The programme is delivered by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in partnership with venture builder Zinc, and supports UK-based academic researchers to translate their work into scalable products and services.

Each awardee receives up to £100,000 in funding and access to a six-month venture building programme.

The Catalyst Accelerator builds on the success of the UK Research and Innovation Healthy Ageing Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and ESRC.

Awardees include Lisa Riste at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Greater Manchester Patient Safety Collaboration for a visual alert system in community pharmacies to reduce medication errors and ensure accessible information for people with sight loss.

Paul Bentley, Imperial College London, got funding for a wearable device offering real-time feedback on core muscle activity, supporting fitness, rehabilitation and self-management of back pain, while Ilhem Berrou, University of the West of England, will get funds to develop a digital platform that connects people to community organisations offering health and social care support in their neighbourhoods.

Other awardees include Wendy Anne Loretto, University of Edinburgh, for an AI tool to help older employees reflect on health at work and link to employer resources, and Laura Wilkinson, Swansea University, for applying consumer psychology to support small food manufacturers in creating sustainable and healthy food products aimed at older populations.

Katherine Wang, University College London, has been included in the programme for a wearable device for lymphoedema patients to self-manage their condition, and Suzanne Eldridge, Queen Mary University, London, is developing a regenerative treatment to address cartilage loss and prevent osteoarthritis.

Sophie Richter, Imperial College London, won funding for creating adaptive wearable patches that aid recovery, relieve pain and support movement for people with hand and wrist conditions, while Tot Foster, University of Bristol, is building multi-sensory travel-themed activity boxes designed to reduce isolation and build confidence among older adults.