Global Incubator Programme: USA (Houston) Healthtech – Medical Devices
Delivered in partnership with the Texas Medical Center Innovation (TMCi), Houston, USA and supported by the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), this Global Incubator Programme (GIP) will give medical device companies the opportunity to explore and exploit collaborative innovation and growth opportunities in the US market.
Opportunity Details
When
Registration Opens
14/04/2025
Registration Closes
30/05/2025
Award
Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation, in-market travel, and any additional fees for successful applicants. Innovate UK will also pay for any reasonable adjustments throughout the initiative. Only one representative from each company will be funded.
Note: this opportunity is fully funded support and not monetary funding.
Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme is an acceleration programme for innovative companies to work with world-leading incubators abroad.
We are currently accepting applications for up to 8 high potential medical device companies to join our programme.
The Programme is delivered in partnership with the Texas Medical Center Innovation (TMCi), Houston, USA and supported by the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), as part of the UK TMC BioBridge agreement.
We are looking for businesses with the ambition and commitment to scale globally. The programme best suits businesses that already have some traction and sales in the UK that are now looking to innovate their products and services through building global partnerships and collaborations to accelerate their growth and scaling journey.
We are committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of this programme. As such we welcome applications from those under-represented in the healthtech sector.
In partnership with the Texas Medical Center
Texas Medical Center (TMC) — the largest medical complex in the world is at the forefront of advancing life sciences. Housing the brightest medical minds, its 50 million sq. ft. campus annually serves 10 million patients, conducts 180,000+ surgeries, 750,000 ER visits, 14,000 heart surgeries, and delivers 25,000+ babies.
The TMC Accelerator offers emerging medical device pioneers’ access to the world’s largest medical city. It’s the prime hub for international firms, as TMC’s clinical, business, and expert insights shape market entry, growth, and commercialisation strategies. Since 2015, TMC has dedicatedly supported startups aiming to expand in the US.
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- Getting ready for the market: Work with an Innovate UK Business Growth Innovation & Growth Specialist to develop a Strategic Action Plan for the Programme.
- Workspace: Flexible workspace that can scale with company needs.
- Masterclasses, workshops and panel speakers: Online group learning insight sessions to assist in all aspects of US business formation and scaleup.
- Connections and Access: Gain access to the largest medical complex in the world with curated network access via TMCi’s team.
- Mentoring: Receive country-specific mentoring from trusted experts in the Healthtech sector.
- Innovation community: Participate in a vibrant community of Healthtech entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
- Pitching opportunities: Access to investor, corporate and strategic partner networks in the US during the Programme and at a Final Showcase event in Houston in March 2026.
- Market visits: Two intensive market visits to Houston are planned as part of this initiative in September 2025 and March 2026.
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As a hub for medical device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and health research, Houston has more than 1,760 life sciences companies, cutting-edge health care facilities and research institutions. The healthcare and life sciences industries collectively employ 320,500 workers.
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We would welcome applications from innovative companies who could be developing technologies across a broad range of use cases including (but not limited to):
- Clinical Decision Support
- Software as a Medical
- Device
- Surgical Tools
- Therapeutic Devices
- Robotics
- Monitoring Devices
- Diagnostic Platforms
- Devices to Support
- Women’s Health
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This Programme is aimed at innovative medical device companies that have:
- A novel / innovative solution with an identified regulatory pathway and demonstrated feasibility.
- A strong leadership team ready to dedicate time in Houston at the TMC Innovation Factory to build relationships with advisors, investors, clinical champions and decision makers.
- A willingness to adapt and openness to incorporate the feedback and guidance provided by experts in our network.
- An initial US value proposition and a hypothesis about how to reduce cost, drive quality and increase revenue in the US healthcare provider market.
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Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation and group airport transfer fees for successful applicants. One representative from each company will be funded.
On acceptance of the offer, a commitment fee of £2,000 will be obtained from each delegate. It will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed work plan. Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fees. -
To learn more about the Programme, including hearing how this has worked for previous participants we will be holding an Applicant Briefing on Wednesday 7th May 2025 at 4pm.
Key Dates:
- Applicant briefing: Wednesday 7th May 2025 at 4pm (GMT)
- Closing date for applications: Friday 30th May 2025 at 5pm (GMT)
- Shortlist Interviews: 23rd – 27th June 2025
- Successful Applicants notified: Friday 4th July 2025
- Market Visit: Immersion Week: 8th to 12th September 2025 (7th – 13th September with travel)
- Incubation Programme (Virtual): September 2025 to March 2026
- Market Visit: Showcase Week: 2nd to 6th March 2026 (1st – 7th March with travel)
Innovate UK Business Growth
Innovate UK Business Growth is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth.
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For more information about the Programme or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact Ian Fletcher: ian.fletcher@iukbg.ukri.org
Application Support.
Related Events and Recordings
Wed
7
May
2025
Global Incubator Programme USA (Houston) 2025 Healthtech Applicant Briefing
16.00 - 17.00 BST | Online
Register for this event
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