News

Over the last 12 months, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber’s Propel International programme has supported 67 global healthtech companies to take practical steps towards entering the UK healthcare market. 

Working with partners including the West Yorkshire Combined Authority), the Department for Business and Trade, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Nordic Innovation, we delivered a dual approach: early-stage market engagement through international delegations, and more intense support through our Propel Boot Camp programme. 

Building on the success of the last three years, where we’ve supported over 23 companies to establish a base in the UK, the programme supports innovators to understand how the NHS operates, build relevant connections and identify next steps for market entry. International delegations and market engagement 

Throughout the year, we engaged with innovators and stakeholders from across Europe, North America and Asia. 

This included: 

• A cohort of seven Nordic innovators exploring UK market opportunities  

• Five Polish innovators guided through a focused NHS market-entry workshop  

• 10 Korean innovators engaged through a regional trade mission  

These activities enabled early-stage guidance for companies exploring opportunities within the UK healthcare system and the Yorkshire and Humber region. 

Propel International boot camps: deeper, structured support 

We delivered two international Propel boot camps, guiding a total of 19 companies through more intensive and structured programmes. 

The Nordic Bootcamp, delivered in partnership with Nordic Innovation, brought 11 companies to Leeds for a five-day programme focused on NHS market entry, the regional ecosystem and collaboration opportunities.  

Our Ukraine Boot Camp, delivered in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and funded via the Techbridge programme, was the first fully online boot camp designed specifically for innovators based in Ukraine.  

Impact 

• In 2025–2026, we supported 67 healthtech companies to enter the UK healthcare market. 
• Swedish company Upptimely has opened a representative office in the UK 
• Three companies are planning a presence in West Yorkshire in 2026/7