Launchpad FAQs

The DigitalHealth.London Launchpad programme is for London-based digital health companies with a product or service that has high potential to meet the current challenges facing the NHS and social care and is nearing launch into the 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 an eight-week 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

Provisional workshop dates for the Launchpad programme starting in January 2023 are as follows:
– 9 January, 10-11:30: Onboarding
– 18 and 19 January, 10-12: Pitching
– 24 January, 10 – 11:30: NHS structure and funding flow
– 31 January, 10-11:30: Evidence generation
– 7 February, 10-12: Communications
– 14 February, 10-11:30: Regulatory compliance and information governance
– 21 February, 10-11: Intellectual property and patenting

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 the DigitalHealth.London team.

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 12 hours (minimum) of support from the programme
– NHS need for the product or process
– Potential of the company to benefit from the programme

For reference, you can find a list of the application questions here. This reference document can be used to draft your answers, but please ensure you transfer the answers to the Typeform and submit in order to be considered for a place on the programme.

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. We unfortunately cannot accept sole traders or charities to this cohort of the Launchpad programme, due to restrictions on the current source of funding.

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 and are nearing launch into the health and social care market. Watch back our Launchpad 101 Webinar here.

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.

Watch back our Launchpad 101 Webinar here.

Should you still have any questions, please email info@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.