Digital Health announces judges for Rewired Pitchfest 2025

Digital Health has announced the judges for its annual Pitchfest competition for startups, which will take place at Rewired 2025.

Rewired Pitchfest is an annual competition for startups, offering them the chance to pitch in front of a live audience of NHS leaders, investors and industry peers.

The winner will gain access to expert advice from CW+ and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s CW Innovation team, and the potential to run a project in the trust.

The expert judging panel, from innovation leaders to senior investment managers has been announced:

Jon Hoeksma, chief executive, Digital Health Intelligence: Hoeksma is the founder and CEO of Digital Health, a B2B news, research, and events publisher. He co-founded eHealth Insider and led its sale to Informa Plc. Key achievements include founding the UK CCIO movement, developing Digital Health Networks, and launching Digital Health Rewired, AI and Data, and Summer Schools. 

Chris Chaney, chief executive, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CW+): Chaney, chief executive of CW+ since July 2016 and a trust board member, leads fundraising for new facilities and the arts and health program. He heads CW Innovation, a partnership identifying and implementing health innovations to improve patient care within the trust and across the NHS. 

Chris Sawyer, innovation lead – Digital Health: Sawyer develops programs to support the UK digital health sector. With more than 30 years in commercial and development roles in the medical technology industry and the NHS, he brings extensive experience to his current role. 

Megan Morys-Carter, director of innovation, The Hill: Morys-Carter runs The Hill digital innovation catalyst and oversees its Market Access Accelerator program. An expert in entrepreneurship, she also sits on the board of The Oxford Trust, promoting enterprise, innovation, science education, and public engagement. 

John Lee Allen, managing partner, Ryse Asset Management: Allen, a venture capital investor, has a diverse background as a clinical engineer, neuroscientist, technology entrepreneur, and physician. He developed an implantable medical device at Oxford and, as managing partner of a European healthtech investor, drives global innovation with Novartis, Medtronic, and the NHS. 

Sara Nelson, programme director, Digital Health London: Nelson, with more than 30 years in the NHS, has served in clinical and management roles. At Guy’s and St Thomas,’ she supported digital transformation, and as deputy chief nursing information officer at NHS England, led strategy, education, and innovation. She is passionate about advancing healthcare technology for patients and professionals. 

Maria Burpee, marketing artisan & growth consultant: Burpee is a marketing expert and top consultant specialising in healthcare. She delivers results, accelerates growth, and captures mindshare for startups and scaleups. She coaches, advises, and helps grow leading health tech and MedTech organisations across Europe and beyond, in both B2B and B2C sectors. 

Mindy Simon, co-director, NHS Innovation Accelerator: Simon oversees program execution and guides innovators. Since 2013, she has held senior roles in health and life sciences, including at UCLPartners and prestigious institutions like Oxford and King’s College. She supports innovators in overcoming NHS challenges and scaling health innovations. 

Gabby Morgan, senior investment manager, the Conduit Connect: Morgan invests in Seed-Series A+ deals in climate, healthcare, education, and inclusion. Passionate about mental health and women’s healthcare, she advises Thalamos and Virtue Health. Morgan also fundraises, mentors at Carbon13, and has a strong impact-investing network. She holds an MBA from Oxford. 

The live Pitchfest final will take place in the Start-Up Zone at Rewired 2025, at the NEC in Birmingham, 18-19 March 2025.

Applications for Pitchfest close on 23 August 2024. Rules and judging criteria can be found here.

Digital Health would like to thank its official partners of Pitchfest 2025: CW+, DigitalHealth.London, Silver Buck, Innovate UK, Health Foundry, and Health Innovation Network.

Registration for Rewired 2025 is now open. Free for NHS and public sector visitors.