A new £2 million Health Innovation Leeds Incubator has been launched to accelerate the growth of the region’s booming HealthTech sector.
The initiative has been launched to strengthen Leeds’ position as one of the UK’s leading health innovation hubs.
Unveiled by Leeds City Council leader, Cllr James Lewis, at the West Yorkshire Health Tech Cluster’s Driving the Future of Innovation event, it is funded by the West Yorkshire Healthtech Investment Zone.
It will be led by Nexus at the University of Leeds, in partnership with Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, working closely with Leeds City Council.
Companies joining the incubator will gain access to expertise from across Leeds’ major innovation centres, including the University of Leeds’ £40m Nexus community, Leeds Teaching Hospitals’ Innovation Pop Up and Leeds Beckett’s new Sports Health Tech Incubator.
The programme is open to businesses of all sizes, with a particular focus on supporting local start-ups and SMEs.
Participants will receive tailored support to overcome barriers to growth, from developing prototypes to commercialising their products, as well as connections across one of the UK’s most dynamic HealthTech networks.
Leeds is already recognised as one of the top three global locations for HealthTech companies, with the region home to one-third of all UK HealthTech businesses.
The local tech scene is expanding at a rate 125% above the national average, with AI job growth outpacing London.
“Backed by our £160m investment zone, our healthtech ecosystem is one of the most dynamic in the UK, with Leeds a global leader,” said Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire.
“With huge ambition for our regional economy, we want to untangle the challenges that innovators face, so they can contribute to our vision of a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.
“This multimillion-pound incubator will offer bespoke support to more rapidly convert scientific research into tangible solutions for the NHS, creating well-paid jobs and better patient care for all.”
The incubator is supported by the Leeds Academic Health Partnership, one of the largest collaborations of its kind in the UK.
Partnerships director, Kate Lodge, added: “When it comes to health innovation, Leeds is setting the pace and shaping the future.
“This is the city where breakthroughs are born, ideas are tested at speed, and where bold partnerships support businesses to start, scale and go global thanks to standout support.
“The new Health Innovation Leeds Incubator is an exciting example of this powerful collaboration in action, combining expertise from leading universities and one of the country’s biggest teaching hospitals.
“Leeds is already a top city for start-ups and scale-ups, and this new initiative will give even more businesses the bespoke support they need to grow.
“If you’re a HealthTech company ready to unlock the next step in your business journey, Leeds is invested in your success. Register your interest and join us as, together, we transform health and care for everyone.”