Birmingham-based Black Space Technology has developed a set of digital healthcare tools that allow clinicians to monitor patients and deliver treatment remotely in challenging environments. With tailored business growth support from Innovate UK, the company has secured more than £390,000 in grant funding, strengthened its intellectual property (IP) protection, forged international collaborations and is preparing for new investment as it scales.
Black Space Technology develops advanced software platforms that use artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data analytics to transform healthcare in extreme environments.
Its Rapid series of products enables clinicians and non-medically trained personnel to care for patients when direct access is not possible, improving survival rates in emergencies and strengthening the UK’s health security capabilities. It also creates global opportunities for British innovation, particularly in defence and humanitarian markets.
Dr David Morgan, CEO and Medical Director at Black Space Technology, says: “Our platform is designed to give clinicians the ability to monitor and treat patients in situations where direct access to care is impossible. From disaster zones to emergency settings, we believe this technology can save lives and reduce pressure on frontline services.”
Innovate UK resources lay foundations for growth
Black Space Technology began working with Innovate UK Business Growth in 2023. Innovation and Growth Specialist, Andrew Shortt, carried out a detailed needs assessment to identify the most productive routes to scale. Together, they developed a tailored action plan that prioritised intellectual property (IP), funding, regulatory strategy and internationalisation – each identified as key areas to advance the company’s growth priorities.
Strengthening its approach to IP was an essential early step. An IP Audit, delivered by the Intellectual Property Office and made available to Innovate UK Business Growth clients, helped the company identify risks and align its intangible assets with commercial goals – laying the groundwork for long-term protection and investor confidence.
With guidance from Andrew on regional opportunities, the company secured £150,000 from the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator in July 2024. The award strengthened its position in the regional health tech cluster and provided resources to advance its Rapid suite of products toward market readiness, including the development of a solution for major incidents that allows emergency services to share information in real time and prioritise treatment for multiple casualties at once. This has created a platform for further growth and international collaboration.
Strong business model and investment readiness
Working closely with Andrew, the company refined its funding strategy, shaped its pitch and developed the business model to provide the basis for sustainable job creation and scaling.
These steps helped build investor confidence by showing that the company had a clear path from product development milestones to commercial scaling. Strengthening its IP and regulatory planning early on also meant Black Space Technology could present itself to investors as a business built on solid foundations.
Dr Morgan adds: “Innovate UK Business Growth support has helped us clarify our funding strategy, refine our business model and strengthen our positioning for partnerships. It has given us the confidence to approach potential investors and partners knowing that our plans are robust and aligned with market opportunities.”
Internationalisation opens new markets
International growth was prioritised as a parallel strand of the action plan. Innovate UK helped facilitate international connections through its role as an Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) International Network Partner, leading to early discussions with potential collaborators in Europe.
This allowed Black Space Technology to enhance its international profile, emphasising the secure and resilient aspects of its products, and opened pathways into Horizon Europe collaborations, bilateral grants and commercial partnerships across healthcare and defence.
Building further momentum, the company then won £240,000 Eureka Globalstars Japan grant, part of Innovate UK’s collaboration with Japan. The work focuses on delivering healthcare solutions for remote and underserved regions, supporting the World Health Organization’s Vision 2030 initiative on eye health.
Working with a UK university and a Japanese technology company, Black Space Technology is developing an AI-enhanced digital slit lamp integrated with its telemedicine platform. This portable and affordable solution will make advanced eye diagnostics more accessible, helping to overcome barriers such as cost and limited access to specialists.
The company has also adhered to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, ensuring that its software products are developed for compliance and acceptance in both the UK and international markets.
Dr Morgan explains: “This is a clear example of how targeted support for UK innovation can lead to meaningful global collaboration and impact. Through the Globalstars grant, we are building relationships in Japan that would have been extremely difficult to access on our own, accelerating our development and helping to position the UK as a leader in remote healthcare innovation.”
Building business resilience through innovation
With Innovate UK’s support, Black Space Technology is embedding its Rapid suite into frontline healthcare and emergency response systems. The company is now better positioned to attract investment, create high-value jobs and scale its innovation for national and global impact.
By improving the speed and effectiveness of care in critical situations, its innovations contribute to greater workforce resilience, enhanced public safety and long-term productivity gains for the UK economy.
The company’s achievements have also been recognised nationally and internationally. It was named Winner of ‘Emerging Technology’ at the British Computer Society’s UK IT Industry Awards 2024 and received Highly Commended in ‘Healthcare’ at the Department for Business and Trade’s ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards 2025.’
Dr Morgan concludes: “The breadth of support we’ve received from Innovate UK Business Growth has been invaluable. From protecting our ideas to opening doors internationally, the guidance has helped us grow with confidence and keep our focus on delivering innovation that benefits society.”
The breadth of support we’ve received from Innovate UK Business Growth has been invaluable. From protecting our ideas to opening doors internationally, the guidance has helped us grow with confidence and keep our focus on delivering innovation that benefits society.
– Dr David Morgan, CEO and Medical Director at Black Space Technology