National Centre for Child Health Technology
SleepCogni, a leading innovator in sleep technology, has announced its selection as one of the inaugural participants in the Children and Young People’s HealthTech Accelerator, named Kids UP with Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. It is a bespoke programme designed for businesses to deliver innovative healthcare solutions for children, developed with the input of children and young people.
Paediatric insomnia affects up to 25% of children and 35% of adolescents globally, SleepCogni says its inclusion in this programme underscores the need to tackle its increasing prevalence. This accelerator builds upon its existing collaboration with Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, funded by Innovate UK.
Through this partnership, SleepCogni has been leveraging its clinically validated Active-Feedback therapy and data collection to support sleep clinicians. Participation in the accelerator will enhance this ongoing work, accelerating the adoption of SleepCogni’s solution across paediatric services.
Sheffield Children’s is developing the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT), soon to be based at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. According to the trust, it will be a 'world-class' facility, dedicated to creating a healthier future for children and young people through innovation, technology, and outstanding care.
The creation of the children’s HealthTech Accelerator works in parallel with the development of the NCCHT. The NCCHT will focus on collaboration to design, create and test child health technologies.
SleepCogni
A child holding a SleepCogni paediatric device
Over 70 companies involved with healthtech networks nationally and internationally, and with an existing healthcare paediatric technology product, were invited to apply to take part in the accelerator. The final 12 were chosen by the accelerator advisory panel which featured representatives from Par Equity, UP Ventures and Professor Paul Dimitri from Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
Joseph Hawkins, Head of Operations at SleepCogni, commented: "We are excited about the opportunity this accelerator presents to expedite our solution across paediatric services. Our goal is to ensure that our first-line behavioural therapy reaches every child currently on waiting lists, providing effective support and helping to reduce the reliance on melatonin prescriptions for children by the NHS."
Dr Heather Elphick, a consultant in respiratory and sleep medicine at Sheffield Children’s, nominated SleepCogni for the accelerator, recognising the potential to make a substantial impact on children’s health by providing non-pharmacological solutions for sleep disorders. The accelerator will enable SleepCogni to refine its technology further, engage with key stakeholders, and prepare for broader adoption within the NHS and beyond.
Danny Meaney, founder and CEO at UP Ventures added: “The strength of this year's cohort is a true reflection of the talent and innovative businesses within the healthcare space. We set out to recruit a cohort of six companies for our inaugural KidsUP Accelerator with Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, but the standard of applicants was of such high quality, that we have recruited a strong cohort of 12. We’re excited to see how SleepCogni and their peers progress during the programme and look forward to working alongside Par Equity who has dedicated support through investment, expertise and its global network of investors.”
Participants in the accelerator will benefit from tailored mentoring, access to experts, investors, and decision-makers. With support from associate partners like Dell for Start-ups and Nvidia, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust says the programme is set to be a catalyst for innovation and growth.
