The digital arm of the government body Innovate UK, IC tomorrow, has launched a contest to find five entrepreneurs with innovative digital solutions to some of the UK’s biggest health issues.
The Quantified Self Innovation Contest is seeking ideas for apps and wearable technology that will tackle challenges in mental health, nutrition and well-being in later life.
Jamie Oliver, BUPA, Toshiba, Saga, and AXA PPP healthcare have all backed the contest and the winning businesses of each category will receive mentorship and promotion as they undergo a pre-commercial trial with one of the five brands to bring their ideas to market.
The five winners will also each receive £35,000 in funding and will keep 100 per cent of their intellectual property.
Matt Sansam, lead technologist, digital economy and programme manager for IC tomorrow, said: “The interest around quantified self has grown remarkably in the last few years and it could prove to be an enormous growth area for UK businesses, creating new markets and boosting productivity.
“We have only scratched the surface of how we can use this technology. Once we can harness the huge amount of data that people are already sharing on their devices, there will be significant benefits in earlier health diagnostics and improved wellbeing. We look forward to seeing the new ideas that entrepreneurs can bring to this space”
The deadline for applications is midnight on 27 October. More information about the contest can be found here.
Image: Mr Pics / Shutterstock.com
