Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire launches programme to support healthtech innovators

Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire is calling on innovators with healthtech solutions to apply for its accelerator programme.

The programme is free for successful applicants and provides enhanced business support, regulatory guidance, NHS networking and scaled growth advice.

The accelerator has recently been allocated £4.5m in funding from the West Yorkshire Mayor’s investment Zone.

The funding is part of the region’s £160m Investment Zone to support the growth of the health innovation and technology sector.

The funding granted to Propel Healthtech will enable it to expand and support more innovators.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “The first priority of our Local Growth Plan is to boost our region’s fastest growing business sectors, because we know that’s how we’re going to drive investment, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.

“Today, we’re launching £4.5 million of new support for our world-leading health technology firms, which already generate £3 billion for our economy but could go even further with the right backing.

“This will help with access to finance, skills and workspace to bolster collaboration with hospitals and universities, boosting growth and helping us build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.”

Over the next four years the scheme will support hundreds of businesses helping them to scale in the NHS, contribute to regional economic growth and develop life-changing innovations for patients.

Propel Healthtech is supported by a host of national and international business partners with lived experience of operating in the global marketplace and will support businesses from early-stage through to scaling into worldwide markets.

It is open to early-stage innovators and scale-up organisations (those that already have traction in the NHS and want to scale further), that can demonstrate innovative solutions that can be used by the NHS.

All applicants should have an existing presence in the region or be willing to establish one.

Successful organisations will receive a bespoke support package based on their businesses’ needs.

Depending on whether the company is a startup or a scaleup, the six-month programme provides innovators a series of masterclasses, innovator surgeries, events and 1-2-1 mentoring sessions.

All innovators will also have access to Propel HealthTech partners who bring specific expertise to the programme as well as the West Yorkshire ecosystem partners.

The accelerator aims to encourage a diverse range of applications, particularly from female founders, innovators from BAME communities and entrepreneurs with a disability.

Michael Morgan-Curran, CEO of Asclepius MedTech and one of last year’s cohort said: “The Propel accelerator exceeded our expectations.

“It has helped us build and develop deeper and more meaningful relationships with hospital trusts and introduced us to important ecosystem partners.

“The rigour of the programme modules and workshops crystallised our value proposition and helped us understand how to navigate the NHS healthcare systems, and better appreciate their needs, priorities, processes and challenges.

“The response we have had has been amazing and it continues as Propel Alumni. None of this would have happened if we hadn’t been in the programme”

Apply for Propel HealthTech West Yorkshire

Healthtech solutions could be medical devices, diagnostics, including In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD), digital health, including data driven health technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) and other health technology innovations that can be shown to be in scope

Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber established the Propel HealthTech      programme in 2018 to support healthtech SMEs with innovative solutions destined for the NHS.

Over the last six years the accelerator has supported 125 innovators, both from the UK and international waters, created 143 jobs, with £940k invested into the local economy and £37.m investment raised by the companies.

Applications are open until 4pm, Friday 7 November