HTCC SME Accelerator

The Healthcare Technologies Capabilities Connector (HTCC) SME Accelerator is designed to support the development of healthcare, biotech, and MedTech innovations, including new potential products, services, or allied technologies. This work was supported by Research England under the Connecting Capability funding stream.

The programme, run in partnership between University of Hertfordshire, Imperial College London, and Cranfield University, is open to SMEs wishing to fast-track their healthcare technology innovations. See examples of expertise.

Successful applicants will access a ‘wrap-around’ package of support worth up to £35,000 (20% match funding required) per company, built around each project, providing access to a designated PG researcher or ‘associate/consultant’ to deliver the project, access to academic, technical and/or industry experts to help them develop and take their ventures forward. Support will include:

Technical aspects of the project, including prototype development/ prototype refinement
Commercial aspects, to explore market potential, viability, routes to market, etc.
Creative aspects including product/service design and/or branding
1:2:1 business mentoring support to help drive the overall project and venture forward
Initial IP/commercial law support

To participate in the programme please register your interest. If you meet the eligibility criteria, a link to the application form will be sent to you by email along with a word version of the form, so this can we worked offline and copied pasted into the form, as the online form doesn’t have ‘save form’ functionality. Deadline for Expression of interest is 15:00, 5 April 2024 and for full application is 17:00, 8 April 2024.

We will notify the selected companies by 17 May 2024.

Who is eligible to apply?
Core (‘must have’) criteria:
- UK-based SME*, registered in Companies House
- Innovative new product/service/technology with the potential to scale-up and generate positive societal impact within the healthcare sector. Innovative product/service needs to be at TRL 3 or above to be part of the programme.
*An SME is defined as a company-
- employ fewer than 250 employees worldwide (including partners and executive directors), and
- has either an annual turnover not exceeding 50m euros, or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43m euros, and
- conforms to the following independence criteria:
An enterprise is considered independent unless 25% or more of the capital or of the voting rights is owned by an enterprise falling outside the definition of an SME whichever may apply, or jointly by several such enterprises. (This ceiling may be exceeded if the enterprise is held by public investment corporations, venture capital companies or organisational investors, provided no control is exercised either individually or jointly, or if the capital is spread in such a way that it is not possible to determine by whom it is held).
Desirable criteria:
Team of at least two entrepreneurs fully committed to making the most of the six-months accelerator programme and support package, including attending regular virtual meetings and occasional in-person activities and/or at least TRL 5 product/service.
Programme Features
The Accelerator will support up to 15 selected companies up to nine-month period.
Expected Outputs: All selected innovators will be supported to develop, test, and/or refine a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), new product, service and/or technology as well as their business models and commercialisation plans.
- Programme timeline
  - Recruitment and selection: Feb – March 2024
  - Shortlisted SMEs notified and onboarded: April 2024
  - Programme launch and start: May 2024
  - Programme Closing and showcase: April 2025
*All timings and programming are subject to change

Frequently Asked Questions

Image of the logos of Cranfield university, Imperial College London, and University of Hertfordshire