AHSN Impact Report 2021 | Page 29

Back to Contents our healthcare system . We have triaged innovations , performed due diligence and supported national procurement and adoption of innovation in partnership with NHSX , NHS England and NHS Improvement .
Economic growth in the region
Over the past year we spent over 1,800 hours supporting 356 companies ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises ( SME ), clinical entrepreneurs and innovators to learn about their products and assess how we can best guide them according to their needs .
In addition to hosting 29 innovation surgeries through which we offer companies bespoke support and advice around evidence generation , regulatory , market access and commercialisation guidance , we have supported 26 grant applications for the likes of the Small Business Research Initiative ( SBRI ), Invention for Innovation ( I4I ) Programme and Innovate UK . Adding to that our other business development and investment activity , we have leveraged an additional £ 5.3m of investment into the region .
By working with the Local Enterprise Partnerships ( LEP ) in our region , we now have a strong understanding of one another ’ s business support and inward investment activity and we continue to look at ways in which we can work collaboratively . In South Yorkshire , we have increased awareness of the AHSN ’ s support to healthcare innovators through the Sheffield City Region LEP ’ s Growth Hub and explored opportunities for partnering on international activity .
The Leeds City Region LEP as well as the Local Authority , Hill Dickinson LLP and Barclays Eagle labs have contributed to the delivery of our Propel @ YH digital accelerator programme in Nexus at Leeds . We are working with them to strengthen a health tech corridor with Israeli companies who are looking to invest in the Leeds City Region ( LCR ). We have also supported the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival organised by the LCR LEP , showcasing the

26

grant applications supported

1800 hours of support £ 5.3m

29

innovation surgeries held

356

companies supported additional investment for the region
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