Rewired Pitchfest invites scale ups to apply for 2023 contest

Digital Health Rewired Pitchfest, the entrepreneurial competition providing a platform for young and innovative ventures to scale in the NHS, has added a new category for scale ups to enter the 2023 contest. 

For the first time since its 2019 launch, Pitchfest will be open to digital health scale ups; namely young companies raising investment to fund their growth, going through first rounds of funding or at Series A stage (or similar). 

Applications are now open for both start-ups and scale ups to secure one of 24 places in the shortlisted online heats.  

Heat winners and a best runner up from each category will then pitch their solution at the live final, which is taking place on day two of Digital Health Rewired in March 2023 at London’s Business Design Centre.  

The finalists will have the chance to win an NHS test bed site, which will involve their innovation being rolled-out at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust through the CW Innovation programme – a collaboration between the trust and its partner charity CW+. 

Chris Chaney, the chief executive of CW+ and co-lead of CW Innovation, said: “We are delighted to partner with Digital Health for the fourth consecutive year to offer winners of Pitchfest 2023 the chance to pilot their solution at the trust. It is fantastic that the competition is now open to both digital health scale ups and start-ups, and we would encourage companies from across the sector to apply.  

“It’s crucial to us that we’re leading the way in healthcare innovation and by providing a real-world test bed for the winners as part of our flagship CW Innovation programme, we can help maximise potential, bringing innovation to the forefront of patient care.” 

CardMedic, the app which aims to reduce health inequalities through improving communication between healthcare staff and patients, took home the Pitchfest 2022 crown in March.  

The company has since won their first major US contract signing a deal with a critical access hospital based in New Mexico. 

Dr Rachael Grimaldi, CEO of CardMedic, is swapping the stage for the judges’ seats this year, joining an illustrious panel of digital health VCs, innovators, established entrepreneurs and NHS IT leaders, including:  

• Chris Chaney, Chief Executive, CW+ 
• Jon Hoeksma CEO, Digital Health
• Rhod Joyce, Deputy Director of Innovation Development, Transformation Directorate – NHSE & I 
• Dr John Lee Allen, Managing Partner, RYSE Asset Management 
• Megan Morys-Carter, Director, The Hill 
• Rachel Murphy, Chief Banter Officer, rachelmurphy.com  
• Chris Sawyer, Innovation Lead, Digital Health, Innovate UK 
• Joe Stringer, Partner, Octopus Ventures 
• Rebecca Todd, Partner, Longwall Venture Partners LLP 

Dr Grimaldi said: “I’m thrilled to be a judge at this year’s Pitchfest. There’s no better opportunity for young digital health companies to get in front of a relevant, interested, engaged audience. The chance to showcase your innovation to such esteemed healthcare stakeholders and influencers, investors, and potential collaborators doesn’t come round very often.  

“If you’re thinking about entering, just do it. I can’t recommend the experience enough. Not only does it offer incredible networking and relationship building opportunities, but a space to hone your pitching skills to varied audiences on a national (and live!) stage. Not to mention the potential of winning an incredible prize of working with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on their CW+ Innovation Programme. 

She continued: “As a judge, I’d like to give huge kudos to everyone that enters. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and confidence to put yourself forward in such a highly regarded, competitive competition. I can’t wait to hear about this year’s innovators and the solutions they’ve developed. Best of luck to everyone that is seizing the opportunity.

How to enter 

Apply by completing a short form here.

Successful applicants will be invited to do a three-minute online pitch to judges in late January. Four submissions in each category will be selected to progress as finalists to battle it out in a live stage final at Rewired 2023 in London. Entries close at midday on Thursday 8 December 2022.