and HR Duo, working on cutting-edge drone delivery, payments, and AI-driven HR solutions. A HIMSS Pitchfest winner, I use my 812k TikTok and 426k Instagram followers to advocate for innovation. My focus remains on building companies that solve real problems.
