The Scottish Government’s £42 million Techscaler programme has been extended to support innovators in trialling their solutions with NHS test bed sites.
In July 2022, seven tech scaler hubs were announced to support start-ups in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling.
The programme is now extending to provide the innovative companies involved with access to NHS test bed sites joining the Techscaler network.
It is hoped that this will provide expertise and support to young business with high growth potential, enabling “entrepreneurs to work alongside clinicians and have access to patients and anonymised data to test ideas, products and services”.
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray commented on the agreement: “Scotland’s life sciences sector has an annual turnover of more than £8 billion and is one of our key sectors for transformative economic growth. This partnership will be able to leverage our world-leading universities, life sciences hubs and excellent healthcare systems to support the growth of the sector and development of entrepreneurs.
“Testing products in a real world environment and accelerating development is vital, and will enable a broader reach of the Tech Scaler programme. This in turn will benefit patients and medical staff as they develop cutting-edge technology for use across the NHS, from stroke and rehabilitation through to reducing drug-related deaths.
“It is a further example of the steps we are taking as we develop a sustainable, high-skill economy that works for everyone.”
The Techscaler network was recommended as part of Mark Logan’s Technology ecosystem review.
HTN recently covered a new funding call by InnoScot Health, who shared an opportunity for “forward-thinking ophthalmic solutions that can help NHS Scotland to strengthen and make meaningful change in this priority area”. The ophthalmology innovation call offers a package of support for those with fresh ideas in this area, including up to £25,000 of initial funding, regulatory support, project management, and the innovation expertise of InnoScot Health’s multidisciplinary team.
