Ten start-up companies working at the interface of biomedical and data science are to receive personalised mentoring and coaching as part of the KQ Labs accelerator programme, run by the Francis Crick Institute and funded by the medical research charity LifeArc in partnership with Cancer Research UK and UK SPINE.
What will the selected companies receive?
The new cohort, consisting of companies looking to tackle health challenges and diseases including diabetes, cancer and multiple sclerosis, will also benefit from funding in the form of a convertible loan, and introductions to key investors and major corporates.
The programme is aimed at accelerating early-stage start-ups and providing training to create future leaders. A key ambition is to catalyse development of a data-driven health ecosystem in the UK, validating new ideas and putting exciting companies on the path to receive further investment.
Official comments
Barbara Domayne-Hayman, Entrepreneur in Residence at the Crick and lead for the KQ Labs accelerator, said: “The strength of our programme is in our growing network, and these new companies will join our supportive family of alumni, mentors and investors. I’m incredibly excited to see companies from across the country focusing on such a diverse range of health challenges participating in our programme this year.
“By highlighting and nurturing the innovation occurring at the health-data interface, we can reinforce the UK’s position as a major force in artificial intelligence, health and life sciences, and encourage crucial investment in companies that have the potential to change the face of future healthcare.”
Andrew Farquharson, who leads the technology transfer team at LifeArc said: “We are delighted to be supporting the KQ Labs accelerator for a second year and to be working with the Crick to build a world-class cluster of data-driven health start-ups in the UK.”
He continues: “KQ Labs is a great example of how LifeArc strategically combines translational funding and translational advice to accelerate early innovations towards the clinic. Working with the Crick, we can support these promising data-driven health companies to create solutions to help more patients faster.”
Additional context
The KQ labs accelerator is a five-month programme consisting of weekly workshops and mentoring sessions led by hand-picked experts ranging from corporate partners, investors, to subject matter experts. The programme is open to early-stage start-ups using data as a core part of their business model to improve human health.
The programme is supported by LifeArc, and this year KQ Labs also has two new strategic partnerships. Cancer Research UK and UK SPINE are each funding a dedicated place focused on cancer and healthy-ageing.
The programme will culminate in a demo day in early March 2022, when the companies will pitch their innovations to an audience of investors and corporates. Applications for the next programme will open in Spring 2022.
The companies
- Concinnity Genetics
- Diabetech
- Eczemadoc
- Enedra
- Exogene
- LatchAid
- Lindus Health
- MultiplAI Health
- NeuroVirt
- Queen Square Analytics
Image credit: Shane Rounce
