Another innovation first for Kainos
Kainos, the Belfast-headquartered technology company, is helping to drive innovation through collaboration with start-ups. Working alongside the delivery team at Queen’s University Belfast and in partnership with Innovate UK and Pioneer Group, Kainos has sponsored the DigiHealth Lean Launch Programme.
As Kainos and Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, have a history of exploring innovative ideas and services together, the partnership on the DigiHealth programme was a natural extension of this relationship.
The programme is a game changing 10-week initiative that helps innovators explore their ideas. They research if technology can make their ideas come to life and whether there is a market for their product or service. At the end of the programme the teams are ready to take the next steps and pitch their ideas to investors.
The Kainos DigiHealth Lean Launch Programme was open to all teams with a Digital Health Innovation idea from across the UK and Ireland, with the first cohort of 12 teams recruited in September 2022. The selected projects ranged from innovations in health monitoring, symptom management and wellbeing.
The 10-week programme provided funding and guidance about everything a start-up needs to explore an idea or opportunity. Participants were able to conduct market research and build their business model. They learned how to explain their ideas to potential customers and meet a wide variety of entrepreneurs, investors and funders. Throughout the process they received the support of the Innovation Services team at Kainos, who supported them in every aspect of the process.
Alison Coote, Head of Product and Entrepreneurial Lead at Kainos said “Kainos has grown from a micro-business to a 3000-person global organisation, so we recognise the challenges in turning ideas into successful products and services. We are delighted to share our views, and provide advice and support to start-ups, helping them make informed decisions. We have enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside Innovate UK, Queen’s University and the range of innovative start-ups and are delighted to support the next generation of founders.” She adds “I have the best job at Kainos as I get to hear about so many interesting and varied ideas to solving problems which impact our daily lives.”
Emma Burke, Innovation Lead for Commercialisation at Innovate UK commented, “Not only do companies such as Kainos provide a live case study for others considering embarking upon their innovation journey but their track record and engagement in the programme at this level provides insight into their ability to think and act differently. They provide solutions to emerging challenges in the marketplace. We hope to see more commercial partners join Kainos in sponsoring programmes going forward.”
Image shows Brian McCaul, Queens University Belfast and Alison Coote, Kainos.
Further information:
The Lean Launch Programme is part of a wider programme pathway for Innovate UK aimed at commercialising research for University Teams and Public Sector Research Enterprises (PSREs). “Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research” (ICURe) is the UK leading early-stage research accelerator programme. It guides academic researchers through the process of refining and validating the commercial potential for some of the world's leading-edge science, technology, and knowledge assets. The programme has been funded by Innovate UK and since 2013 has helped create over 150 new companies by supporting more than 1,650 participants explore the commercial potential of their research. To find out more about the programme, click the link below.
https://www.icureprogramme.com/