Today, the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London has opened applications for the second cohort of Accelerating FemTech to further support the issues raised within the Women’s Health Strategy. Funded by Innovate UK
and the Medical Research Council, the national ten-week programme helps early-stage companies, university spinouts and entrepreneurial-minded academics focused on women’s health to gain the commercial and funding momentum they need for long-term success. The accelerator aims to support 20 innovators, with representation from both academic and commercial backgrounds.
Building upon the expertise gained from running the award-winning DigitalHealth.London Accelerator, Accelerating FemTech is a specialised programme dedicated to advancing women’s health innovations. It offers bespoke support, targeted workshops, and mentoring to enhance product development, entrepreneurship skills, and stakeholder engagement across the NHS and academia. The programme will also support participants to prepare for a special closed-call feasibility funding opportunity through the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst.
The delivery of Accelerating FemTech is led by the HIN in collaboration with partners across the UK, including: DigitalHealth.London, CW Innovation, Health Innovation West of England, Health Innovation East Midlands, Health Innovation West Midlands, Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, Health Innovation North West Coast, the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) Scotland, Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI) and others.
Ten companies from the inaugural cohort of Accelerating FemTech were awarded a share of over £1 million through the Biomedical Catalyst. Their successful projects focus on a range of women’s health problems, including menstruation management, maternity and neonatal safety, as well as cervical screening.
Among the successful companies is IBEX Innovations Ltd, whose innovative detection software, IBEX Bone Health, can be integrated into routine breast cancer screening programmes, facilitating early detection and diagnosis of osteoporosis. Another winning company is Joii Ltd, who are empowering people who menstruate to track their period symptoms and utilise latest scientific insights to enhance their understanding of gynaecological health.
Find out more here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGPWdzn7Nw/922NwsBm-pgFwgs84TFs6w/view?utm_content=DAGPWdzn7Nw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor#7
Discover more about DigitalHealth.London (Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London):
The Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London is one of 15 health innovation networks (formerly known as Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs)) across England. As the only bodies that connect NHS and academic organisations, local authorities, the third sector and industry, we are uniquely placed to increase the spread and adoption of innovation across large populations, at pace and scale. For more information, please visit: https://healthinnovationnetwork.com
