Applications open for DigitalHealth.London accelerator programme

Applications for the sixth cohort of DigitalHealth.London’s flagship accelerator programme are now open for health tech start-ups.

The programme supports start-ups with innovative ideas on how to transform care and support the NHS using technology and digital services.

Now in it’s sixth year, the programme has supported some of the biggest and most effective digital innovations which are now being used by the NHS in London, including companies like LIVI, Oxehealth, Patchwork Health, Echo, Sweatcoin, and Health Navigator.

Many of the start-ups who have come up through the programme have gone on to support the NHS during the Covid-19 crisis, according to a statement from DigitalHealth.London.

Jenny Thomas, programme director of the DigitalHealth.London accelerator, said: “The last year and a half in the NHS has seen profound challenges but also incredible progress. NHS Staff and patients have been introduced to new ways of doing things through digital health, and technology has enabled many key services to continue during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I am extremely proud of the companies and NHS organisations we have worked with and the role they have played during the pandemic and the vital roles I know they will continue to play as we start to look at supporting the NHS to recover.

“I am very excited to announce the opening of applications to be part of the next cohort of innovators on the DigitalHealth.London Accelerator programme – innovators who we will support in being part of this next, pivotal stage for our healthcare system.”

To date, the accelerator programme has supported 122 innovative digital health companies, with 411 additional contracts signed by those companies.

While 15% of the companies supported have been founded by women, 22% have been owned by innovators who identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic and 2% by a person with a disability.

DigitalHeath.London said it would continue to work to ensure the accelerator programme is diverse and encourages innovators who identify as being from a minority group to apply to the programme.

Tara Donnelly, chief digital officer of NHSX, said: “The DigitalHealth.London accelerator programme is a key player in helping the NHS and social care to make the most of the opportunities digital technologies bring.

“This has never been more important as the NHS looks to recover from the pandemic and I look forward to seeing the next group of innovators bringing their solutions to London’s NHS.”

Dr Mridula Pore, chief executive and co-founder of Peppy, added: “The DigitalHealth.London accelerator has been instrumental in fostering the perfect environment for Peppy to grow in the NHS. The guidance we have been given, connections brokered with decision makers in NHS organisations and policy makers, and the support we have received from our NHS Navigator has all led to wonderful new opportunities and meaningful growth of our company.”

Peppy was part of the 2020/21 cohort of the DigitalHealth.London accelerator programme and was also the winner of this year’s Digital Health Rewired Pitchfest competition.

To find out more about the programme, or apply, visit the DigitalHealth.London website here.