INSIGHTS / News

Healthcare innovators are invited to get connected at a SETsquared training event in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Aimed at health-related businesses, entrepreneurs and health sector professionals, the Connection Day will be held at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford on 16 March.

SETsquared, ranked as the world’s best university business incubator, has teamed up with the Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) to run the specialist event.

Delegates will have the opportunity to listen to entrepreneurs who have already grown successful health businesses, join group discussions to explore the challenges of health innovation in the UK and abroad, and find out how to access routes into the NHS.

There will also be business plan workshops based on real life case studies from SETsquared health start-ups.

The event closes with the opportunity for delegates to pitch their innovation to a live panel of investors and entrepreneurs, and get feedback and advice for taking their venture forward.

Simon Bond, innovation director at SETsquared, said: “Our partnership with the AHSN network provides vital routes in for healthcare business start-ups.

“The forthcoming Connection Day will provide the perfect platform for innovators to come along and find out more, to take part in workshops and even pitch at the end of it.”

The Connection Day will also provide an introduction to the Health Innovation Programme, to be held at the University of Surrey on 13, 18 and 21 April. The three day programme gives individuals and small teams the chance to put their ideas for innovation-led health businesses into practice.

Rob Berry, Head of Innovation at the Kent Surrey Sussex AHSN, said: “We’re delighted to be holding this Connection Day with SETsquared and are really looking forward to seeing health innovators and entrepreneurs from across the region joining together to hear from those who have worked to build up their businesses. The wealth of information and practical support available to participants is absolutely invaluable at this stage of their business journey.”

Simon added: “The Health Innovation Programme has previously been delivered successfully in the West of England and Wessex regions and provides world class training to support healthcare professionals, health and life science academics and small businesses and focuses on innovators with a clear business proposition or innovative idea that has application in the health sector.”

To sign up for the Connection Day, or to find out more information about both courses, visit: http://www.setsquared.co.uk/info-industry/support-academic-health-science-networks/kent-surrey-sussex-academic-health-science