Yorkshire & Humber AHSN returns for fifth accelerator programme

Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network’s (AHSN) digital health accelerator, Propel@YH, is returning for a fifth year, with a focus on supporting innovations that can help the NHS whilst also boosting the region’s economy.

Applications are now open for the flagship accelerator programme and will remain open until 6pm Friday 25 August.

It is looking for innovations that can support the NHS with the following priorities:

• Workforce
• Waiting lists
• Mental health
• Early diagnostics
• Urgent and emergency care(UEC)
• Supporting the Office for Life Sciences’ healthcare priorities (dementia, early diagnosis of cancer, prevention of CVD, respiratory, ageing and mental health)
• Patient empowerment
• Innovative ways of using AI technology.

Successful health tech innovators who are accepted onto the programme gain a structured course of advice and guidance to help them navigate the NHS, while also enabling accelerated company growth and increased market presence. Organisations will take part in a series of masterclasses, digital innovator surgeries, events and 1-2-1 mentoring sessions over the course of six months.

A number of Propel@YH partners will be on hand to bring specific expertise to the programme, including legal advice from Hill Dickinson; networking opportunities courtesy of Nexus, University of Leeds; growth support thanks to Barclays Eagle Labs; NHS insight and strategy coming from Leeds Teaching Hospitals Innovation Pop Up; and Leeds City Council, who will be helping with networking contacts across the city.

Dr Neville Young, director of enterprise and innovation at the Yorkshire & Humber AHSN said: “The Propel@YH programme is a great opportunity for SMEs to receive expert advice and guidance from the AHSN and our key partners, so they can navigate the NHS market, increase their presence in the region and spread their innovations for the benefit of those living and working in Yorkshire and the Humber.

“The programme also enables companies to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders from the wider HealthTech ecosystem across the UK and facilitates networking with other innovators and our colleagues from across the life sciences sector.”

Since the programme launched 40 innovators have been through the accelerator, with 11 of those SMEs going on to establish a base in the region.

Young said: “Since the start of the programme, we’ve seen some incredible innovations that have supported the NHS including a multi-award-winning digital platform designed to improve the lives of those living with type 1 diabetes and an online therapy service that provides its users with remote step-by-step progressive rehabilitation.

“Over the last year, the programme has supported 44 innovators, facilitating 36 hours of networking time between innovator companies and national or local NHS stakeholders and this has resulted in 32 collaborations with the NHS.”

Last year’s cohort included VIKO.ai, an AI-powered digital self-service platform; ehealth Compass, a clinical CRM platform to match patients to the right pathway to reduce health inequalities; Medwise.ai, a search engine for healthcare professionals to find information at the point of care.