​Join us at the WMHTIA International Assembly – an inaugural global showcase of the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator and the wider West Midlands health tech sector. 

​​Delivered in collaboration with the WMHTIA consortium, Innovate UK and supported by the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) – this flagship event will bring together a UK and international audience of health tech innovators, funders, researchers, clusters, NHS, suppliers and sector specialists.  

​​Register to: 

• ​​Gain insights from experts and network with leading industrial and research players in the field 

• ​​Collaborate with like-minded innovators from the UK and beyond  

• ​​Extend your global networks and identify partners for international research and innovation projects 

• ​​Connect to global DBT and Innovate UK initiatives including Global Innovation & Incubation Programmes. 

• ​​Develop opportunities for investment as well as funding for international collaborative projects through programmes such as Horizon Europe, EUREKA and the European Innovation Council (EIC).  

​​To ensure that you gain as much value as possible from your visit, we have developed a comprehensive agenda of activities. 

​​Agenda

​​High-level plenary session

​Hear about the flagship West Midlands WMHTIA and its achievements alongside insights from leading experts on the latest market and technology trends in health tech.

​Plenaries including:

• ​Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands

• ​Jo Pisani, Chair of the WMHTIA and Chair of the Precision Health Technology Accelerator (PHTA)

• ​Professor Neil Hanley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor & Head of the College of Medicine & Health at University of Birmingham

• ​Richard Phillips, Executive Director of Policy and Partnerships at Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI)

• ​Claire Nicholson, Group Sales and Marketing Director Kimal PlC

• ​Dr Ernesto Chanona, Vice President, Business Development & Alliance Management at CSSi Life Sciences, USA

• ​Professor Fang Hsu-Wei, Director of High-Value Biomaterials Research and Commercialization Center, National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan

​Workshop leaders also in attendance:

• ​Steve May-Russell, CEO, Smallfry/Former Chairman - British Industrial Design Association

• ​Dr Miguel Fernandez-Vicente, Senior Research Engineer - Department Product Development Manager, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)

• ​Jo Frost, Horizon Europe UK National Contact Point for Health & Global Innovation Lead for Health at Innovate UK

• ​Judith Stewart, Economic, Commercial and Business Development Director at Health Innovation West Midlands

• ​Dr Junaid Arshad, Professor & Deputy Head of College, College of Computing, Birmingham City University

• ​Dr Randhir Tindal, Regulatory Affairs Consultant, Aston University

​​Health Tech Brokerage Event led by Innovate UK Business Growth  

​​Take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to set up one-to-one meetings with likeminded innovators, market players and industry experts from across Europe and beyond. 

​​Please note: Registered event delegates will receive a confirmation email providing a link to register and create a profile on B2match – an intuitive networking tool allowing you to schedule targeted meetings with fellow event registrants. 

​​Workshops 

​​The WMHTIA prides itself on uniting the region’s key players under one cohesive programme.  

​​To demonstrate the services and breadth of expertise our partners can provide, we have developed 9 interactive workshops offering practical guidance on a range of themes connected with health tech and the process of developing and bringing new technologies to market.

​​​A total 9 workshops will be taking place over the course of two periods, enabling you to attend 2 different workshops of your choice.

​​​Please indicate on the registration form the 2 workshops that you would be interested in attending. This will allow our team to gauge interest and plan accordingly. Expressing your interest in a workshop is not understood as commitment at this stage.  

​​Workshop 1 - How the Department for Business and Trade can help you with your international business development 

​​Led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) 

​​DBT offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support UK businesses in their international growth efforts. By leveraging these resources, businesses can enhance their global presence, overcome challenges in international markets, and achieve sustainable growth. 

​​Join this session to find out how DBT can assist with the following services: 

​​Market research and insights, Export services, Business support and advice, Regulations and compliance, Networking and Partnerships and Digital Trade Support & Resources. 

​​The session will feature a panel discussion with 2 Export Champions and DBT Advisers, followed by roundtable meetings with DBT advisers. 

​​Also seize the opportunity to meet with the advisers on a one-to-one basis by registering for the Brokerage Event. 

​​Workshop 2 - Ideas to Investment: Preparing your business to secure capital  

​​Delivered by Azets, Forresters & Shoesmiths 

​​Experts from leading professional service firms Azets, Forresters and Shoosmiths will present a case study outlining best practices for securing funding.

​​This workshop will cover several topics that prospective funders are likely to scrutinise, including scenario planning/developing financial models, intellectual property, and existing contractual obligations. 

​​You should attend this workshop if your business is preparing to become investor ready. 

​​Workshop 3 - Why the West Midlands is the ideal location for your healthcare & life science business 

​​Delivered by Medilink Midlands & West Midlands Growth Company 

​​The West Midlands region in the UK presents a compelling proposition for businesses in the healthcare and life science sector. It houses the nation's leading health and life sciences cluster, with the highest concentration of medical technology companies.  

​​Join this workshop to gain a comprehensive understanding of this thriving ecosystem. You will be equipped with the information you need to make an informed decision about moving your healthcare and life science business to the West Midlands.  

​​Learn about funding opportunities, network with key players, and discover how the region can accelerate your success.  Don't miss this chance to explore the exciting possibilities that await in the heart of the UK's healthcare and life science sector. 

​​Workshop 4 - Innovate UK: Supporting global innovation 

​​Delivered by Innovate UK 

​​Innovate UK can support businesses grow and scale globally, helping them to access knowledge, develop new partnerships and explore international innovation opportunities. This workshop will introduce the international programmes that Innovate UK offer, to help organisations to:  

• ​​Build relationships with businesses, research organisations, investors and governments in other countries;

• ​​Collaborate with international partners and innovate together; 

• ​​Explore innovation opportunities and future market potential.  

​​Find out about Horizon Europe, the Global Incubator Programme (GIP), the Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP), EUREKA and other support that is available for businesses to grow and scale globally. 

​​Workshop 5 - One-to-one surgeries on Health Tech regulation led by SPARK The Midlands 

​​Led by Aston University (SPARK The Midlands) & national SPARK experts 

​​Aston University’s SPARK The Midlands team is bringing you a specialist surgery providing individual innovators with guidance on compliance, regulation, and healthcare industry standards.  

​​Whether you are an international innovator looking to gain an understanding of the UK regulatory landscape or you’re a regional start-up, it’s essential to develop a pathway that meets regulatory requirements in conjunction with product development and other strategies. 

​​The SPARK team is offering a unique opportunity to engage in private, focused sessions with regulatory affairs experts who bring a wealth experience in health and med tech regulation.  

​​These one-to-one consultations will allow you to address your specific challenges, ask detailed questions, and receive tailored advice ensuring your technology has a roadmap that meets all regulatory criteria. Don’t miss this chance to gain direct access to industry leaders and enhance your knowledge of the regulatory landscape.  

​​Workshop 6 - Strategic Partnerships: Maximising the potential 

​​Led by Plug and Play 

​​Plug and Play are providing their expertise in corporate innovation and start-ups to deliver a session on strategic partnerships for health tech start-ups. This session will explore how collaborations can drive success and growth in the health tech sector. 

​​The key areas that will be discussed during the session will include: 

• ​​The benefits of strategic partnerships for early-stage health tech start-ups with real-life examples

• ​​Common misconceptions regarding start-up-corporate partnerships (including the stage of product development). 

• ​​Step-by-step guide to landing a strategic partnership - with roadmaps and stakeholder maps 

• ​​From Pilot to Paid Partnership 

• ​​Partnerships with Universities vs Corporations 

• ​​Conclusions 

​​The workshop will then conclude with a Q&A. 

​​Whether you're a health tech innovator seeking your first pilot studies or looking to boost your credibility, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights on forging strategic partnerships in the health tech industry. 

​​Workshop 7 - Land and Expand: Cultural considerations in product design and manufacturing 

​​Led by Smallfry and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) 

​​For any company with plans to expand its geographical footprint, it is critical to recognise and design for the cultural nuances of the target location.  

​​Employing a design team with experience in the region and backed by sophisticated inhouse market research capability can significantly enhance your chances of success. This approach ensures that products, services, and marketing campaigns are culturally relevant and resonate well with local audiences. 

​​In this workshop, Smallfry and MTC will guide you through the intricacies of entering a new geographical market and expanding your design or manufacturing operations in the area. You'll gain valuable insights into establishing a qualified priority of requirements, accommodating key stakeholder needs, and cultural considerations critical for your success. 

​​Workshop 8 - Operation NHS: How to get on the table - A guide to working with the NHS 

​​Led by Health Innovation West Midlands, West Midlands Health and Wellbeing Innovation Network (WMHWIN) and Our Health Partnership

​​The UK’s National Health Service is a complex, fragmented and tricky marketplace, but we recognise the role Innovation has in solving many of those seemingly intractable challenges. How do you as an innovator navigate the systems to get in front of the right people, and how do they then influence the decision makers?

​​Learning from examples of successful innovators, we will explore the NHS Market, who the decision makers are, and the crucial elements needed to make the case for your innovation to become embedded in our health systems.  

​​Workshop 9 - Transforming healthcare through AI powered innovation 

​​Led by Birmingham City University and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 

​​More information to follow. 

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​For any enquiries, please contact wmhtia-events@contacts.bham.ac.uk 

​The WMHTIA Is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority.