The Hill expands flagship start-up support programme for digital health companies
The Market Access Accelerator (MAA) is TheHill’s flagship innovator support programme. Started in 2019 as a short intensive course on accessing the NHS, the 2020 programme was a fully-fledged national accelerator, run over five months for 18 companies in two cohorts.
The early stage cohort developed their value propositions and business models, whilst the later stage focussed on NHS introductions, sales strategies and investment. Both cohorts got a deep dive into the workings of the NHS, including reimbursement pathways, evidence requirements, piloting strategies and insights into the needs of clinicians and managers. Eight companies were presented at our investor pitch day and many are in current conversations with the NHS. In 2020 the programme was moved entirely online.
Rachael Grimaldi, Card Medic Limited attended in 2020 and shares her experience: “TheHill’s MAA exceeded expectations. Excellent mentorship, good speakers, good move to online delivery despite COVID-19 challenges, good list of investors joining the demo day and nice introduction”
For 2021 the programme will extend further with 30 places across two cohorts; 15 in the earlier stage and 15 in the growth stage:
- the earlier stage is aimed at start-ups that have an idea, concept or early prototype and need help to refine the business model and determine their value proposition for clinicians and the NHS
- growth stage companies will be those who have a beta product with regulatory approval (or no need for it) and are ready to set up a pilot, service evaluation or first sale
Abdul Gufar, Accelerator and Digital Innovation Manager, has now launched registration for the 2021 programme: “We anticipate delivering one session per month for 6 months starting in May 2021. Our MAA 2021 will offer over 300 hours of dedicated support to participating companies, including a deep dive into NHS structures, seminars, workshops and 1:1 mentoring support.”
TheHill’s position embedded within the NHS brings a unique perspective which, coupled with an extensive network and enterprise education expertise, is ideally placed to accelerate businesses for the benefit of NHS staff and patients, and provide a springboard for international expansion.
For 2021 commercial sponsors will support the delivery of the programme, with a package of benefits including the opportunity to partner with us on relevant sessions, make an offer to our MAA alumni and be featured on our communication channels. With a few opportunities still available for 2021 and to express an interest for 2022, please contact our partnership team for further details by email [email protected] .
TheHill is a leading digital health business support specialist and clinical network, based at Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, with a wealth of expertise in delivering regional and national programmes coupled with extensive support for entrepreneurs through our Market Access Accelerator.