269

Innovators 
engaged

144

Innovations intensively supported

£67.3m

Private and public investment realised

£2.48m

Awarded in 
WMHTIA grants

5

Innovations 
procured by NHS

Diagnosis:
Consortium-wide triage approach to diagnose your business needs and implement a bespoke
development plan.

Diversification: 
Leveraging the strengths of regional manufacturing innovation to upskill companies and support non-sector companies/supply chains to pivot into Health Tech industry.

Deployment: 
Real-world NHS product usability testing & evaluation services and international market access
support.

Development: 
Access to expert infrastructure and innovation support for product development including
prototyping, regulation, clinical trials and evaluation.

Definition: 
Programmes of targeted training & support to ensure your innovation effects focus on addressing
the most critical needs in the healthcare sector.

Demonstration: 
Ongoing evaluation and sustainability work to refine activities and create regional/national evidence
bases for 'what works' in Health Tech sectoral support - building long-term investment platforms.

he West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) is the region’s hub for health technology - connecting the NHS, universities, investors, and industry to turn ideas into real-world healthcare solutions.

Since launch, it has created one of the UK’s most connected innovation networks, engaging 269 enterprises and giving tailored support to 114 businesses across 20 clinical areas.

Impact so far:

- Funding: £2.48m in grants awarded to innovators and £67m total co-investment leveraged.
- Economy: £38.3m uplift in regional GVA, £45m nationally.
- Jobs: 739+ job-years supported in the West Midlands.
- Innovation: R&D accelerated by 9-10 months on average.
- Procurement: 5 new technologies have been adopted by the NHS following WMHTIA partner support.

The WMHTIA is evolving from a funded programme into a sustainable ecosystem - driving growth, investment, and benefits for patients, clinicians, and communities.

The WMHTIA is for all stakeholders in health, including healthcare, research, and industry. 

We support health tech innovators of all sizes, from start-ups and SMEs to established companies, looking to bring solutions into the NHS and global markets. Our community also welcomes hospitals, research institutions, universities, and industry partners across digital health, diagnostics, medical devices, and more.

Why join?

- Regional strength: Connect with leading universities, NHS trusts, research centres, and a vibrant business base.
- Access and support: Gain direct links to NHS organisations, research institutions, investors, and experts in regulation, manufacturing, and market entry.
- Community: Join a collaborative network with tailored events, partnerships, and opportunities.
- Growth: Access grants, investment pathways, and routes to NHS adoption and international markets.

The WMHTIA is more than a programme. It is a hub where healthcare providers, research organisations, and industry collaborate to accelerate innovation and improve health outcomes.

Join the WMHTIA Community and be the first the first to hear of upcoming events, exclusive workshops, industry showcases, and future support opportunities

No. While the WMHTIA focuses on health technology, we are open to related sectors, supply chains, and cross-industry collaborations.

Location is not a barrier. You don’t need to be based in the West Midlands; we welcome UK-wide and international companies, especially those looking to establish a presence in the region. Our model helps connect you to the West Midlands’ NHS trusts, universities, manufacturing hubs, and investors - wherever you start from.

The WMHTIA is your single front door to a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates innovation and growth.

The WMHTIA delivers strong returns by turning early-stage ideas into scalable health tech businesses.

- 1:3.4: Every £1 of Government funding unlocked £3.4 in co-investment
- £49m private co-investment raised by accelerator-backed companies
- 110+ jobs created across the region

We de-risk opportunities through expert support, clinical validation, and direct NHS connections - giving investors access to a pipeline of ambitious, high-growth companies.

Back the next wave of health tech pioneers and gain both strong returns and meaningful impact.

Need more information? Get in touch with us via wmhtia@contacts.bham.ac.uk

The WMHTIA helps bring life-saving innovations to patients and supports the NHS with tailored support across key areas:

- Clinical & regulatory: Guidance on evidence generation, trials, usability, and compliance for NHS adoption and global markets.
- Business & commercial: Support with value proposition, market insight, customer targeting, and growth strategy.
- Investment & IP: Help with pitch development, securing capital, IP protection, and funding readiness.
- Product & technology: Assistance in prototyping, design, software, AI, data integration, and cybersecurity.
- Team growth & leadership: Mentoring to strengthen leadership, partnerships, and organisational capacity.

Through WMHTIA support, enterprises gain expert resources to accelerate innovation from concept to real-world impact.

Yes. The WMHTIA welcomes international organisations to join our collaborative network that links global companies with UK enterprises, researchers, and the NHS to address healthcare priorities.

The West Midlands offers:

- A diverse population for real-world trials
- Strong partnerships between UK healthcare providers, universities, and industry
- Advanced manufacturing for prototyping and scaling
- An innovation community comparable to London, Oxford, and Cambridge

By joining, partners gain access to this UK ecosystem, fostering collaboration with local enterprises, accelerating NHS adoption, and opening routes into UK and global markets.

For more information on how you can begin pivoting into our region, you can also visit www.wmgrowth.com 

The WMHTIA is a 21-partner consortium uniting universities, NHS trusts, industry, and regional agencies to drive health-tech innovation from lab to patient care.

Partners include:

- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB): Clinical leadership, real-world testing, and regulatory support.
- University of Birmingham: Research expertise in immunology, AI genomics, health tech, and policy.
- Health Innovation West Midlands: Connects NHS, academia, and industry.
- Precision Health Technology Accelerator (PHTA): Incubation space and clinical networks for startups.
- Bruntwood SciTech/Birmingham Health Innovation Campus: Specialist labs, offices, and accelerator programmes.
- University of Warwick (WMHWIN & WMG): Demand-led health innovation networks and advanced manufacturing.
- Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): Prototyping and commercialisation expertise.
- Plug and Play: Global platform linking startups, corporates, and investors.
- Aston University (SPARK The Midlands): Preclinical acceleration, mentoring and regulatory support.
- Birmingham City University (BCU): Digital tools, cybersecurity, and trial support.
- West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC): Investment attraction and relocation support.
- Medilink Midlands: Business support and ecosystem introductions & networking
- Technology Supply Chain: Manufacturing connections, mentoring, and business support.
- Shoosmiths & Forresters: Legal expertise in UP, regulatory, and commercial law.
- Cogniss: No-code platform for digital health applications.
- Element Materials Technology: Compliance testing and certification.
- Our Health Partnership (OHP): Primary care deployment and collaboration.
- Smallfry: Human-centred product design.
- Azets: Business planning, accounting, and tax advice.
- Acuwomen: Growth support for women-led businesses.

The WMHTIA has proven its ability to deliver growth, attract talent, and speed health tech into patient care.

With an extra £4m secured through 2025/26, it will scale impact by strengthening industry partnerships, leveraging private investment, and anchoring health tech jobs in the region.

With continued backing, the WMHTIA can become self-sustaining, driving innovation, boosting the economy, and keeping the West Midlands at the forefront of health tech innovation.