Blog

Collaboration sits at the heart of innovation and in West Yorkshire, that collaboration is being actively nurtured through the HIVE network.

Established by the Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber’s West Yorkshire Innovation Hub in partnership with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire & Humber and the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, HIVE brings people together to connect, share and learn. Through two in-person events each year, the network is helping to build a stronger, more connected innovation community, one that champions research, supports evidence-based decision making, and works collectively to address health inequalities.

But HIVE is about more than just sharing ideas. It plays a key role in embedding the West Yorkshire research and innovation commitments across the system, while also creating opportunities for healthcare, industry and research partners to collaborate in new and meaningful ways.

“What excites me about the HIVE is that it brings the people shaping clinical pathways together with those building the next generation of HealthTech solutions, before decisions are already made.

West Yorkshire has the assets, world-class universities, a major NHS footprint, and a diverse patient population. HIVE activates those strengths, creating the conditions where conversations between clinicians, innovators, and researchers quickly become real-world pilots.

The energy at these events is a leading indicator: commissioners, innovators connecting with research teams, policymakers listening rather than presenting. That’s when you know something meaningful is happening.

We’re at a pivotal moment for HealthTech in the region. The investment, political will, and urgency are all here, and the HIVE network is how we bring the right people together to turn opportunity into impact.” James Thomas, Medical Director, West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership

A landmark event for the region

In November 2025, this collaborative approach reached a new milestone.

The West Yorkshire Innovation Hub partnered with Innovate UK’s West Yorkshire Health Technologies Launchpad to deliver a joint HIVE and Launchpad event: ‘Driving the Future of Innovation – West Yorkshire’s HealthTech Cluster’.

Held on 6 November 2025, the conference welcomed 300 attendees and marked the first event of its kind in the region. It brought together a diverse audience, from local and international HealthTech companies to NHS leaders, researchers, policymakers and innovators creating a unique space for connection and collaboration.

The event showcased the Launchpad programme and highlighted why West Yorkshire is increasingly recognised as a global leader in healthtech, innovation and research. It also explored the impact of recent government policy changes and what they mean for the future of innovation at local, regional and national levels.

Creating space for meaningful connections

By combining the HIVE network with the Innovate UK Launchpad, the event built on the success of previous HIVE gatherings while reaching a much broader audience.

Crucially, it brought together groups who don’t often have the opportunity to connect. The result was a dynamic and valuable forum for networking, partnership building and knowledge exchange, something attendees strongly reflected in their feedback.

The conference featured a full programme of panels, talks and breakout sessions, with more than 30 speakers representing the NHS, government, research, investment and industry. Alongside this, over 20 organisations from the HealthTech Cluster exhibited their work, and six Launchpad-funded companies showcased cutting-edge innovations.

Showcasing West Yorkshire on a bigger stage

The impact of the event extended beyond the room.

Strong media coverage helped amplify its reach, with a combined publication audience of over 163,000 and more than 9,500 estimated views. This visibility supports the wider ambition of the West Yorkshire Health Technologies Launchpad: to position the region as a leading centre for HealthTech and innovation.

What attendees said

“The collaborative and mission-driven approach is inspiring. I look forward to continuing to engage with the community to support innovation that addresses real-world healthcare challenges.”

“A great way of bringing innovators and suppliers together to better understand how we can partner across the West Yorkshire ecosystem.”