Digital health businesses called on to solve NHS challenges with innovation
SMEs in East Midlands, Manchester, and South West England can compete to join innovative regional digital health accelerators.
From today, SMEs across four UK regions can compete to join innovative regional digital health accelerators, launched for the first time outside of London to help develop and deploy digital solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the NHS.
The new scheme builds on the success of the London-based DigitalHealth.London Accelerator, and will launch across three additional locations for the first time today: East Midlands, Manchester, and South West England. Each accelerator will select companies with digital innovations that match NHS needs. The accelerators will ensure that thousands of people benefit from latest technologies to improve their health and that high potential companies grow faster, supporting economic growth across the regions.
Previously, the digital health accelerator initiative had only operated in London, where it has supported the growth of technologies including smartphone app that slashes A&E waiting times, a digital lifestyle management platform that can reverse type 2 diabetes, and a “USB port for the body” that can host a bionic limb.
Building on this model, the successful SMEs in each new region will receive:
- One-to-one support from a designated “NHS Navigator”
- Specialist training
- Support with product development
- Opportunities to meet experts from business, clinical, and government backgrounds
- Regular opportunities to showcase their products with NHS decision-makers and influencers
The existing London-based programme has worked with 61 companies and provided 600 hours of support, helped secure 27 research collaborations, and supported companies to launch 25 new products. Additionally, alumni have secured more than £15M in funding, and 12 NHS contracts.
Companies interested in taking part should apply at: www.digitalhealthaccelerator.fluidreview.com