Three winners of the Mayor’s big ideas challenge have been announced, each securing a £100,000 grant to support the commercialisation of their HealthTech solutions.
Asclepius MedTech, Harmonai Hub and Mind Body Goals will also receive a bespoke package of future support from Innovate UK.
The challenge was launched by Mayor Tracy Brabin in February 2025 to accelerate innovative solutions, products or services to overcome health inequalities among communities in West Yorkshire.
In July 2025, 19 finalists were selected and awarded £20,000 each as well as a package of support to accelerate the development of their solutions.
Now the three ultimate winners have been announced.
Asclepius MedTech Ltd has developed Surgfit: a remote monitoring system to help hospitals deliver safer and more effective surgical care.
Harmonai Hub has created an AI-powered wellbeing platform for carers, offering personalised support and empowering mental health, resilience and connection.
Mind Body Goals has developed Luma Editions, offering breathwork and mindfulness techniques, providing accessible, preventative mental wellbeing support.
“The Mayor’s big ideas challenge has been an invaluable catalyst for our work,” said Michael Morgan-Curran, CEO, Asclepius MedTech.
“It has deepened our understanding of the scale of health inequalities across West Yorkshire and allowed us to further develop Surgfit: a practical solution capable of addressing this challenge in a measurable way. This is not the end of the journey – it is the beginning of implementation at pace.”
Dani Deane, founder & CEO, Harmonai Hub, said: “I became a carer at a young age. Like many others in that position, I never saw myself as someone who needed support; I was simply focused on caring for someone else.
“Over time, the responsibility took a significant toll on my mental health and made me realise how little accessible support exists for carers before they reach crisis point.
“Winning the Mayor’s big ideas challenge is an incredibly meaningful moment for Harmonai, and the funding will allow us to accelerate our work. For too long, carers have faced some of the highest levels of stress and burnout, with very little support.
“We’re changing that, so that those who spend their lives caring for others no longer have to suffer in silence.”
Michael Crinnion, founder, Mind Body Goals, said: “In my 20s, I navigated a very difficult period with my own mental health. Discovering the power of breathwork was a fundamental part of my journey back to wellbeing.
“My experience as a teacher and senior leader has also shown me the long-term impact that a lack of emotional self-regulation skills has on young people as they grow into adulthood – which is where the idea for Mind Body Goals came from.
“Standing here today as a winner of the challenge, I am committed to using the funds to ensure that Luma becomes a tool that is accessible for all those in West Yorkshire, so that preventative mental health skills become a normalised and accepted part of everyday healthcare.”
Mayor Brabin said: “Our region is home to endless talent, creativity and ambition, and today I’m thrilled to announce the three winners of our Big Ideas Challenge.
“Each team will now receive £100,000 to accelerate the development of their life-changing technologies – boosting health and wellbeing throughout West Yorkshire, and creating good skilled jobs in our region.
“By investing in innovation and backing the entrepreneurs who are determined to make a difference, we’re building a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”