Oxford-based TheHill opens applications for its accelerator programme

TheHill, which is part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has opened the application process for its Market Access Accelerator programme.

The programme is a support scheme aimed at digital health companies with innovations that could address the issues and challenges being faced within the health and care sector today.

Health innovators both within the NHS and in external companies are invited to enter the programme with their breakthrough innovations that can be commercialised within the NHS.

The aim of TheHill, which is the digital transformation arm of Oxford University Hospitals (OHU), is to support the ideas that can help make the NHS more efficient and effective as well as support people and benefit the patients, and give those companies the best possible chance of being selected for use within the NHS.

Megan Morys-Carter, director at TheHill, said: “The Market Access Accelerator is a core part of our support to innovators in the digital health space. We help put innovators in the best possible position to work with the NHS, and our competitive selection process ensures that the start-ups chosen are bringing innovations of real value to staff and patients.”

TheHill is a digital health business support specialist and it first launched its Market Access Accelerator in 2019 as a short intensive course on accessing the NHS for innovators. Since then it has grown into a fully-fledged accelerator programme.

Those selected for the programme will benefit from one-to-one support from a team of experienced mentors, as well as have the chance to join tailormade workshops that focus on the different structures within the NHS, and how procurement decisions are made with different trusts.

As well as this deep dive into NHS structures, programme participants will have introductions to TheHill’s Digital Innovation Ambassador network; the opportunity to pitch to OHU’s procurement senior management; clinician-led workshops; pitch training for investment; the chance to pitch at TheHill’s social mixers; and an introduction to The Hill’s Investor network.

Abdul Gufar, accelerator and digital innovation manager at TheHill, added: “TheHill’s unique position of being embedded within OUH brings a useful perspective which, coupled with an extensive network and enterprise education expertise in digital health, ideally places the Market Access Accelerator to accelerate businesses for the benefit of NHS staff and patients, and provide a springboard for international expansion.”

Interested parties have until February 28 to submit their application.

A similar programme – the DigitalHealth.London Accelerator programme – has just announced its latest cohort of 21 companies all looking to bring their innovations to fruition within the NHS.