Propel@YH, an accelerator programme aimed at helping digital health innovators navigate the NHS in the Yorkshire and Humber region, is open for applications from start-ups that have developed innovations or products as a response to COVID-19.
Applications for the programme, which is in its second year after a highly successful 2019 cohort, opened on 6th August until 24th September and has space for 10 start-up digital health innovators.
Successful applicants from the March 2020 process, which was suspended due to lockdown, will be asked to resubmit in line with the new eligibility criteria.
The programme Propel@YH, an accelerator programme aimed at helping digital health innovators navigate the NHS in the Yorkshire and Humber region, is open for applications from start-ups that have developed innovations or products as a response to COVID-19 – from tackling the spread of the virus to assisting the most vulnerable and targeting health inequalities or enabling effective home-based care.
To be eligible for the programme, applicants should have either an existing presence in the Yorkshire and Humber region or be willing to establish one. Programme content will be tailored to individual members to enable global organisations to bring innovative digital health and patient solutions to the region’s population and wider health economy.
The Yorkshire & Humber AHSN (Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network) will run the six-month programme with its key partners delivering the majority of the masterclass content. Partners for this year’s programme include the University of Leeds’ innovation hub, Nexus, which supports the programme through research and innovation expertise and membership to their community of high growth tech start-ups and SMEs.
Barclays Eagle Labs will also join to provide business support through their national incubator network and leading health law firm Hill Dickinson return as legal partners. Leeds City Council is also supporting the programme. The new partners significantly bolster the Propel@YH programme, bringing greater benefits to digital health innovators selected to take part.
The 2019 cohort saw several positive outcomes from the programme, including raising significant investment, creating jobs, numerous research collaborations, and the creation of several new digital services.
Previous cohorts include Digibete, a multi-award-winning video platform to improve the lives of those living with Type 1 Diabetes, AI solution Scaled Insights and SmartER, a solution model that revolutionises the delivery of front-line emergency medicine and changes the patient journey.
Neville Young, Director of Enterprise and Innovation for the Yorkshire & Humber AHSN, said: “COVID has changed, and will continue to change, our health and care system completely and it is important that the NHS and other health providers have the tools in place to allow them to adapt to the new ways of working. Because of this, we have decided this year’s programme should focus on supporting solutions which focus in particular on COVID and the wider implications of the virus.
“This is the second time we’ve been able to offer this great opportunity for innovative digital and data driven health companies to access a raft of support specifically tailored to their needs and equip them with the knowledge and contacts to drive their businesses forward. Key to the success of this program are the great digital assets we have in the Yorkshire and Humber region in terms of infrastructure, skills and data itself.”
