What is the MedTech Accelerator?
The MedTech Accelerator, funded by the Wellcome Trust, is Imperial College’s dedicated programme for advancing early-stage medical technologies toward clinical, regulatory, and commercial readiness.
We support high-potential MedTech projects by de-risking development, strengthening value propositions, and enabling teams to progress efficiently along the translation pathway.
A Connected Ecosystem
The Accelerator sits within Imperial’s Enterprise Division and works closely with:
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Industry Partnerships and Commercialisation (IPC)
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Enterprise Lab
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MedTech SuperConnector
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NIHR London IVD Cooperative
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NIHR BRC Bioengineering Theme
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DTPrime Deep-Tech Commercialisation Programme
Under the academic leadership of Prof A.M.J. Bull and Prof Jeffers, the Accelerator also integrates with the Wellcome-funded MedTech Foundation and MedTech Collaborative programmes, ensuring alignment across training, translation, and clinical adoption.
This ecosystem enables teams to access world-class expertise in engineering, clinical science, regulatory affairs, market insights, and entrepreneurship.
Supporting Translation from Concept to Clinical Impact
We run competitive internal calls to select MedTech innovations with strong translational potential. Selected projects receive:
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Managed funding to advance TRL
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Expert guidance across technical, regulatory, clinical, and commercial dimensions
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A tailored Development Action Plan aligned to TRL and market pathways
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Access to Imperial’s QMS and regulatory expertise
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Connections to clinical partners and NHS Trusts
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Support toward follow-on funding, licensing, or spinout routes
Translation requires more than strong science. Projects must demonstrate:
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a clear unmet clinical need
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a credible customer and market opportunity
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a realistic regulatory and reimbursement pathway
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the ability to secure sustained funding
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a capable and committed development team
Our Accelerator helps project teams navigate these interdependent factors with clarity and confidence.
A Proven Model
The Accelerator builds on two successful pilot programmes that generated:
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4 Imperial College start-ups
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4 Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowships
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£3.3m+ in translational funding
We have now expanded this model across multiple clinical areas, supporting a pipeline of high-impact MedTech innovations at the College.
