A new opportunity for technology startup businesses from across the country is being launched to drive healthcare technologies for children and young people into the NHS.

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is working in partnership with accelerator specialists UP Ventures and venture capitalists Par Equity to deliver a Children’s HealthTech Accelerator programme – KidsUP. Funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Sheffield City Council (SCC) it will work towards creating a healthier future for children and young people through the introduction of innovative new healthtech solutions. The accelerator will be based at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

Over 70 companies with an existing healthcare technology product have already been assessed to take part and 10 will be selected by the accelerator advisory panel which includes children and young people, Par Equity, UP Ventures and Professor Paul Dimitri from Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

Those invited will take part in a 12 week programme for the HealthTech Accelerator which includes mentoring from Sheffield Children’s clinicians and training alongside accelerator specialists UP Ventures.

New technologies such as virtual reality, robotics, artificial intelligence and virtual care are having a remarkable impact in parts of the NHS, but less than 5% of all medical research funding in the UK is allocated to paediatric research and child health technology development.

Professor Paul Dimitri, Clinical Director of Technology and Innovation at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Whilst children and young people currently represent 25 percent of the nation’s population, they are 100% of the future and this is an opportunity to revolutionise our approach to paediatric healthcare.

“This Children’s HealthTech Accelerator is an exciting point in our journey to develop the best and most advanced health technology in the world for children and young people. By bringing up to 10 companies to the programme in South Yorkshire, we are aiming to get new products into the hands of those who need it most. It’s an exceptional opportunity to improve the way children and young people’s healthcare is delivered in the future.”

Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “I refuse to accept that the life of a baby born in Rotherham today is likely to be five years shorter than that of a baby born in a wealthy part of London.

“The poor health that scars our region affects us all. It stops us from making the most of our talents and enjoying the lives we deserve. It holds back our economy. And it blights the chances and opportunities for our children and young people.

“Through programmes like the Children’s HealthTech Accelerator programme, we are building a strong foundation for the next generation.

“I particularly welcome the unique approach of developing these technologies with children and young people.

“It’s not just a question of the life chances of our children and young people. We need to address the health inequalities that South Yorkshire faces so we can build a bigger, better economy for everyone.”

Sheffield Children’s is developing the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT), soon to be built at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. It will be a world-class facility that is dedicated to creating a healthier future for children and young people through innovation, technology, and outstanding care. The creation of this Children’s HealthTech Accelerator works in parallel with the development of the NCCHT, which is also partly funded by SYMCA and SCC. It will focus on collaboration to design, create and test child health technologies. This unique opportunity will change the way we innovate and improve health and healthcare for future generations.

At the end of the programme Par Equity, a venture capitalist investment company, will facilitate pitch opportunities for the companies to present to an audience that will include investors from five international VC investor groups. They will propose their product to venture capitalist firms who may be looking to invest. If successful, companies could market the product into the NHS and healthcare organisations to revolutionise how we care for children and young people now, and in the future.

Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “The impact our future generations will have on society cannot be overstated, they will shape the world we live in moving forward and it is imperative that we do all we can to help them. That includes in healthcare at the earliest opportunity of their lives, and this HealthTech Accelerator, coupled with the National Centre for Child Health Technology at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, playing a fundamental role not just in Yorkshire but right across the country and even the world.”

Giles Moore, Regional Development Manager at Par Equity said: “The National Centre for Child Health Technology is pivotal for the growing startup and technology ecosystem in South Yorkshire. Not only is it an extraordinary development for the North of the UK, it is providing a hub for healthcare innovation worldwide – putting Yorkshire on the map as the place to fast track business, money, talent, infrastructure and expertise. I look forward to seeing what the future holds!”

Danny Meaney, founder and CEO at UP Ventures said: “UP is thrilled to be part of such a groundbreaking venture. Having the Children & Young People’s Panel embedded in the accelerator will ensure that we will be designing and delivering the programme for children and alongside children. I would like to thank SYMCA and Sheffield City Council for their assistance with funding the Accelerator”.

The accelerator is set to launch in Autumn 2024 and will be based at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park while the NCCHT building is constructed, set to open in 2026.