A new £2m incubator programme supporting health tech businesses in Leeds has been announced by a partnership of influential organisations in the northern city.
Announced on Thursday by Leeds City Council leader James Lewis, the incubator will offer businesses tailored support to address barriers to growth and provide expertise and access to a network of health tech innovators and investors across the UK.
The venture has been funded as part of the £160m West Yorkshire Healthtech Investment Zone and will be led by Nexus at the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The incubator will also work closely with the local council.
“Our healthtech ecosystem is one of the most dynamic in the UK, with Leeds a global leader,” said Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin.
“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 partnership has said that, unlike traditional incubator models which work largely with early-stage companies, this scheme will support businesses of all sizes, though with a particular focus on supporting local startups and SMEs.
“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,” said Kate Lodge, partnership director at Leeds Academic Health Partnership.
“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.”
