This Launchpad supports the Government’s goals in the Levelling Up White Paper. This will contribute to West Yorkshire’s ambitions for innovation in health technologies.
The Accelerated Surgical Care HealthTech Research Centre is a member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority HealthTech Cluster.
West Yorkshire Launchpad Webinar Series: Sessions will run from May 2025 – Aug 2025 on Wednesdays from 12-1pm
This Webinar Series is designed to educate innovators, researchers, and companies (local, national & international) on the key stages of developing health technologies, from initial concept to commercialisation and adoption. This series will also highlight the unique assets, expertise, and support available within the West Yorkshire HealthTech ecosystem, showcasing how regional resources and networks can accelerate innovation.
Each webinar will connect participants with members of the local HealthTech cluster, fostering collaboration and alignment with regional health priorities. Recorded sessions will be made available as an on-demand resource, ensuring continued access to guidance and insights for innovators seeking to bring impactful technologies to life.
Registration links will be made available via our Events Calendar page.
Webinar 1 –Navigating the NHS and West Yorkshire’s Health Ecosystem - Thursday 29th May
Objective: Introductory webinar to the series, designed to demystify the West Yorkshire Health & Care system, give an overview of local priorities, signpost companies/innovators on how best to engage with NHS stakeholders in the region, whilst promoting the many assets and support on offer in West Yorkshire.
Audience: Anyone interested in healthcare innovation in West Yorkshire e.g innovators, HealthTech companies, academics, clinicians
Format: Panel
Objective: Following on from webinar 1 around West Yorkshire’s Health Ecosystem & the NHS, this webinar is designed to give an overview of West Yorkshire’s HealthTech Ecosystem and assets, focusing on how innovators/companies can collaborate with the many stakeholders outside of the NHS to support the development, adoption and scaling of their innovations. Focusing on West Yorkshire’s strengths in academia, industry, research and community groups.
Audience: Anyone interested in healthcare innovation in West Yorkshire e.g innovators, HealthTech companies, academics, clinicians
Format: Panel
Objective: After webinars 1 & 2 have given an overview of the West Yorkshire ecosystem, this webinar is designed for early stage innovators/researchers and anyone interested in developing a HealthTech solution, to give them an overview of how to validate their idea and ensure it addresses real needs, with a focus on patient and public involvement and EDI, and how to secure early stage funding and grants.
Audience: Early stage companies/innovators/researchers with prototypes & ideas e.g University Students interested in HealthTech, Clinical Entrepreneurs programmes, early stage companies
Format: Panel
Objective: This webinar will give innovators/companies an overview of the NHS procurement & reimbursement pathways, to help companies think at an early stage about how they will navigate NHS reimbursement pathways and align with procurement strategies. Touching on how to build evidence for adoption but that will be discussed in more detail in webinar 7.
Audience: From early stage innovators/researchers with prototypes & ideas up to early stage companies selling into the NHS
Format: Panel
Objective: Following on from Webinar 4 this session will be for innovators/companies at the next stage who have a validated product and are now looking to get regulatory approval for a Digital Health solution. It will give an overview of the regulatory process for digital health companies, including common mistakes/pitfalls and the support available in West Yorkshire and touch on AI.
Audience: Innovators/Companies with a Digital Health solution who are interested in or about to go through the regulatory process.
Format: Presentation & Q&A
Objective: This session will be similar to webinar 5, but is for innovators/who are looking to get regulatory approval for a Medical Device solution. It will give an overview of the regulatory process for devices, including common mistakes/pitfalls and the support available in West Yorkshire. With the possibility to extend to a 1.5hr webinar and include a focus on manufacturing and the assets available in West Yorkshire.
Audience: Innovators/Companies with a HealthTech Device who are interested in or about to go through the regulatory process.
Format: Presentation & Q&A
Objective: Help innovators clearly define their solution’s value for the healthcare system and population and plan effective clinical evaluations and pilots that produce credible evidence.
Audience: From early stage innovators/researchers with prototypes & ideas up to companies with products ready to implement in the healthcare system
Format: Presentation & Q&A
Objective: Building on the previous webinars to support innovators in designing sustainable business strategies, to prepare them for widespread adoption and long-term success. Focusing on business models for HealthTech, strategies for scaling regionally, nationally, and internationally and sharing WY success stories and lessons learned and leveraging support available in the region.
Audience: From early stage innovators/researchers with prototypes & ideas up to companies with products ready to implement in the healthcare system
Format: Panel
Objective: Help innovators access funding to support their journey from idea to adoption and how to craft a compelling funding pitch. Exploring regional and national funding opportunities, including Innovate UK, Launchpad, and venture capital..
Audience: Innovators/Companies looking for funding and investment
Format: Panel
Objective: Equip innovators with the knowledge and tools to develop sustainable health technologies that align with NHS priorities, reduce environmental impact, and enhance long-term adoption potential.
Audience: anyone interested in innovation & sustainability in West Yorkshire, with a focus on HealthTech companies & Innovators
Format: Panel