Over 40 per cent increase in HIHI double national call applications

In June we launched a national call – both focussed and open – to Irish industry. The open call was aimed at companies, start-ups, SMEs, who have innovative products or services that are at pre-commercial, demonstration or late development phase and have the potential to significantly impact healthcare. Our partner, the HSE, highlighted a strategic need for the health service in the focussed call – ‘Enabling positive ageing’.

The call closed at the end of August and we can now share that we have seen a 40 per cent increase in HIHI national call applications.

• Total applications were up to 66, from 45 in 2016.
• Focused call applicants more than doubled this year when compared to 2016, from 28 to 12.
•   Open call also increased, from 33 applications in 2016 to 38 this year.

Next is stage two, where successful applicants are invited to a rigorous competitive pitch process, with representatives from Enterprise Ireland, HSE, Science Foundation Ireland, Health Research Board and other influencers that they would not ordinarily have direct access to.

At stage three, we acts as a broker, matching companies with relevant clinical teams, overseeing a study of each product in a real life Irish clinical setting.

Watch this space!