An Imperial programme is offering healthcare innovators UK-wide free support to turn research into tech ventures that improve musculoskeletal health.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which involve the bones, muscles and joints, are the biggest cause of physical disability in the UK and account for the largest waiting lists. In total the conditions, such as arthritis and chronic back pain, affect 20 million patients across the country.
The MSK Innovation Accelerator, co-funded by Orthopaedic Research UK, is now recruiting for its next six-month cohort, starting mid-November 2025.
It is the UK's only accelerator dedicated to helping researchers build and commercialise technologies that improve musculoskeletal health, for example surgical techniques, devices and digital solutions.
Hiten Thakrar, who heads Imperial SuperConnector, the Imperial College London unit that runs the programme, said: "Musculoskeletal health affects everything from mobility to mental wellbeing, yet it remains one of the most under-innovated areas in healthcare. We're looking for bold thinkers with early-stage ideas that could change lives, from AI rehab tools to next-gen wearables."
Accessing support and investment
The MSK Innovation Accelerator will provide participants from universities, clinical institutes and small- to medium-sized enterprises with entrepreneurship education on topics such as startup methodologies, and sector-specific insights such as how innovations are adopted by the NHS and private sector.
Musculoskeletal health affects everything from mobility to mental wellbeing, but remains under-innovated. We're looking for bold thinkers with early-stage ideas that could change lives. Hiten Thakrar Head of Imperial SuperConnector
It will also provide participants with support to build their networks, drawing on remote support and in-person events, and a chance to pitch to the investment committee of Orthopaedic Research UK, which is partnered on the programme and has offered to invest up to £100,000 in selected ventures.
Participants in previous two cohorts reported that the accelerator helped them to develop and register new intellectual property, raise funding, and hire staff.
Dr Arash Angadji, CEO of Orthopaedic Research UK, said: "The MSK Innovation Accelerator occupies a unique and important place within the MSK innovation ecosystem. It has proven its value in developing the entrepreneurial skills of a new generation of MSK innovators and helped create a pipeline of potentially groundbreaking solutions for those suffering from poor MSK health."
Applications open until 28 September 2025
Applications are now open to the MSK Innovation Accelerator.
To be eligible, participants need a promising solution at Technology Readiness Level 3, meaning they need a proof of concept but need not yet have a working prototype. Participants can use the programme to develop intellectual property (IP) that they own personally or, with permission, that belonging to their employer
Taking part is free and unlike some accelerators, the MSK Innovation Accelerator does not require a stake in participating companies' equity or IP. The initiative is run by the Imperial SuperConnector, which has been working for eight years to help researchers build world-improving commercial ventures in medical technology and AI.
Learn more and apply to take part in the MSK Innovation Accelerator Cohort 3 by 28 September 2025
