Investment Forum Provides Opportunities for Yorkshire's Healthcare Sector
Taking place on Tuesday 13 July at Broughton Hall, home of the award-winning Broughton Hall Business Park, up to five companies will each have 15 minutes in which to introduce their business proposals to those members of YABA who are specifically looking to invest in this sector. This is the second of YABA’s sector specific investment forums, the first of which was focussed on low-carbon businesses and was a resounding success with angels and businesses alike, attracting more that one hundred attendees from around the region.
A joint report published in December 2009 from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, UK Trade & Investment and the Department of Health identified the healthcare, life sciences and health technologies as key economic drivers, as well as being crucial to meeting future healthcare challenges.
Several of the region’s healthcare businesses, including Retrogenix, Zilico, Cizzle, Paraytec and Kirkstall have already benefited from angel funding and over the past four years, more than £2million has been invested in the sector by YABA members. This particular event is being held in partnership with Grant Thornton’s Investing in Health programme and aims to stimulate greater private investment in the sector. Along with pitches from companies seeking funding, the event will also feature a welcome by Broughton Hall owner, Roger Tempest and sector introductions by Sir Christopher O’Donnell, the man behind Smith & Nephew’s global growth into a medical technology giant.
“This is the first healthcare focused event to be run by YABA, and we’ve had an extremely positive response from business angels and the region’s healthcare companies,” says YABA Chairman Andrew Burton. “The health technologies sector is the fastest growing in the region and presents a significant economic opportunity for Yorkshire. By bringing investors with an interest in the health sector and innovative companies together, the event will foster new relationships which will ultimately be advantageous to all parties.”
The Yorkshire region has one of the UK’s highest concentrations of medical device companies, superb specialist skills, exceptional access to clinical trials and is home to pioneering R&D and events such as this are vital to its continued growth.
