Innovators in the South learn to take ideas forward in healthcare

Entrepreneurs and health sector professionals in the South came together in Winchester on 17 March to discuss the critical importance of innovation to healthcare improvement.

The Connection Day event, hosted by SETsquared and the Wessex Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), provided 70 participants with the chance to hear from successful entrepreneurs, investors and experts from SETsquared’s network.

Directors from SETSquared and Wessex AHSN are supporting entrepreneurs in healthcare

People who attended heard case studies from entrepreneurs with successful health businesses, took part in group discussions exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with health innovation and learnt how to create a compelling case for a start-up enterprise.

Andy Burroughs, director of wealth and enterprise at Wessex AHSN, said: "Connection days like these are very important for entrepreneurs and innovators to be able to learn from the experts, validate the strength of their idea and think about the best way to turn it into something tangible."

Wessex AHSN Director of Wealth & Enterprise, Andy Burroughs, presents at SETsquared Connection Day

Simon Bond, Innovation Director at SETsquared, said: "We’re very pleased that so many local entrepreneurs and health professionals have access to the right knowledge and experience through our partnership with the Wessex AHSN. It’s vital that these groups develop the skills to produce high quality business plans to back up their innovative ideas. The sessions today have greatly helped them with this."

Following the one-day event, SETsquared and the Wessex AHSN have teamed up to provide a three-day healthcare innovation programme in April. Visit www.setsquared.co.uk/event/wessex-academic-health-science-network-health-innovation-programme to apply for a place on the programme.

Delegates enjoy workshops at the Connection Day

SETsquared joined forces with four Academic Health Science Networks in the South of England in November last year to set up the revolutionary new programme that will see more effective and better value healthcare technologies benefiting patients quicker than ever.