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Cutting-edge innovations that will support the NHS selected for Propel@YH programme

Posted: 26th September 2024

Our pioneering Propel@YH programme is now in its sixth year and has selected the next 19 HealthTech innovations that will benefit the region’s population and wider health economy.

Run by Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, the programme supports UK based innovators developing digital health solutions with access to a six-month course of structured support and advice aimed at enabling accelerated company growth and increased market presence.

Our flagship Propel@YH programme has gone from strength to strength in the past six years, supporting innovative HealthTech organisations to bring their digital solutions to Yorkshire and the Humber.

A diverse range of companies have been selected with several of the SMEs coming from Yorkshire and the remaining ones from the UK.

Innovations include a device supporting those with endometriosis, a platform that uses technology to predict heart failure, a support tool helping autistic children and a digital health coach empowering older adults to self-care at home.

The SMEs all have innovations that can help NHS and social care organisations in any of the following areas: the workforce, waiting lists, mental health, early diagnostics, urgent and emergency care, patient empowerment and innovative ways of using AI technology.

This year’s cohort include:

For the 2024-25 programme, Propel@YH is being part-funded by the UK Government through Leeds City Council’s Innovation@Leeds programme, which is supporting innovation-driven businesses through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The accelerator will start on 26 September and the chosen companies will receive support from several expert partners: Hill Dickinson; Nexus, University of Leeds; Barclays Eagle Labs; Leeds Teaching Hospitals Innovation Pop Up; Par Equity; West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Leeds City Council; Digisafe; Acorn Compliance; 6B; Quiddity Health; CDS; Prova Health; York Health Economics Consortium; ORCHA; Medipex; Department of Business and Trade; HMA; West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership; Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and South Yorkshire Integrated Care System.

Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber is one of 15 Health Networks set up by NHS England to operate as the key innovation arm of the NHS. It acts as a bridge between health care providers, commissioners, academia and industry and accelerates the spread and adoption of proven innovations across the local healthcare system to improve the health and prosperity of our region.

Dr Neville Young, Director of Enterprise and Innovation at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber said: “We’re delighted to welcome the 19 SMEs and are really excited to launch the programme for a sixth year. We hope to see them grow and join our thriving health ecosystem.

“We’d like to thank all our partners for their ongoing brilliant support but in particular this year Leeds City Council for the additional funding they have provided to Propel@YH. This contribution has meant we are able to support an extra eight innovators.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the chosen SMEs to receive expert advice and guidance from Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber 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.

“Our work with innovator companies is a central element of our role as we seek to encourage health innovation and stimulate growth in life sciences and industry across our region.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “Our support for this year’s Propel@YH programme underlines our commitment to the city’s wider vision for stimulating innovation in a way that drives and delivers measurable impact towards a healthier, greener and inclusive future for Leeds and the world.

“Leeds is already recognised as a leading light for health technology innovation and research, with institutions such as the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds’ Nexus hub blazing a trail alongside a huge range of brilliant businesses.

“The benefits that new digital health solutions can deliver – both for patient care and the well-being of the population as a whole – mean it is vitally important that we keep pushing ahead and giving our backing to the brightest and best innovators in this field.

“Our partnership with Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber is a great example of how collaborative working can help us do exactly that, and I look forward to following the progress of the SMEs that make up the latest Propel@YH cohort.”

Find out more about Propel@YH on the website and in our recent Impact Report.