Upstream Health Joins EIT Health Headstart Programme Aiming To Accelerate Health Solutions Across Eu
Upstream Health has been invited to take part in the annual Health Headstart Programme organised by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
We are one of 96 startups from across Europe to be selected to receive mentoring and financial support to accelerate our development.
The programme assists startups to map out the next steps for market launch and acts as a catalyst for the development and promotion of innovative solutions.
Upstream excelled in the overall EIT Health objectives of strengthening healthcare systems in Europe, promoting better health of citizens and contributing to a sustainable health economy across the continent.
Our solutions are helping to ‘fill the gaps’ for the healthcare industry during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing benevolent care to be socially distanced and still fit for purpose. It has been estimated that our work will save the NHS £1.75 billion per year, while also supporting the backbone of our health service - the unpaid family carers, of which there are 6.5 million in the UK alone.
“We are thrilled to have been given the opportunity as this is confirmation that our social mission is necessary and will benefit those we intend to reach,” says Darren Crombie, CEO of Upstream Health.
“It’s recognition of our well-developed prototype and how we are at the forefront of efforts to ensure healthy ageing is no longer a global crisis. This is a strong step in the right direction and a huge honour for our team. We’re growing exponentially and this funding and guidance are extremely valuable.”
EIT has also recognised that our goals align with their “healthy longevity” award, a topic which is central to our ethos and mission to create preventative solutions and deliver upstream care.
“Each startup selected through the Headstart programme has presented an incredibly strong proposition for the development of solutions to improve the lives of European patients and citizens in areas of high unmet need. I am also proud to see the speed at which our applicants were able to respond to our call for COVID-19 solutions – it is truly a demonstration of the agility and astuteness that lies within the start-up community we have here in Europe,” enthuses Dr Kurt Höller, Director of Business Creation at EIT Health.
Find out more about the EIT Headstart Programme here.