SBRI Healthcare

SBRI Healthcare operates as a collaborative initiative between the NHS Accelerated Access Collaborative and the Health Innovation Network, dedicated to financing innovative solutions addressing unmet healthcare needs across the UK. This program represents a strategic component of the broader Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), a two-decade endeavor facilitating competitive development of public sector solutions by private entities. The initiative has demonstrated significant financial commitment to healthcare innovation, having distributed £140 million to support 260 diverse organizations developing breakthrough healthcare technologies and services.

The investment approach of SBRI Healthcare is notably inclusive, welcoming applications from a comprehensive range of organizational structures. From emerging startups and SMEs to established corporations, non-profit organizations, charitable institutions, and NHS service providers, the program maintains an open funding policy designed to capture innovation regardless of its source. This democratic funding model has enabled SBRI Healthcare to build a diverse portfolio spanning multiple healthcare domains, including digital health technologies, medical devices, diagnostic tools, and service delivery innovations.

What distinguishes SBRI Healthcare in the investment landscape is its dual-purpose methodology that simultaneously addresses critical NHS challenges while stimulating economic growth through private sector innovation. The program typically operates through themed competition rounds targeting specific healthcare priorities identified by NHS stakeholders and clinical experts. Successful applicants receive phased funding—initially supporting feasibility studies and concept development, followed by more substantial investment for prototype development and clinical validation for promising solutions showing clear potential for NHS adoption.

Beyond mere financial support, SBRI Healthcare provides funded organizations with valuable access to NHS networks, clinical expertise, and implementation pathways—critical advantages for healthcare innovators seeking to navigate the complex healthcare ecosystem. The program's track record demonstrates particular strength in accelerating innovations that improve patient outcomes while delivering efficiency gains for healthcare providers. With its established position in the UK healthcare innovation ecosystem, SBRI Healthcare continues to serve as a vital bridge between innovative private sector solutions and the specific needs of the publicly-funded healthcare system, driving both clinical and economic benefits.