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Ten innovations have been selected for Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate – a national programme led by Health Innovation South London and DigitalHealth.London and co-delivered by Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and other partners across the UK.

The new Accelerator, part of the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst competition, is specifically designed for women’s health solutions with a technology readiness level (TRL) 4 or above to support them enter their chosen market.

It is delivered by partners including Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, with the goal of helping companies grow, connect with the right people and plan testing of solutions in real-world healthcare settings.

Women spend around 25 per cent more of their lives in ill health compared to men. Despite this, only one per cent of global healthcare research and innovation is dedicated to women-specific conditions.

The novel technologies and personal products selected after a competitive application process, include a heated bra designed for hormonal breast tenderness; cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for menopause support; biosensors to help detect respiratory diseases; compassionate support for women experiencing pregnancy loss; and a pioneering AI-powered thermal imaging tool for breast health screening.

Dr Sean Clarkson, Head of Strategic Operations at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, said: “The ten selected innovations have huge potential to make an impact on women’s health. I am delighted to support the programme and excited to see how these innovative solutions develop.

“At Yorkshire & Humber we have a strong focus on women’s health and we will be providing mentorship, subject matter expertise and business coaching.”

Lived experience directly informs many of the solutions, such as a microbiome serum born from a founder’s experience of recurrent urinary tract infections; and a training platform for maternity staff, which brings to life the experiences of local women through VR.

The cohort also includes solutions that support the move to healthcare in the community, including a digital preventive maternal health platform; a therapeutic platform to improve quality of life for people living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS); and an agency-building app for people living with chronic pelvic pain.

Over three months, innovators will be helped through a hybrid curriculum, including virtual training and face-to-face support from a business coach, who will help with identifying strategic collaborations and real-world evaluation routes, such as health economic analyses.

Companies will also benefit from two residentials (on-boarding and mid-programme), a series of webinars lead by subject matter experts, one-to-one sessions with mentors across the health and care system, and an end of programme showcase, as well as the opportunity to apply for the special closed call feasibility funding through the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst.

Dr Chiara Board, CEO and Founder of P.Happi, said: “We need more innovation and access to better care in women’s health—and with limited funding flowing into the sector, programmes like this are so vital.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate programme alongside other changemakers. P.Happi, born from science and personal experience, will use this opportunity to advance our mission of making pioneering microbiome innovation accessible to more women through community and public healthcare.”

Anja Ueland, Director of Meyva, said: “I’m really proud that Meyva has been selected for the Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate programme. This opportunity will help us build the evidence needed to support heat therapy as a safe, effective option for women experiencing cyclical mastalgia.

“For too long, breast pain has been dismissed or overlooked. It means a lot to see this issue recognised and to be part of a programme helping women’s health innovations move from personal experience to real-world impact.”

Geetha Manjunath, CEO of Niramai Health Analytix, said: “We are honoured to be selected for the Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate programme. This recognition reinforces our mission to make advanced, accessible health screening available to women everywhere.

“Through this initiative, we look forward to collaborating with the UK’s vibrant health innovation ecosystem to expand Niramai’s clinically proven, AI-based Thermalytix® technology, improve early breast cancer detection, and contribute to the NHS’s goals for equitable and preventive women’s health.”