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Our Mindset-XR Innovation Support Programme spotlight for November is on SyncVR Medical. 

Floris van der Breggen, SyncVR Medical’s founder and CEO, tells us a bit about the company and their Virtual Reality programme, Project Zenith. The Health Innovation Network South London is supporting SyncVR Medical as part of our delivery of the Mindset-XR Innovation Support Programme for Innovate UK.

Please give us some background on SyncVR Medical 

SyncVR Medical was founded in 2019 to reimagine healthcare with XR technology, and we’re now the largest Extended Reality (XR) healthcare platform in Europe. We’re like often described as the Netflix for XR in healthcare, selecting the best XR tech from around the world and making them available under one platform. Similar to Netflix, we develop our own content and also select/curate tech from around the world, so that a healthcare organisation has the best selection available to them. Our team is a mix of healthcare experts, engineers, and creatives, all dedicated to solving real problems with innovative, patient-focused tools. We’ve built partnerships with over 250 hospitals across Europe and the UK, implementing our applications from A to Z.

Can you tell us about Project Zenith?

Project Zenith is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a Virtual Reality (VR) program designed for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who experience anxiety – an underserved group when it comes to accessible therapy. Zenith provides a safe, immersive space where users can build coping skills through VR-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques. We’re developing Zenith alongside Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, with the goal of not just supporting patients, but also relieving pressure on NHS services by reducing waiting times. For us, this isn’t just a project; it’s a pathway to make mental health care more proactive and approachable.

How do your innovations tackle inequalities in mental health?

Access and affordability are the biggest challenges in mental health, especially for marginalised groups. With our XR solutions, we’re bridging that gap by bringing therapy to people wherever they are, on their terms. Project Zenith is just one example: ASD patients who may not respond to traditional therapy environments can access therapeutic tools through VR, opening doors that were previously closed to them. We’re focused on making mental health care more inclusive, empowering people from all walks of life to get the support they need.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in developing your innovation?

Healthcare is a highly regulated field – and that’s partly a good thing. However, it also means extra layers to navigate, from ethics approvals to clinical trial protocols. With Project Zenith, we’ve had to plan carefully around these requirements and delay formal patient inclusions. It’s challenging but eventually worth it.

Why should the NHS be excited about your innovation?

The NHS should be excited because SyncVR aligns directly with NHS priorities: faster access to care, innovative treatment options, and reduced cost pressures. Project Zenith is a perfect fit, as it offers the NHS a scalable, evidence-backed tool for ASD patients dealing with anxiety. It’s a chance to transform patient pathways with a solution that doesn’t rely on medication and offers personalisation at scale. Collaborating with us means unlocking new ways to support patients and elevate the standard of mental health care.

What three pieces of advice would you give budding innovators?

Go deep on the problem: Real impact comes from understanding the problem you’re solving from all angles – especially through the lens of those directly affected. Collaborations with clinicians is absolutely essential here.

Think beyond today: Whatever you’re building, make sure it’s designed to grow. The healthcare landscape changes fast, so adaptability is key.

Stay resilient and keep learning: Innovation is a rollercoaster. Learn from each challenge, and don’t let setbacks derail your commitment to solving the problem

What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?

Simply put, we want XR to become a trusted, mainstream part of healthcare. We’re building on Zenith’s success to create a full XR treatment that is ready for international rollout. We hope to make this happen using innovation grants to bring the tech to the next level!