Applications are open until 28 September

MSK Innovation Accelerator Programme

This is the only accelerator programme specifically created for innovators working on solutions to improve the lives of the millions of people suffering from poor MSK health.

It involves a 6 month intensive learning journey, providing participants with entrepreneurship training, masterclasses and access to expertise. The accelerator learning content is part-time.

Based within Imperial College London and forming part of its entrepreneurship support offering, MedTech SuperConnector is a collaboration of leading academic institutions with a shared vision to support early career researchers in the development and translation of their early-stage medtech innovations.

This short video will give you a summary of what the programme involves.

Why apply?

Receive over £80,000 worth of academic and commercialisation support from one of the world’s leading Universities. Unlike some accelerators, our MSK programme is available to eligible participants without any requirement for you to part with equity or any joining fees.

  • Roadmap your path to commercialisation: develop a roadmap to guide you through the complex journey of product development through to market.
  • Expand Your Network: introduce you to individuals and networks with the knowledge and keys to doors that are notoriously difficult to find and open.
  • Investment and Growth Opportunities: you will have the opportunity to pitch your venture to the ORUK Investment Committee which could result in up to a £100k investment by ORUK. 
  • Ongoing support from ORUK: you will benefit from access to our Joint Venture MSK Innovation Network, which includes fellow entrepreneurs, investors, clinicians, major manufacturers and others involved in MSK innovation. You can access ad hoc support and advice from our clinical experts. 

Who can apply?

This programme is open to MSK related Innovations at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or above from research fellows, postdocs & late-stage PhD candidates or innovators from Academic Research Centres, Small to Medium size Enterprise with research laboratories, or clinical institutes with a medical technology in development in the lab or digital environment.

  • Technologies should be at a minimum of proof concept stage, TRL3
  • Be looking to explore the commercialisation or licensing of their technology
  • Applications are accepted from both institutional and non-institutional IP
  • Postdocs and PhD candidates must have support from their Principal Investigator or research supervisor to be on the programme
  • Written support from your Tech Transfer Office
  • Applicants must own, or have explicit written permission to use, exploit and commercialise the innovation’s IP* 
  • Protectable IP (this does not need to have been filed yet)
  • UK based

*Note: MTSC does not take equity or any claim to existing IP or any that is developed during the programme

You do not need to have an incorporated company in order to apply. However, you must be incorporated to be considered for investment by ORUK.

What are the key dates?

The programme will run from late autumn 2025 until spring 2026.

  • Application period: 01 August – 28 September 2025
  • Interviews with shortlisted applicants (virtual): TBC
  • Programme kick-off (in-person, London): late November 2025
  • Mid-programme check-in (in-person, London): TBC
  • Pitching to ORUK Investment Committee: Spring 2026

Dates are to be confirmed but successful applicants should be prepared for an in person kick-off in London in late November 2025. Please continue to visit the MedTech Superconnector webpage for updates.

The programme will be delivered over 6 months and will be hybrid in its delivery, with the only mandatory in-person events being the kick-off and mid-programme check-in. In addition to masterclasses and 1:1 sessions, there will be a digital learning component that includes 3 modules to complete in your own time before the conclusion of the programme. To make the most of the programme we suggest dedicating between 2-5 hours per week to the content (masterclasses, 1:1 sessions, digital learning).

Will I get an investment by ORUK at the end of the programme?

Investments made by the ORUK Investment Committee will be determined on a case-by-case basis, subject to ORUK’s funding terms and conditions.

How to apply

Find full programme details and to apply visit: medtechsuperconnector.com 

Please submit your completed application by 23:59 on Sunday 28 September 2025. Any applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

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Testimonials

MSK Innovation Accelerator - Participants' Perspectives

Cohort Two

Coming out of the accelerator, it just gave me more confidence to pursue my spin-out idea. It proved to my academic team that this is worth going for, and it kickstarted the next phase for me. The program was a personal ‘go/no-go’ point – it showed me I had the right stuff to be a CEO and lead a company forward.

Dylan Ashton

Bone Cap