MSK Innovation Accelerator
Now accepting applications
Accelerating the development of musculoskeletal innovations to create and scale early-stage MSK ventures across the UK.
Now Accepting Applications for Cohort Three
MedTech SuperConnector, with the support of Orthopaedic Research UK, is proud to deliver the MSK Innovation Accelerator Programme Cohort Three. This six-month intensive entrepreneurial and evidence generation skills development programme is open to all early career researchers, PhD, postdocs, clinical innovators, and SME candidates with research that they hope to translate into a MedTech innovation.
Receive over £80,000 worth of academic and commercialisation support from one of the world’s leading Universities. Unlike some accelerators, our MSK programme is available to eligible participants without any requirement for you to part with equity or any joining fees.
Please submit your completed application by 23:59 on Sunday September 28, 2025. Any applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
How it works
A commercialisation roadmap supported by global experts
Supported by
ORUK is one of the most significant funders of MSK research in the UK. It is also the first MSK charity to actively support start-ups and entrepreneurs. Since 2004 it has invested almost £12m on projects that expand knowledge, improve patient outcomes and pioneer new forms of diagnosis and treatment.
Roadmap your path to commercialisation
Gain the insight and knowledge to develop a roadmap to guide you through the complex journey of product development through to market. This will help you understand where your time and budget need to be focussed, how to structure your MSK venture, how you can set appropriate goals and more importantly, how you can achieve them.
Expand Your Network
You can’t make this journey alone. Our programme will introduce you to individuals and networks with the knowledge and keys to doors that are notoriously difficult to find and open. Expanding your network is a key step to getting to market successfully.
Investment and Growth Opportunities
At the end of the accelerator you will have the opportunity to pitch your venture to the ORUK Investment Committee which could result in up to a £100k investment by ORUK.
To date, 20% of our MSK cohorts have successfully gone on to raise significant levels of funding.
The results
Programme Outcomes
Starting with an immersive in person bootcamp followed by a series of online masterclasses, participants will cover the foundations of entrepreneurship, venture building, evidence and evaluation for market access and regulatory considerations. In addition to this, participants will receive support from subject matter experts who will help in navigating their routes to commercialisation.
Participants can expect to gain a greater understanding of effective and applied use of start-up methodologies ie. Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas.
Defined Target Market: Understand how innovations are adopted into marketplaces, including the NHS and international & private sector organisations.
Communicating to Key Stakeholders: Gain the skills to build successful relationships with key stakeholders and partner networks to progress your venture, and refine your pitch to successfully communicate your venture to early-stage funders.
Commercialisation Pathway: Prepare your MedTech venture for commercialisation through developing market access and valuation strategies, and understand how to adapt these strategies.
What are the eligibility criteria?
What are the key dates?
The programme will run from late autumn 2025 until spring 2026.
Application period: 01 August – 28 September 2025
Interviews with shortlisted applicants (virtual): TBC
Programme kick-off (in-person, London): late November 2025
Mid-programme check-in (in-person, London): TBC
Pitching to ORUK Investment Committee: Spring 2026
Dates are to be confirmed but successful applicants should be prepared for an in person kick-off in London in late November 2025. Please continue to visit this page for updates.
Do I need to be incorporated to apply for the programme?
No, you do not need to have an incorporated company in order to apply. However, you must be incorporated to be considered for investment by ORUK.
Is this a full-time programme?
The programme will be delivered over 6 months and will be hybrid in its delivery, with the only mandatory in-person events being the kick-off and mid-programme check-in. In addition to masterclasses and 1:1 sessions, there will be a digital learning component that includes 3 modules to complete in your own time before the conclusion of the programme.
To make the most of the programme we suggest dedicating between 2-5 hours per week to the content (masterclasses, 1:1 sessions, digital learning).
Will I get an investment by ORUK at the end of the programme?
Investments made by the ORUK Investment Committee will be determined on a case-by-case basis, subject to ORUK’s funding terms and conditions.
Let Them Tell You Why ...
“Coming out of the accelerator, it just gave me more confidence to pursue my spin-out idea. It proved to my academic team that this is worth going for, and it kickstarted the next phase for me. The program was a personal ‘go/no-go’ point – it showed me I had the right stuff to be a CEO and lead a company forward.”
– Dylan Ashton, Bone Cap, Cohort Two
Make it happen
Register your interest
Collaborate with us to create a healthier future.
MTSC is uniquely placed to facilitate exchange between MedTech innovators and industry players and help them succeed in a rapidly changing and competitive landscape. Our innovation support ecosystem creates value through world-class entrepreneurship training, access to funding, mentorship and expertise.
For more information or to partner with us, please get in touch.
