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Email usAccelerating FemTech: 2023-25
Supporting innovators to make a real difference in women’s health
In the UK, women consistently spend more of their lives in ill health or disability compared to men, and the life expectancy for women ranges from less than two years to 12 years or more than men across the country.
Recognising the urgent need for a more inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to healthcare, the Accelerating FemTech programme was created, utilising funding from Innovate UK as part of the Biomedical Catalyst.
It was delivered by the Health Innovation Network South London with DigitalHealth.London and national partners.
As part of the programme, innovators were also supported to prepare for a special closed-call feasibility funding opportunity through the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst. The Biomedical Catalyst is Innovate UK’s flagship grant funding mechanism. It enables small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to test and develop innovative health and care solutions across life sciences, including therapeutics, medical devices and digital health.
Across the two cohorts, 25 companies were awarded feasibility funding through a special closed-call Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst opportunity, available as part of the Accelerator.
This programme is currently closed for applications
Read the programme evaluation
Programme overview
Cohort one
The first cohort of Accelerating FemTech ran from May 2023 to January 2024, supporting 12 UK-based small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing early-stage innovations for women's health.
Across this cohort, the areas of innovation and technology were varied, from topical serums to support intimate health to AI-powered solutions to help women with chronic pelvic pain, and devices to ensure positive wound healing outcomes for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.
100%
of participants agreed they would repeat the programme
83%
of participants agreed that the programme furthered their understanding of potential markets
£1 million
of closed-call funding was won by 10 companies through Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst
Meet the first cohort of companies
Cohort two
For the second cohort, support was broadened to be delivered through funding from Innovate UK in collaboration with the Medical Research Council. The programme ran from November 2024 to March 2025.
It recognised the important role universities play in cutting edge innovation, providing help for 21 UK-based, early-stage SMEs, university spinouts and entrepreneurial-minded academics. Innovations were diverse, branching into areas like domestic abuse, mental health and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
100%
of participants were satisfied with the quality and suitability of the in-person residential days
94%
of participants agreed they would repeat the programme
94%
of participants were satisfied with the quality and suitability of the subject matter experts
Meet the second cohort of companies
"For me, the programme was incredibly impactful — not only from a business learning perspective but also in how it shifted the narrative… It gave me a profound sense of belonging and strengthened my confidence to stand tall as a female founder. I genuinely believe this programme should go global."Accelerating FemTech participant
Programme impact
Across the two cohorts of the programme, 33 early-stage FemTech innovations were supported, of which 66.6% of which were female owned or managed. These companies covered a diverse range of areas related to women's health, including innnovations focused on gynaecology, maternity and the menopause, as well as conditions where women experience gender health inequalities such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
The programme delivered almost 3,000 hours of bespoke support to innovators, including 145 one-to-one subject matter expert sessions and a wide range of networking events, workshops and webinars.
An evaluation of the programme found that:
£1m
of Biomedical Catalyst funding was awarded to 10 innovators (cohort 1)
97.4%
of participants felt expert guidance from the programme supported their business development
78.5%
of participants said they were more aware of important considerations for business development
Read the programme evaluation
Through the bespoke support of the programme and early-stage investment through special closed-call feasibility funding opportunities through the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst, innovators have been provided an impactful environment to develop, connect and grow.
"I’ve never felt more supported. My Business Coach was incredibly helpful, well-connected, always reachable, and always had an answer to my questions… This has been the most transformative accelerator I’ve experienced in terms of progress…"Accelerating FemTech participant
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