Yorkshire based Healthcare Technologies companies are being given the opportunity to pitch for investment at the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels (YABA) first healthcare focused investment forum.
Taking place on Tuesday 13 July at Broughton Hall, up to five companies will each have 15 minutes in which to introduce their business proposals to YABA members looking to invest in this sector.
Several of the region’s healthcare businesses, including Retrogenix, Zilico, Cizzle, Paraytec and Kirkstall have already benefited from angel funding and over the past four years, more than £2million has been invested in the sector by YABA members. This particular event is being held in partnership with Grant Thornton’s Investing in Health programme and aims to stimulate greater private investment in the sector.
Along with pitches from companies seeking funding, the event will also feature a welcome by Broughton Hall owner, Roger Tempest and sector introductions by Sir Christopher O’Donnell, the man behind Smith & Nephew’s global growth into a medical technology giant.
“This is the first healthcare focused event to be run by YABA, and we’ve had an extremely positive response from business angels and the region’s healthcare companies,” says YABA Chairman Andrew Burton.
Health technologies is the fastest growing sector in the region and presents a significant economic opportunity for Yorkshire. By bringing investors with an interest in the health sector and innovative companies together, the event will foster new relationships which will ultimately benefit all parties.”
A joint report published in December 2009 from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, UK Trade & Investment and the Department of Health identified the healthcare, life sciences and Health Technologies as key economic drivers, as well as being crucial to meeting future healthcare challenges.
The Yorkshire region has one of the UK’s highest concentrations of medical device companies, superb specialist skills and exceptional access to clinical trials. It is home to some ground-breaking R&D and events such as this are vital to its continued growth.
The event is being sponsored by Yorkshire Forward’s Investing in Health programme, which is managed by Grant Thornton. Lisa Ward of Grant Thornton says: “Business angels are a vital source of funding for the healthcare sector in the region and this event provides a great platform for some of the truly innovative companies to showcase their work to prospective investors. The Investing in Health programme is all about working in partnership with businesses and organisations to stimulate investment in the healthcare sector and we’re delighted to be working with YABA to achieve this.”
Companies interested in learning more about the event should contact YABA on 01423 810149 or email
Charlotte Atkinson
Online details can be found
here