Accelerate: Supporting innovation in Wales

As the UK and the rest of the world begin to adjust to the many changes arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, we start to embark on a so-called ‘new normal’ that will redefine the way we work, socialise and live our lives. It is a time to embrace these changes and turn them into new positives, in a way that supports our social well-being, ensuring we stay safe and healthy while building a sustainable and resilient economy.

Moving forward with our new normal also means there is opportunity and potential for development of new products, processes and services that will help in these endeavours. There seems no better time to accelerate innovation than right now, where recent challenges provide opportunities to re-define the way we access healthcare and support, communicate with others, and learn about self-management of our own

health. For many companies, this may mean developing completely new products and services, or it could mean incorporating new ideas to develop existing ones.

The Accelerate programme is here to help businesses and individuals develop and bring to market innovative new products and services that help individuals or health and social care professionals. Maybe you are developing a virtual service like a mental health app for young people, or you are manufacturing products to help support isolated older adults. Maybe you work in the NHS and have an idea to improve remote services, or have potential solutions to some of the challenges now facing clinicians and carers in hospitals and social care settings. We are here to support you with scientific research, guidance, testing, prototyping, user experience evaluation and design thinking. If you work in life science, health and social care or you have a business and are developing innovative ideas, services or products related to these sectors, then we would like to hear from you. All we require is that you have the capacity to match staff time and resources to contribute to an R&D collaboration with the Accelerate University Partners.

Meet the partners

Accelerate is a £24 million co-funded programme by the European Regional Development Fund, the Welsh European Funding Office, Welsh Government’s Health and Social Services group, universities, Life Sciences Hub Wales, and the health boards. The ultimate aim of Accelerate is to create lasting economic value for Wales.

Accelerate is led by Life Sciences Hub Wales, in partnership with Cardiff

University’s Clinical Innovation Accelerator (CIA), Swansea University’s Health Technology Centre

(HTC) and University of Wales Trinity

Saint David’s Assistive Technologies

Innovation Centre (ATiC). Rather than providing funding or grants, the programme offers the opportunity to tap into academic expertise, a thorough understanding of the life sciences ecosystem, and the latest facilities needed by innovators and entrepreneurs to realise their ideas.

Life Sciences Hub Wales’s staff have detailed knowledge of the key challenges and needs of health and care services in Wales. They’re able to

provide access and links across the broader Welsh life sciences ecosystem. Their mission is to help the people of Wales benefit from improved healthcare and economic wellbeing.

Swansea University’s Health

Technology Centre (HTC) offers a team of innovation technologists and academic experts that brings together the NHS, businesses and researchers to build on Swansea’s research strengths in biosensors and devices, bio-informatics and bio-analytics. They

have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to support collaborative projects that drive innovation to improve healthcare in Wales.

University of Wales Trinity St David’s Assistive Technologies Innovation

Centre (ATiC) has expertise in product development and testing, user experience and usability evaluation, behavioural analysis, 3D scanning, human physiological and motion capture, as well as a wide range of prototyping, 3D visualisation and materials research and testing facilities.

Cardiff University’s Clinical

Innovation Accelerator (CIA) has direct access to clinicians, clinical researchers and patients throughout Wales and have an established profile of industry links. They’re able to offer academic and clinical expertise and improved diagnostics linked to precision medicine.

Stay up to date with Accelerate: www.lshubwales.com/programmes/accelerate-programme Email - accelerate@lshubwales.com