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13 Sep 2019
New health technology accelerator programme launches as successful start-ups enter the Greater Manchester Future of Health Challenge

- Healthcare leaders have set local health challenges for start-up companies to address
- Manchester’s devolved healthcare system allows rapid uptake for new solutions
- Successful applicants begin a 12-week accelerator programme with a chance to receive additional support from Google Cloud for Startups to help make their ideas a reality
- Greater Manchester Future of Health programme developed by partners including Up Ventures, Novartis, Google, MediaCityUK, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Health Innovation Manchester
Novartis have announced the launch of the Greater Manchester Future of Health Challenge and named the start-up businesses selected to participate.
This 12-week programme will include training, mentoring and support from leaders in the health and technology space, including Novartis, Google and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, to create new clinical solutions for patients in Greater Manchester and beyond.
Fifteen participants were selected from over 100 applicants who replied to the call for creative use of new technologies to solve some of Greater Manchester’s most pressing health problems. In addition to access to world-class support and expertise, participating start-up companies also have a chance to receive cloud space and additional expert support from Google Cloud for Startups.
Developmental projects entering the programme range from advanced visualisation software and tools to help improve cognition, to home-based care systems that support elderly independent living and a remote thermometer which requires no contact with the patient.
The end of the programme will be marked by an event at The Landing, MediaCityUK in December where participants will showcase what they have learned and their progress towards addressing some of the health challenges within Greater Manchester.
The Greater Manchester Future of Health Challenge is an initiative to identify new solutions based on digital technologies to address some of the most pressing public health problems in the Greater Manchester area. It is a collaboration between Up Ventures, MediaCityUK, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Digital, Health Innovation Manchester, Novartis, Push Doctor, Google, and Apadmi.
The programme asked applicant health technology start-ups and entrepreneurs to submit ideas that could be beneficial to one or more of three focus areas as selected by local health leaders:
- Solutions that improve the experience of those with Dementia and/or Frailty
- Solutions allowing primary care and outpatient services to be delivered in or near the home for patients
- Innovations to allow Digital Nudges to improve Prevention and Public Health
BuddyHub
BuddyHub exists to reduce loneliness and isolation in older people (50+) and promote a more active lifestyle. By using smart technology they better and more efficiently match ‘Members ‘ to ‘Buddy’ volunteers, helping to create a new sustainable friendship circle that is rewarding for everyone.
Cievert
Cievert is a web-based platform that tackles the problems surrounding routine patient follow-up, in particular driving efficiencies and improvement of care for those with long-term conditions.
Collabco
Collabco’s myday platform is designed to improve engagement between users (general public) and providers to improve communication between the user types and enable information sharing and data capture on a global scale.
Evergreen Life
Evergreen Life is a Personal Health Platform allowing people to own their own health records and interact with the health and care system which is then combined with digital nudges, advice and coaching. It also enables the sharing of information with trusted family members and carers to support personal care or the care of others.
Flock
Flock is aimed at people suffering from type two diabetes, obesity, and smoking or alcohol addiction. It uses a unique approach to digital profiling to define what each individual is motivated by and provides a pattern of digital nudges designed specifically for each individual.
Gendius
Gendius is a platform that uses artificial intelligence to calculate an individual’s risk of developing complications from diabetes. The associated secure dashboard enables healthcare professionals to track and monitor patients with the highest need and the hints and tips educate the patient around self-care and prevention of secondary complications.
GiveVision
GiveVision’s SightPlus is a clinically validated low vision aid that helps visually impaired people to see up close and at a distance, thus enabling patients with long-term conditions such as AMD, Diabetes or retinopathy that require regular attendance at outpatient clinics. It has already helped hundreds of low vision patients to improve their sight and work and live independently.
Healum
Healum solutions are intended for people with long-term conditions and use behaviour change interventions to improve lifestyle and support people to self-manage their conditions with support from healthcare professionals when outside the clinical environment.
Holovis
Holovis builds some of the world’s most advanced visualisation and software solutions by bringing together sensing technology, data analytics, and multi-sensory, immersive interactivity to solve problems and measure and monitor patients responses and wellbeing.
Howz
Howz is a smart home system designed to help older people suffering from conditions such as dementia or frailty to stay independent for longer by alerting systems. It learns a person’s daily routine and uses this to detect short term anomalies and long term changes.
ImproveWell
ImproveWell is a quality improvement platform designed to empower frontline staff to drive change using technology that focuses on identifying operational efficiencies to improve the management of experiences and outcomes for patients. From the ward to the board, everyone can make suggestions to improve their workplace.
Konsie
Konsie is bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the home to support elderly independent living, dramatically reducing injuries and loss of independence associated with falls, strokes and immobilising conditions. This helps to maintain wellbeing, health and saves public funds by reducing hospital and care dependency.
Mind Moose
MindMoose helps children understand how their brain works and to develop healthy self-awareness and self-esteem by using fun, interactive digital tools to support early intervention and prevention in children’s mental health. It improves the availability of high-quality, evidence-based resources for the prevention and early intervention treatment in children’s mental health.
My Cognition
MyCognition is dedicated to understanding and improving cognition. Taking a research-based approach has resulted in has an NHS approved, MHRA accredited (CE Mark) device platform that allows a user to comprehensively track, change and consolidate their cognitive health, strengthening their health and mental resilience.
TriMedika
TriMedika is an innovative thermometer that uses no consumables and has zero contact with the patient (infection control and patient comfort). The thermometer delivers cost and time savings for nurses and reducing hospital infections & plastic waste.