11 companies funded by the NIHR and SBRI Healthcare put their best feet – and products – forward at a special collaborative showcase designed to help them attract future investment.
Recourse AI, Tutti Toot, QV Bioelectronics and Glycoscore DX were among the small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) shortlisted to present their innovations in front of an audience of industry experts at the online event hosted by BioNow, in partnership with NIHR, SBRI Healthcare and Innovate UK.
The online showcase event, held on 30th March 2022, was designed to mirror the challenge SMEs with promising MedTech, Diagnostic and Digital Health products face when seeking private investment.
The SMEs' presentations were the culmination of the Investment Readiness Programme which gave training and development advice to businesses who had received funding from the NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme and AI in Health and Care Award, SBRI Healthcare or Innovate UK, and who were considering raising future investment of between £100,000 and £2 million.
Joint Director of the NIHR’s i4i and SBRI Healthcare programmes Professor Mike Lewis said:
“The Investment Readiness Programme Showcase is an excellent opportunity for innovators to demonstrate their solutions, getting in front of investors, and honing their approach to seeking follow-on funding. When funders work together to provide such opportunities, it reminds us of the shared potential that exists in our combined networks. This year again, I have been truly impressed by the high quality of the innovations, supported by NIHR, SBRI Healthcare and Innovate UK.”
This was the fourth time the NIHR and SBRI Healthcare have run the Investment Readiness Programme Showcase with Innovate UK and a first time collaborating with BioNow.
Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi, Venture Development Manager at WAPG said:
“Our partnership with NIHR, SBRI Healthcare and Innovate UK is based upon a shared goal of supporting life science innovation; the Investment Readiness Programme is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through a collaborative approach.
“Early stage investment is notoriously difficult to secure, so creating links between funders and founders is essential. We were thoroughly impressed with not only the calibre of the participants but the progress that each company made throughout the programme.”