International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences

What International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences does

ISCOMS (International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences) is a non-profit, student-led organization founded in 1993 that hosts one of the world's leading annual international student congresses in (bio)medical sciences. The five-day congress takes place each year at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands, bringing together undergraduate and graduate students in Medicine, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Biomedical Engineering, Human Movement Sciences, and Life Science and Technology to present original research, attend keynote lectures (including Nobel laureates such as Günter Blobel in 2008 and Prof. Robert Langer in 2023), participate in workshops, clinical operations, and Meet the Expert sessions, and engage in a social programme. ISCOMS 2026 drew 589 total participants, including 322 presenting participants, from 62 countries, with 498 abstracts submitted of which 360 were selected.

Name

International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences

Legal name

International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences

Website

https://iscoms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ISCOMS is a non-profit student-led organization that hosts an annual international (bio)medical sciences congress at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, serving undergraduate and graduate students from more than 60 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Conference Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAGAGAF

Healthcare & Medical Congresses

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Conventions & Conferences (Business Events)

SECONDARYTHAHACAD

Medical, Scientific & Healthcare Congress Organizers

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

SECONDARYMPAGAGAD

Academic & Scientific Conferences

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Conventions & Conferences (Business Events)

SECONDARYTHAHAJAB

Life Sciences & Biotechnology Congresses

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Association, Government & Academic Congresses

Keywords

• Student congress
• Biomedical sciences
• Medical research conference
• Student research platform
• Academic event services

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Congress Registration Fees: Students pay registration fees to attend the congress. The fees cover participation in all scientific sessions, workshops, social events, and access to congress materials.
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors and partners provide financial support. The Sponsors & Fundraising Committee manages these relationships, including the Corporate Member Meeting introduced in 2022.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ISCOMS organizes an annual five-day international student congress in (bio)medical sciences held at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands. The congress provides a platform for undergraduate and graduate students in Medicine, Pharmacy, Biology, Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences and related fields to present original research, attend keynote lectures, workshops, clinical operations, and networking events. Supporting offerings include the ISCOMS Research Fellowships (post-congress research internships at UMCG), the ISCOMS App, the ISCOMS Podcast, Travel Grants, and the digital Book of Abstracts.

Product overview

ISCOMS (International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences) is a non-profit student-led organization that runs a single primary offering: the annual ISCOMS Congress, a five-day international conference held at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands. The congress is the core product, providing a platform for (bio)medical students worldwide to present research, attend keynote lectures, workshops, and networking events. Supporting the congress are several modules and services: the ISCOMS Research Fellowships (for post-congress research internships at UMCG), the ISCOMS App (for schedule and content access), the ISCOMS Podcast (speaker stories), Travel Grants and Sustainable Travel Grants (financial support), the Sustainability Award (recognition), and the Book of Abstracts (digital publication). These services are all integrated around the central congress event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISCOMS Annual Congress The main annual five-day international student congress featuring research presentations, keynote lectures, workshops, oral sessions, poster sessions, live surgery demonstrations (Operation), patient lectures, Meet the Expert sessions, and a social programme including formal dinner and World Wide ISCOMS Night. Targeted at undergraduate and graduate (bio)medical students worldwide.
• ISCOMS Research Fellowships (IRF) Short-term research internships at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) available to presenting participants, allowing students to work in various biomedical research groups following the congress. Several participants have gone on to pursue PhD programs at UMCG as a result.
• ISCOMS App Mobile application providing participants with access to schedules, congress updates, and the digital Book of Abstracts via QR code.
• ISCOMS Podcast Podcast featuring inspiring speakers sharing their stories within the biomedical field, launched as a permanent feature in the lead-up to the congress.
• Digital Book of Abstracts Digital compilation of research abstracts submitted and selected for presentation at the congress, accessible via QR code and the ISCOMS App.
• Travel Grants

Quantifiable outcome

• 589 participants from 62 countries in 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• IFMSA-NL (International Federation of Medical Students Associations of the Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFMSA-NL is an organisation for Dutch medical students represented at each of the eight medical faculties, with 900 active members. Part of the global IFMSA network connecting over 1.5 million medical students from 133 national organisations across 123 countries worldwide.
• AMSA (Asian Medical Students' Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak representative organisation for medical students from Asia and Asia-Pacific. Founded in Manila, Philippines in 1985, encompassing over 30 member countries and more than 25,000 active medical students.
• EMSA (European Medical Students Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organisation representing medical students from across Europe. Founded 1990 in Brussels, uniting 96 medical faculties in 24 European countries. Recognised by the European Parliament, European Commission, Council of Europe and WHO Regional Office for Europe.
• EPSA (European Pharmaceutical Students' Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organisation of European pharmaceutical students' associations, representing more than 100,000 students in 36 European countries with 44 member associations.
• European MD/PhD Association (EMPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organisation bringing together healthcare students and graduates with an interest in science from across Europe. Creates a network connecting MD/PhD candidates and organises scientific events including webinars and annual conferences.
• TAMSA (Tanzania Medical Student Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForemost national organisation for medical students in Tanzania, uniting students from 14 medical schools. Amplifies voices of over 18,000 medical students from Tanzania on a global stage.
• University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerISCOMS is hosted at UMCG, one of the largest academic hospitals in the Netherlands. UMCG provides the venue, research facilities, and researchers who serve as supervisors for ISCOMS Research Fellowships. UMCG's fundamental and clinical research ranks among international scientific elite.
• University of GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISCOMS collaborates closely with the University of Groningen, which co-hosts the congress with UMCG. The University contributes academic prestige and student population from its programs.
• AIMS Meeting (Annual International Medical Students)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational medical congress hosted at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, organized by students annually in April.
• YES Meeting (Young European Scientist)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual international student conference held at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Portugal. Focused on promoting junior research in the biomedical field.
• ICHAMS (International Conference for Healthcare and Medical Students)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIreland's first student-led conference, founded at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in Dublin in 2010.
• ICOCIMS (International student Congress on Clinical Innovation and Medical Sciences)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational biomedical student conference taking place in Parma, Italy, fostering scientific dissemination and networking among students from diverse backgrounds.
• MEDICS (Medical International Conference for Students)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain event organised by the Scientific Organisation of Medical Students (SOMS). Brings together science enthusiasts worldwide for conferences, workshops, and social events.
• ICMS (International Congress of Medical Sciences)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganised by the Association of Medical Students in Bulgaria, Sofia (AMSB-Sofia). Provides opportunity for students and young doctors to present research through poster and oral sessions.
• LIMSC (Leiden International (Bio)Medical Student Conference)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe largest biennial student conference in the world, founded in 1999. Takes place at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).
• Panacea (Medical Faculty Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudy association of Medicine in Groningen, founded in 1987. Looks after interests of medical students in Groningen by evaluating curriculum and organising various activities.
• ALIS (Anatolian Latin International Symposium)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical student conference taking place at Acibadem University in Istanbul, Turkey.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ICHAMS (International Conference for Healthcare and Medical Students): Ireland's first student-led conference, founded at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in Dublin in 2010. A direct peer competing for European (bio)medical student abstract submissions and participants.
• ICOCIMS (International student Congress on Clinical Innovation and Medical Sciences): International biomedical student conference taking place in Parma, Italy, fostering scientific dissemination and networking. Listed by ISCOMS as a cross-promotion partner and a direct comparable.
• MEDICS (Medical International Conference for Students): Main event organised by the Scientific Organisation of Medical Students (SOMS), bringing together science enthusiasts worldwide. Comparable to ISCOMS as a student-organized medical research congress and a listed cross-promotion partner.
• ICMS (International Congress of Medical Sciences): Organised by the Association of Medical Students in Bulgaria (AMSB-Sofia), providing an opportunity for students and young doctors to present research through poster and oral sessions. Direct peer in the international student (bio)medical congress category.
• AIMS Meeting (Annual International Medical Students): Annual international medical congress held at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, organized by students each April. ISCOMS explicitly lists it as a cross-promotion partner, confirming direct peer status for biomedical student congresses.
• YES Meeting (Young European Scientist Meeting): Annual international student conference held at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, focused on promoting junior research in the biomedical field. A direct ISCOMS cross-promotion partner targeting the same student-researcher pool.
• LIMSC - Leiden International (Bio)Medical Student Conference: Founded in 1999 and hosted at Leiden University Medical Center, LIMSC is described in ISCOMS data as 'the largest biennial student conference in the world.' It competes directly with ISCOMS for the same international (bio)medical student audience in the Netherlands.

Broad incumbents

• EMSA - European Medical Students' Association: Non-profit federation uniting 96 medical faculties in 24 European countries, recognized by the EU institutions and WHO. A strategic ISCOMS partner that sits one level above as a continental membership body.
• AMSA - Asian Medical Students' Association: Peak representative organisation for medical students from Asia and Asia-Pacific, encompassing over 30 member countries and 25,000+ active students. Strategic ISCOMS partner representing a comparable continental medical-student constituency.
• IFMSA - International Federation of Medical Students' Associations: Global umbrella federation connecting over 1.5 million medical students from 133 national organisations across 123 countries. It does not run a single congress but its national chapters coordinate events; IFMSA-NL is a direct ISCOMS partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ISCOMS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ISCOMS2012
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISCOMS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/internationalstudentcongressofbiomedicalsciences-iscoms
• Instagraminstagram.com/iscoms
• TikToktiktok.com/@iscoms2026

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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