“We are honoured to have been selected by the HIN and Innovate UK to deliver one of the prestigious Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator late-stage programmes. The LIHE MedTech Venture Kickstarter is a late-stage programme that leverages the unique MedTech translation expertise and ecosystem built over a decade at King's College London. Companies that are selected to participate will not only receive hands-on support in de-risking their go-to-market strategy, but will also become part of the vibrant and dedicated LIHE ecosystem. We are thrilled to be supporting the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst, and are looking forward to receiving applications from promising companies from across the UK.”
Dr Nicolas Huber, Director, Commercial Operations and Partnerships, London Institute for Healthcare Engineering
17 September 2025
Kickstarting MedTech innovation success – LIHE to deliver new accelerator on behalf of the HIN and Innovate UK
The London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), King’s College London, has launched its MedTech Venture Kickstarter – a structured programme designed to help ventures bring new medical devices to market.
LIHE will deliver the programme on behalf of the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London, as part of a new round of funding released by UK Research and Innovation Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst.
Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst awards grants to support the growth of small to medium businesses to develop breakthrough solutions in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health and more.
Its latest round of grants supports a new round of accelerators for 2025 with the HIN receiving funding to run two late-stage themed programmes; Accelerating Femtech: Evaluate – supporting ventures in women’s health, and the MedTech Venture Kickstarter – supporting the development of novel healthcare technologies.
Since opening its doors in 2024, LIHE has cultivated a thriving ecosystem that brings together leading scientific, regulatory and commercialisation expertise and academic, clinical and industry connections in modern, purpose-built spaces.
In this environment, LIHE experts guide new MedTech ventures through the complex journey from regulatory and quality management system (QMS) fundamentals, to securing funding and investment, and onto clinical and commercial success, making it well placed to deliver the MedTech Venture Kickstarter on behalf of the HIN.
Beginning in November 2025, the programme will help UK-based companies de-risk and stress test their ventures over four months, providing a roadmap for commercialisation and supporting them with MedTech translation, NHS adoption and procurement knowledge.
“LIHE exists to help more medical device ventures succeed, providing an ecosystem of research, clinical and industry expertise through which they can navigate the complexities of delivering their technologies to market and into clinical use. The Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst is a leader in the provision of accelerator grant funding and we are excited to help bring a new cohort of medical ventures to life on behalf of the Health Innovation Network South London.”
Professor Sebastien Ourselin, FREng FMedSci, Assistant Principal (Innovation), Director of the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering
"For the first time under the Biomedical Catalyst, we’re launching two late-stage Accelerators to support ventures moving from clinical validation to commercial readiness. This pilot aims to close the translational gap and help more health innovations reach and impact patients. We are pleased to partner with the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering and Health Innovation Network South London to deliver the MedTech Venture Kickstarter helping UK-based MedTech ventures de-risk and accelerate their path to market."
Samana Brannigan, Head of Health Technologies, Innovate UK
How to apply
Applications for the MedTech Venture Kickstarter close at 12.00 on Monday, 29 September and applicants can find out more about applying at an information session on Monday, 22 September.