New programme to support East Midlands health innovation
Medilink Midlands and Health Innovation East Midlands (formerly East Midlands Academic Health Science Network - EMAHSN) have joined forces to launch a new programme designed to support and accelerate health innovations in the region.
The Health Innovation Fund offers support of between £5,000 and £10,000 to enable East Midlands-based SMEs or businesses working with East Midlands healthcare system partners to further advance disruptive innovations that are ripe for NHS uptake and have significant potential for rapid economic return for the region.
Launching on 1 January 2024, the Fund is seeking late-stage innovations that are market ready but require an injection of funding to overcome barriers to market entry for successful deployment and scale with the potential for rapid economic return for the region.
Applications can come from any area of technology relevant to the health and care sector but must demonstrate system interest and how the business is approaching net zero and patient and public involvement.
Jo Maltby, head of innovation at Medilink Midlands, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Health Innovation East Midlands on this exciting new programme that gives eligible SMEs, an opportunity to accelerate their health innovations. We are looking for late-stage innovations that are market ready but require an injection of funding and specialist support to overcome barriers to market entry to enable their successful deployment and scale.
“Medilink Midlands has established a longstanding and impactful working relationship with Health Innovation East Midlands (formerly EMAHSN) that continues to evolve through new and ongoing collaborative projects. The HIEM was a key strategic partner for Medilink’s ERDF-funded business support projects from its inception in 2014 through to its completion in June 2023. Through this collaboration, we helped to create 208 jobs, delivered over 8,000 hours of business support, facilitated 79 university collaborations, supported 391 businesses on a 1:1 basis, and delivered 180 events.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Health Innovation East Midlands through this new programme. Offering our combined business support and innovation expertise to aid the development of some of the region’s most innovative businesses and drive connectivity and collaboration in the life sciences ecosystem.”
Alison Mlot, commercial manager at Health Innovation East Midlands, added: “We recognise the gap in seed funding for SMEs to support and accelerate the adoption of innovations into the NHS. In collaboration with Medilink Midlands, we are investing in innovative market-ready products and services with significant potential to positively impact the health and care system and bring about economic return for the East Midlands.”
Applications are open from 1 January 2024 and will close on 1 March 2024. To find out more and how to apply, visit: https://healthinnovation-em.org.uk/healthinnovationfund.