Launchpad FAQs
We have answered our most frequently asked questions, to help you decide if this is the right programme for your company and to support you during the application process. If you still have questions, please email: applicationsdhla@digitalhealth.london
The Launchpad programme is for digital health companies with a product or service that has high potential to meet the current challenges facing the NHS and social care today, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and as detailed in the NHS Long Term Plan. The Launchpad is for companies at an early stage of developing a product or service and are nearing launch into the health and social care market.
The Accelerator programme is for companies who have a product or service that has already been piloted in the NHS and is ready to scale.
The programme will provide up to 12 hours of support to participants over a three-month period. Support will consist of:
• Workshops
• Bespoke 1:1 advice from DigitalHealth.London digital health consultants
• Advice from key founding and strategic partners to bring rich and diverse expertise across healthcare innovation
The Launchpad does not provide direct funding and cannot formally advise on funding or make specific introductions.
Subject to government guidelines, the Launchpad programme will be a hybrid programme, involving mainly virtual delivery with opportunities for face-to-face sessions where appropriate. We continue to work in partnership with our companies to design our Launchpad programme to ensure the format works for them.
It is increasingly important that digital solutions address both health and social care problems, and the DigitalHealth.London Launchpad accepts applications from companies offering solutions in both the health and social care sectors. DigitalHealth.London has supported several companies in the social care space and have relationships with key stakeholders enabling us to deliver a programme that meets the needs of companies and the developing integrated care landscape.
Companies are invited to apply for the programme through a short application form. Applications will be scored by DigitalHealth.London team members before shortlisting. Shortlisted candidates will be offered an interview with a senior member of the team and a DigitalHealth.London NHS Navigator.
At both the application form stage and at interview, applications will be scored for their suitability for participation in the DigitalHealth.London Launchpad in three areas:
• Credibility of the company to develop and launch the product by the end of the three-month programme
• NHS need for the product or process
• Potential to benefit from the programme
For reference, you can find a list of the application questions here.
1. Companies must demonstrate compliance with the EU definition of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) at the time of embarking on the programme http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/business-friendly-environment/sme-definition_en. If you are not sure whether you meet the criteria, we will be able to make a judgment based on your responses to questions in the application form.
2. Companies need to be registered with Companies House, or the equivalent in country of trading. We can accept sole traders, providing you have a unique tax reference number. If you are a charity, please contact dhlaapplications@digitalhealth.london to discuss before applying.
3. Companies wishing to take part in the DigitalHealth.London Launchpad must be based in London, through a dedicated London office or a shared working space with commitment to doing business in London.
4. Companies need to be below the threshold of the European Commission’s De Minimis Regulation, which allows an undertaking to receive up to €200,000 worth of assistance over any three-year fiscal period. The amount of de minimis aid that a company will receive through the Launchpad is estimated to be worth £3,000.
The Launchpad programme is for digital health companies with a product or service that has high potential to meet the current challenges facing the NHS and social care today, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and as detailed in the NHS Long Term Plan. The Launchpad is for companies at an early stage of developing a product or service and are nearing launch into the health and social care market.
Any public body or publicly funded body giving assistance to a company should clearly communicate that the support fall under state aid rules from the outset. Following the end of support, the recipient should receive a certificate detailing what support was given and how much state aid the support equated to. If you are unsure, please contact the organisation who provided the support. The most common state aid support we see in applications for the programme are:
– Innovate UK, where a majority of their support through their research, development and innovation scheme falls within state aid rules.
– Knowledge Exchange and Embed Partnerships
Our Twitter should provide all the information you need. Follow us on Twitter to find out when the next information event will be taking place.
Should you still have any questions, please email applicationsdhla@digitalhealth.london with any queries and someone from the team will be happy to help you. In the unlikely event we are unable to answer your question over email, we will happily set up a call with an appropriate team member.
Unfortunately, once you have submitted your application, you are unable to edit your answers. We recommend applicants review and proofread applications before submitting.
Due to the large number of applications we receive we do not offer feedback if applicants are not successful at the application review stage. All unsuccessful interviewees are offered a feedback call with a panel member.