News

Yorkshire and Humber health tech accelerator programme opens

A health tech accelerator to support innovators navigate the NHS in the Yorkshire and Humber region has opened for applications.

The Propel@YH programme now in its second year, is aimed at start-ups that have developed innovations or products to support responses to COVID-19.

It provides 10 start ups with a six-month support programme, working with the University of Leeds’ innovation hub, Leeds City Council and Nexus, which supports the programme through research and innovation and their community of tech start-ups and SMEs. Barclays Eagle Labs will also join to provide business support through their national incubator network and health law firm Hill Dickinson will act as legal partners.

The 2019 cohort included Digibete, a video platform to improve the lives of those living with Type 1 Diabetes, AI solution Scaled Insights and SmartER, a solution model that revolutionises the delivery of front-line emergency medicine and changes the patient journey.

Neville Young, Director of Enterprise and Innovation for the Yorkshire & Humber AHSN, said: “COVID has changed our health and care system completely and it is important that the NHS and other health providers have the tools in place to allow them to adapt to the new ways of working. Because of this, we have decided this year’s programme should focus on supporting solutions which focus in particular on COVID and the wider implications of the virus.”

“This is the second time we’ve been able to offer this great opportunity for innovative digital and data driven health companies to access a raft of support specifically tailored to their needs and equip them with the knowledge and contacts to drive their businesses forward. Key to the success of this program are the great digital assets we have in the Yorkshire and Humber region in terms of infrastructure, skills and data itself.”

The Propel@YH team and members of the previous cohort are hosting a Q&A webinar on the programme on 2nd September. For details please visit: www.propel-yh.com.