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But let’s see where it comes from.
The Health Innovation Network has announced “Accelerating FemTech,” a new initiative that will support innovators to drive the development of technology solutions to address today’s women’s health challenges.
The FemTech accelerator has been made possible by funding from Innovate UK as part of the Biomedical Catalyst.
The initiative seeks to inspireby engaging innovators (clinicians, companies and academics) around women’s health challenges, and accelerateby offering a 10-week accelerator program for small and medium-sized businesses across the UK.
The program is delivered by the Health Innovation Network and its partners including: DigitalHealth.London, CW Innovation, Kent Surrey Sussex AHSN, South West AHSN, West of England AHSN, Mills & Reeve, East Midlands AHSN, Yorkshire and Humber AHSN, Health Innovation Manchester, The Academic Health Science Network for North East and North Cumbria, and others.
It builds on experience of running the award-winning DigitalHealth.London Accelerator, [email protected] and other AHSN innovator support programmes.
to inspire includes specialized webinars, from a range of experts and innovators in the field, to motivate and celebrate innovative solutions, and invite-only in-person events, to encourage and connect innovators to solve women’s health challenges.
These events are aimed at clinicians, academics and innovators interested in addressing women’s health challenges. Details of all events can be found here.
A tailored support program
Accelerate is a 10-week support program for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the UK, who have early-stage innovations to address today’s challenges in women’s health.
Building on the Health Innovation Network’s experience of running the DigitalHealth.London Accelerator, the program will provide companies developing products to solve women’s health challenges with tailored support through expert-led workshops and mentoring .
It will support them to develop their product offering, understand the challenges in the women’s health space, grow entrepreneurial skills and engage with key stakeholders in the NHS and academic landscape.
The program will be delivered in a hybrid format, with two days of face-to-face workshops in London in September and Leeds in October, and a showcase in London in November, complemented by online support, workshops and coaching.
The program will also support companies to apply to the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst call in November 2023, to demonstrate their commercial and technical viability. Innovators interested in the program can learn more and register their interest here.
Anna King, Commercial Director of the Health Innovation Network, said: “There are huge opportunities to bring new innovations to women’s health, from areas specific to women such as maternal health, fertility, gynecological cancers and menopause, to conditions that affect women disproportionately or differently, including osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease.
“Accelerating FemTech aims to inspire innovators to tackle challenges in these areas and equip companies working in women’s health to develop their product offering.
“I look forward to working with healthcare leaders across the UK to advance innovation in this important space and I am very grateful to Innovate UK for funding this vital work.”
Dr Samana Brannigan, Head of Health Technology at Innovate UK, commented: “Our vision is to inspire early-stage companies to develop cutting-edge healthcare solutions to transform healthcare and drive business growth.
“In partnership with the Medical Research Council we have developed a pilot accelerator program to maximize the impact of our excellent research base and transform innovative research into commercially viable businesses.
“We are delighted to be working with the Health Innovation Network and its partners to deliver this program and their support will undoubtedly enhance the success of early-stage innovators in addressing real-world challenges.”
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Ikaroa is proud to celebrate the announcement that the Health Innovation Network (HIN) has been awarded a grant to run the Accelerating FemTech programme, which will boost the careers of female technology entrepreneurs. The initiative, which is powered by TechToday, aims to accelerate the growth of innovative digital health solutions specifically designed for, and by, women.
Through the Accelerating FemTech programme, HIN will work to improve women’s access to the digital health market, challenging traditional power structures and giving female entrepreneurs the support they need to build and launch successful products. This grant also funds the development of business skills and digital mentorship, providing support to female entrepreneurs and encouraging female-led businesses in the health tech space.
At Ikaroa, we believe that all entrepreneurs should have the opportunity to realise their potential. Access to resources and guidance is key for thriving and innovating in the tech space. This support from TechToday and HIN encourages female entrepreneurs to develop their ideas in a supportive and collaborative environment, inspiring innovative solutions and driving gender diversity into the healthcare industry.
We extend our congratulations to HIN and to all involved in this ground-breaking programme and thank them for their commitment to securing gender diversity in the tech space and encouraging female innovation in healthcare.
