AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator Showcase

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03 March 2021

AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator Showcase

AWRCShowcase screenshot
Everyone ready for the Showcase to start

How we accelerated wellbeing innovation during a pandemic

Last week we welcomed a whole host of attendees to join our Showcase over Zoom to tell them about the success of the accelerator so far, showcase pitches from our most innovative startups and listen to an insightful and engaging panel discussion surrounding research & development (R&D) and innovation.

Whilst we originally planned to have our showcase in London, just like the accelerator programme, we had to pivot to a virtual setting. Similar to the programme itself, the showcase was a great success.

Since it’s inception in April 2020 the accelerator has welcomed 28 participants from 4 continents out of the 108 applicants we received. We’ve come together with 15 programme partners and 78 mentors have offered their support to the programme interacting with the startups over 1,000 times. We’ve held over 31 virtual events and four of our startups have received awards whilst on the programme. Collectively our startups have raised over £1.5 million in investment.

The programme has not only been invaluable for the startups participating but has shown how R&D plays a key role in supporting innovation in wellbeing. This was the central theme of the panel discussion with Jason Brannan (Deputy Director of the AWRC), Ben Heller (Associate Professor in the Centre for Sports Engineering Research at SHU), Aejaz Zahid (Programme Lead at YH AHSN), Lindsey Georgopoulos (Head of Innovation and Deputy CEO at Medipex Ltd) and Phillipa Hedley-Takhar (Business Development Manager at Devices for Dignity). You can watch the full panel discussion below:


AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator Showcase Panel Discussion

12 of the 28 startups participating on the programme had the opportunity to showcase their products in 3-minute pitches from lightbulbs that help you sleep, to GP consultancy videos sent to your mobile phone, devices to prevent night time falls and everything in between.  We heard from Alsad Medical, Bedtime Bulb, Buddyboost, Etexsense, Golf in Society, GP Video Library, JT Rehab, KiActiv, Liminal Health, Peak Medtek, Salus Fatigue Foundation and Selfit Medical.  All of the startups on the programme fit into one of three key themes; healthy and active 100, living well with chronic disease and technological and digital innovations to promote independent lives. The pitches showcased how new and innovative ideas can promote and have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. You can watch all the pitches below: 

AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator Showcase Pitches

You can watch the full recording of the showcase through this link. 

If you would like to get in touch with any of our startups please reach out to us at wellbeingaccelerator@shu.ac.uk and you can follow us on Twitter for updates @SHU_AWRC.