The Healthcare Technologies Capability Connector is a new programme offering small and medium-size businesses from across the UK a range of support to accelerate the commercialisation of healthcare technologies such as medical devices and biotechnologies.
Running until the end of June 2025, the programme offers businesses access to academic consultancy, facilities, and spaces from Imperial, the University of Hertfordshire, and Cranfield University. It also supports entrepreneurial academics and research staff at the three institutions.
The Connector is led by the University of Hertfordshire and funded by Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund. It aims to bring innovative technologies that could improve patients’ lives more quickly into clinical use through three separate strands:
Accelerating innovation
Accelerating innovation by businesses
Eligibility: UK SMEs with high-potential healthcare technology innovations
A package of support worth up to £35,000 including access to technical expertise from academics, commercial expertise from industry experts, and one-to-one mentoring.
Accelerating research translation
Eligibility: Academic and research staff at Imperial, the University of Hertfordshire and Cranfield University
Proof of concept funding, mentoring and a training programme.
Developing business skills
Eligibility: Academic and research staff at Imperial, the University of Hertfordshire and Cranfield University and UK SMEs with high-potential healthcare technology innovations.
One-to-one mentoring from industry experts and business skills training.
Further information
Further information about the Connector is available from its homepage on the University of Hertfordshire website.
Express your interest
Access to the Connector is subject to space and eligibility criteria. SMEs from around the UK can access further information from the University of Hertfordshire and should complete an online form to register their interest by 5 April 2024.
If you are an academic or researcher at Imperial please email the Connector team at Imperial to register your interest and we will be in touch soon with more information.
