UK healthtech innovators looking to strengthen and grow their US activities are encouraged to apply now for the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) US Accelerator 2022 cohort.
Now in its fourth year, the ABHI US Accelerator is aimed at UK medical device, diagnostic and digital health companies looking to enter and upscale in the US healthcare market. The 2022 programme will run from January 2022 – December 2022.
As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, face-to-face meetings return and with the recent announcement that travel restrictions to the US will be relaxed for vaccinated UK nationals from November, next year’s programme promises to deliver a host of activities, enabling member companies to forge more personal and lasting ties with the network of leaders and hospital systems that ABHI has cultivated over the years.
Key amongst this is access to ABHI’s full year-round programme of trade missions across the US – a series of week-long missions developed to provide access to senior leaders, clinicians, and procurement teams from world-class hospital systems across multiple states.
Paul Benton, managing director, international, said: “Companies joining ABHI next year include a diverse mix of medical device, diagnostics and digital health businesses, several of which are long-standing members of the programme, who will be joined by a host of new entrants. With news last week that travel to the US is set to resume, and a busy programme of in-person activity planned for next year, companies are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
“This means they get exclusive access to our trade missions to the US, which allow companies to explore new markets, minimise risk, meet new customers and gain valuable market insight.”
Working with ABHI’s international team, each company who joins the ABHI US Accelerator programme will enjoy a bespoke 12-month plan to support their individual US market entry strategy and this tailored plan is boosted by access to an expansive network of in-market experts.
The week-long trade missions to the US, which are exclusive to members of the programme, present businesses with a prime opportunity to engage with the right stakeholders, that are key to their individual company objectives.
The first mission for the new class of ABHI US Accelerator companies next year will be a visit to Texas, 28 February – 1 March. The visit will provide high level connections with ABHI’s extensive network across the state, including health systems, industry bodies, companies, and professional services firms. The mission will set the scene for the coming year and will be followed by visits to key US states, including California, Tennessee, Minnesota – home to healthcare powerhouses including the Mayo Clinic, and healthtech cluster Medical Alley. It will conclude in December with Florida and New York – home to some of the world's most prestigious academic institutes and research programmes.
One of the companies returning next year are Bristol-based virtual reality company Virti, and as its founder & CEO, Dr Alexander Young says the programme is a great tool to help companies understand the US market.
“It is a really great way to get some market research into the United States, and if you have got an established product to build a sales force, or operations team, you can really get a flavour for what the market can do for you, and how the health systems operate in the US. In terms of advice, I would say really going for it and understanding it will really get you ahead of the game in terms of your revenue and your growth.”
With over 80% of available places now taken, companies are invited not to delay in sending their application for the ABHI US Accelerator 2022 cohort. To apply, or for an informal discussion on the opportunity, contact lottie.mcmahon@abhi.org.uk
