Accelerating FemTech

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Accelerating FemTech helps UK-based, early-stage companies, university spinouts and entrepreneurial-minded academics focused on women’s health to gain the commercial and funding momentum they need for long-term success.

 

Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate is currently closed for applications.

Learn about Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate

The programmes

The first cohort of Accelerating FemTech ran from May 2023 to January 2024, with companies being awarded more than £1 million in funding through a special closed-call feasibility funding opportunity through the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst.

The second cohort ran from November 2024 to March 2025, supporting 21 early-stage companies, university spinouts and entrepreneurial-minded academics.

The programme was delivered by the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London and partners across the UK. It utilised Innovate UK funding as part of the Biomedical Catalyst, and cohort two in collaboration with Medical Research Council. It builds upon the experience of running the award-winning DigitalHealth.London, Propel and other innovator support programmes from the health innovation networks.

Learn about Accelerating FemTech: 2023-25

Building on the Accelerating FemTech programme for early stage companies and recognising the demand for tailored support from innovators at more advanced stages of development, Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate is designed for women’s health innovations with a technology readiness level (TRL) 4 or above. Applications are now closed for this programme. It is an Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator.

Learn about Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate

Interested in collaborating with Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate? Get in touch

Accelerate your FemTech innovation

We have proven track record of supporting early-stage innovators from across the UK, who are looking to take their innovation for women’s health to the next level.

Building on the HIN’s experience of running the award-winning DigitalHealth.London Accelerator, at the heart of Accelerating FemTech is a 10 week programme of learning, networking and collaboration. The learning programme helps innovators with targeted workshops, peer learning and tailored mentoring, which are lead by subject matter experts, business coaches and the HIN team. This element of Accelerating FemTech aims to enhance product development, entrepreneurship skills and stakeholder engagement across the healthcare system.

The programme of learning

  • Insightful workshops from subject experts on regulation, marketing, pitching and more

  • Individual support to navigate the NHS and engage with key stakeholders

  • Meetings with mentors and business coaches to help champion the important work taking place at your university or company

  • Opportunities to network and collaborate with peers from across the FemTech industry

  • Tailored support to prepare for Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst, with funding to develop your innovation

Accelerating FemTech utilises funding from Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst. Accelerating FemTech cohort 2 was delivered with funding from Innovate UK in collaboration with the Medical Research Council.

 
Looking for other support? Find out more about our DigitalHealth.London programmes.

Female clinician using tablet

Logos for Innovate UK, Health Innovation Network South London, Health Innovation Network, Medical Research Council, Digital Health.London, DHI Scotland, Eastern HIN, EastMid HIN, WestMid HIN, NE and North Cumbria HIN, Northwest Coast HIN, West of England HIN, Yorkshire and Humber HIN, HIRANI, CW+

Accelerating FemTech is delivered in collaboration with partners and supporters from across the UK.

Female clinician using tablet

Female clinician using tablet

What our alumni say

 

In 2023, we launched a new initiative called Accelerating FemTech. Through the programme, our alumni have achieved commercial and funding success, from securing a share of over £1 million of closed-call funding from the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst to growing professional networks and learning more about potential markets for innovations.

 

  • 100% of companies in cohort 1 would repeat the programme and said that conversations with experts helped provide insights to develop their project and business, as well as expand their network, ultimately feeling that the programme equipped them for the BMC application. In cohort 2, 94.7% of companies said they would
    repeat the programme. This change in satisfaction is attributed to the wider spread of innovation maturity due to the size of cohort 2.
  • 97.4% of companies felt expert guidance will help business development. Across the two cohorts, residential events were well received across both cohorts (4.4/5 from cohort 1 and 4.6/5 from cohort 2) with the chance to network with peers and experts cited as a highlight.

  • Great NPS category for both cohorts were in the Great category (66.7 and 53 respectively).

Read the programme evaluation

Learn more about our alumni

  • The Accelerating FemTech alumni are addressing important women’s health issues through their innovations. These solutions have the potential to make a real difference to women’s lives, from AI-driven menopause support systems to hormone monitoring devices, at-home cervical screening kits and revolutionary maternity training platforms. These exciting innovations offer a snapshot of how digital technology is shaping women’s health for the better.
    Find out more about the companies from Accelerating FemTech cohort one, their innovations and the fantastic work they’re doing to help address urgent challenges in women’s health: