Imperial News

Programme offers researchers training and funds to develop medical technologies

by David Silverman

The next cohort of MedTech SuperConnector will offer selected early-career researchers support to turn research into medical technology ventures.

The accelerator programme provides postdocs, research fellows and late-stage PhD candidates from eight London institutions with training, mentoring, funding of up to £45,000 and a salary replacement (subject to eligibility) to develop early-stage medical technology (med tech) ventures.

The next cohort of MedTech SuperConnector begins in November 2021, with an application deadline of 5 September and virtual information sessions on 17 and 26 August.

The programme, which is currently inviting applications for its next six-month cohort, is designed to advance med tech innovation by harnessing the expertise of researchers from a range of disciplines, including not only medicine and bioengineering but also fields as varied as computing, fashion, and performance science.

Past participants include fashion and robotics expert Dr Caroline Yan Zheng, whose venture SimTouch is developing a wearable robotic device to improve mental wellbeing by mimicking human touch, and biomedical scientist Dr Ana Gomes, whose venture mPixl Technologies is developing a non-invasive method for monitoring haematological cancer.

Applicants should have a technology concept arising from their research with potential applications in med tech but need not have prior experience in med tech or entrepreneurship. The SuperConnector helps participants to develop their entrepreneurship skills through classes, coaching and access to industry experts while they work to commercially develop their technologies and ventures.

Applicants should have a technology concept arising from their research but need not have prior experience in med tech or entrepreneurship. The SuperConnector helps participants to develop their entrepreneurship skills.

Participants need agreement where applicable from their Principal Investigators, who benefit from the programme by having more commercially aware team members and a rapid route to real-world impact.

The next cohort of MedTech SuperConnector begins in November 2021, with an application deadline of 5 September and virtual information sessions on 17 and 26 August that will allow researchers to hear from the MedTech SuperConnector team and decide if the programme is right for them.

Participants can come from any of the eight partner institutions: Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London, Bucks New University, Francis Crick Institute, Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music, Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Veterinary College.

Learn more and apply

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