Specialist clinic honored as an innovative medium-sized company
The Sportklinik Hellersen is one of the most innovative medium-sized facilities in Germany and has been awarded the TOP 100 seal 2026. The innovation competition recognizes a clinic that systematically combines modern medical technology, highly specialized care structures and international cooperation. The award ceremony will take place on June 26, 2026 as part of the German SME Summit in Heidelberg.
Innovation according to scientific standards
The award is based on a scientifically sound selection process with more than 100 test criteria. The analysis focuses on how much working time management reserves for innovation and how many innovative ideas employees contribute.
Innovation researcher Professor Nikolaus Franke and his team examine five categories: Innovation-promoting top management, innovation climate, innovation processes and organization, external orientation/open innovation and innovation success. "At TOP 100, we thoroughly and comprehensively analyze how innovation-oriented the applicants are. And the TOP 100 seal of approval is awarded to those that are outstanding," says Professor Nikolaus Franke.
International networking as a driver of innovation
A key driver of the innovation strategy at Sportklinik Hellersen is consistent international networking. Under the Hellersen Hospital brand, the clinic systematically expands international cooperation, participates in global professional exchange and develops new care and training concepts together with partners abroad. The structured transfer of knowledge across national borders makes it possible to identify medical innovations at an early stage, develop them further and integrate them sustainably into clinical practice.
"International exchange is a key driver of innovation for us," explains Dirk Burghaus, CEO of Sportklinik Hellersen. "It enables us to learn from each other, continuously develop medical quality and transfer innovations to the care of our patients more quickly."
Robotics as part of a holistic innovation strategy
A visible example of the technological implementation of the innovation strategy at regional level is the robotics center at the Hellersen Sports Clinic. The clinic integrated robot-assisted procedures into endoprosthetics at an early stage and combines modern surgical technology with a high level of surgical expertise. Robotics is firmly embedded in specialized care structures and supports precise, standardized and at the same time individually adapted procedures.
"Modern technologies such as robotics develop their added value above all when they are consistently combined with a high level of medical expertise and clearly structured treatment processes," emphasizes Dirk Burghaus, Chairman of the Management Board of Sportklinik Hellersen.
Specialization in medical centers and specialist areas
Technological development is closely linked to the clinic's consistent specialization. In medical centers such as the Centre for Artificial Joint Replacement, the German Spine and Scoliosis Centre, the Centre for Special Pain Medicine and specialized departments, the Sportklinik Hellersen bundles its expertise, promotes interdisciplinary cooperation and creates structures that enable innovation in a targeted manner. "Specialization, modern organizational structures and international networking are inseparable for us," emphasizes Dirk Burghaus and continues: "The TOP 100 award confirms our path and is also an incentive to continue developing medical innovation responsibly."
TOP 100: the competition
Since 1993, TOP 100 has been recognizing medium-sized companies for special innovative strength and sustainable innovation success. Professor Nikolaus Franke from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration is the scientific director. The mentor of the competition is former German President Christian Wulff.
Press contact
Sarah Burghaus
Head of Marketing, PR & Customer Service, Press Officer
sarah.burghaus@hellersen.de
Marketing & PR
marketing@hellersen.de
