Biomedical Catalyst: Accelerating Femtech

Accelerating FemTech is open to up to 20 early-stage companies, university spinouts and academic entrepreneurs that meet the following criteria:

Early-stage companies, university spinouts and academic entrepreneurs

This year, we’re broadening our Accelerating FemTech programme to support and champion innovations from early-stage companies, university spinouts and academic entrepreneurs.
You can apply for Accelerating FemTech without forming a company. As part of the programme, we support innovators to prepare for Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst, in collaboration with Medical Research Council. In order to be eligible for this funding, you must form a company.

FemTech innovators

Accelerating FemTech is tailored especially for innovators addressing urgent challenges in women’s health. We’re looking for innovators who have developed a FemTech solution and are looking to take it to the next level.

UK based

Accelerating FemTech utilises funding from Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council. This means only UK based academics, university spin-outs and SMEs can apply for Accelerating FemTech.

In addition, to apply for the subsequent Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst funding for a project, all of the project work must be carried out in the UK and intend to exploit the results from or in the UK.

We welcome founders of all genders who have a product in this space.

The programme supports early-stage companies, university spinouts and entrepreneurial-minded academics from across the UK, who are looking to take their early-stage innovation to the next level. These innovations should address current challenges in women’s health, including menstruation management, chronic pelvic pain, maternity and neonatal safety, cervical screening and more.

We would like the programme to be inclusive of innovations for trans women, and we would encourage any innovators creating products in this space to apply to the programme.

FemTech also includes general health conditions that affect women disproportionally or differently, such as orthopaedic knee injuries, cardiovascular disease or osteoporosis.

• Insightful workshops from subject experts on regulation, marketing, pitching and more
• Individual support to navigate the NHS and engage with key stakeholders
• Meetings with mentors and business coaches to help champion the important work taking place at your university or company
• Opportunities to network and collaborate with peers from across the FemTech industry
• Tailored support to prepare for Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst, with funding to develop your innovation

The second cohort will run between November 2024 and March 2025.

The 10 week programme will require you to commit to spend at least one days per week on average in order to benefit from the programme.

The programme will require physical attendance to some events, with dates to be confirmed. For example, during the 10 week Accelerating FemTech learning programme, two days of your time will be required.

The 10 week programme will require you to commit to spend at least one day per week on average from 18^th November to the end of March 2025 to benefit from the programme.

The programme will require physical attendance at three events. These are Tuesday 19 November 2024 and Wednesday 20 November 2024, Wednesday 22 January 2025 and Thursday 23 January 2025, and Thursday 6 March 2025.

Please see the list of frequently asked questions for further queries.