The Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator will support new and emerging enterprises in health and wellbeing across three sites in West Yorkshire.
The Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator (HHII) has launched to kickstart new and emerging enterprises in health and wellbeing. A partnership between Kirklees Council, the University of Huddersfield and the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC), it is one of three Incubators that form part of the West Yorkshire Health Innovation and Digital Tech Investment Zone.
Open to all with an interest in health and wellbeing innovation, HHII offers a fully funded, inclusive membership that unlocks access to expert networks, events and collaboration opportunities. Eligible members can also apply for tailored support designed specifically for early-stage start-ups and growing businesses in health and wellbeing.
“This is how we’ll tackle health inequalities and cement West Yorkshire’s reputation as a global leader in healthtech,” said Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Expert help
Operating across three sites in Huddersfield – The Glass Box, 3M BIC and the upcoming Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC) – help at the incubator includes hands-on product development from concept, prototype to testing, with access to expert support and specialist technical facilities; eight to ten weeks of workshops, mentoring, free workspace and funding access for pre-start-up to early-stage businesses; as well as support for growing SMEs such as tailored guidance, co-working space, mentoring and connections to partners like the University of Huddersfield, Business Kirklees and the NHS.
The Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC), due to open next year, will house offices and labs, co-working, meeting and event space and a dedicated space for health and wellbeing product and service development. It will be based in the Emily Siddon Building on the National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC), co-locating alongside the NHS, diagnostic and dentistry expertise.
The intention is that the HHII will also act as a feeder into wider regional initiatives, including Propel@YH, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Local Growth Plan and other national innovation programmes.
“By nurturing these ideas from concept to market, we’re not only supporting entrepreneurs and innovators but also strengthening the region’s capacity to deliver impactful, user-centred health and wellbeing solutions,” said Tim Thornton, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Huddersfield.
