The Power of Partnership: HINs Driving the Future of FemTech

The Accelerating FemTech programme supports the development of crucial innovations that have the potential to address current challenges in women’s health. The second cohort of the programme, which ran from November 2024 to March 2025, supported innovators through a wide 10-week curriculum, which included in-person learning days, networking opportunities, virtual workshops led by subject matter experts and tailored guidance from mentors and business coaches.

In this blog, Dr Sean Clarkson, Head of Strategic Operations at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, reflects on his role as a business coach for cohort two of the programme. He also highlights the impact of harnessing experiences and expertise achieved from the spread of Health Innovation Networks on programme delivery, knowledge and the benefits gained by participants. 

Why I joined the programme

The UK has a rich pipeline of health research and development (R&D), but innovators in women’s health face significant challenges in turning ideas into commercial products and achieving scale. These challenges stem from systemic issues, including inequities in funding, censorship and the low prioritisation of FemTech innovations.

Women’s health has long been underfunded and underserved, contributing to the gender health gap. While the FemTech sector is growing rapidly, with projections estimating its market value will reach $60 billion by 2027, it still receives just 1–2% of total health tech funding.

This is what drew me to become a Business Coach on the Accelerating FemTech programme. It was a natural extension of my work at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, where my focus is on inclusive economic growth, cross-sector partnerships and equitable health outcomes.

Throughout my time supporting the Accelerating FemTech programme, it has been incredibly rewarding watching the companies develop, grow and achieve success. As a business coach, I supported with commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement, and preparing an application for feasibility funding – a special closed-call opportunity through Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst for participants of the programme.

I have particularly enjoyed working with Upskill.Health to navigate the complex web of opportunities that have presented themselves throughout the course of the programme. Tailored guidance helped to strike the balance between identifying opportunities which were best aligned to their core purpose and those which support their financial runway as a startup. I’m really looking forward to continuing to work with Upskill.Health following the programme and watching them continue to gain commercial success.

The power of cross-organisation collaboration

A key strength of Accelerating FemTech is its national delivery model, which brings together Health Innovation Networks (HINs) and partners from across the UK.

Alongside Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, the partners for cohort two included: Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust charity (CW+); Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre Scotland; Health Innovation East; Health Innovation East Midlands; Health Innovation North East North Cumbria; Health Innovation North West Coast; Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland; Health Innovation West Midlands; Health Innovation Wessex; Heath Innovation West of England; Mills & Reeve; St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; City St George’s, University of London; University of Liverpool; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; NHS Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust; Royal college of Obstetricians and Gynaecology and others to support nation-wide impact.

Six business coaches from different HINs worked collaboratively, drawing on their lived experience and national networks to offer more well-rounded support. This model enabled:

By helping one another, business coaches were able to provide a wealth of collective knowledge covering the whole innovation process, which is only possible through these partnerships. The additional layer of support provided by subject matter experts and mentors deepened the offer further, helping founders tackle specific challenges and unlock new opportunities.

Why tailored support for women’s health innovations matters

Accelerating FemTech has demonstrated the power of national collaboration across Health Innovation Networks. The programme plays a crucial role in:

FemTech companies are helping dismantle taboos and normalise important conversations in women’s health. This year’s cohort has shown remarkable growth, and it was a personal highlight to see Upskill.Health secure their first commercial contract as part of the programme.

With targeted support, the programme creates a curated pipeline of high-potential companies positioned to improve health outcomes and contribute meaningfully to the UK economy.

Unlocking new paths for success

Many health innovations fall into the "Valley of Death“, a critical phase where early-stage ideas often stall due to limited funding. In women’s health, this challenge is even more evident due to historical underinvestment and systemic inequities.

That’s why the closed Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst feasibility funding call is so vital for FemTech innovators. It provides a rare opportunity to secure a much-needed financial runway, enabling companies to continue developing and scaling their products beyond the life of the programme.

This funding supports not only the sustainability of the companies but also the longer-term impact of the programme itself, ensuring the support, networks, and learnings translate into future success.

Conclusion

Programmes like Accelerating FemTech aren’t just important, they’re transformational. They provide the tools, networks and funding that women’s health innovators need to succeed and ultimately contribute to bridging the gender health gap.

By addressing historic inequities and supporting sustainable commercial success, these initiatives are helping create a more inclusive, equitable healthcare system. As FemTech continues to grow, building on this collaborative model and utilising the Health Innovation Networks to harness nationwide expertise, connections and networks is essential to driving long-term impact and lasting change in women’s health.