A combined investment and grant funding for start-up companies in the UK that are working to improve health outcomes in later life. The fund aims to support offering products or services to increase healthy life expectancy and reduce health inequalities.
Background
This scheme is a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Nesta Impact Investments partnership.
Objectives of Fund
The Nesta Healthy Ageing Fund offers combined equity and grant funding for companies working to improve health outcomes in later life.
The scheme aims to support companies between Seed stage and Series A offering solutions that increase healthy life expectancy and reduce health inequalities. Nesta is particularly looking to invest in start-ups that are focused on reducing loneliness – for instance for those transitioning to living in care – or supporting people to remain in productive work in later life, which is crucial to quality of life.
Value Notes
This is a to £6 million fund. Companies meeting the eligibility criteria can apply for between £250,000 and £1 million equity investment capital from Nesta Impact Investments. This would typically be part of a larger investment round to scale the company’s solutions.
Qualifying companies will be eligible to apply for further matched grant funding from UKRI up to the same value as Nesta’s investment. This is an opportunity to build and grow the business with the support of an experienced impact investment team.
Who Can Apply
Nesta is looking to invest in early stage tech companies which as part of their activities enable Healthy Ageing. Businesses with a UK presence may apply. The business should be an SME at Seed to Series A stage and addresses one of the UKRI themes below:
- Sustaining physical activity
- Maintaining health at work
- Designing for age-friendly homes
- Managing common complaints of ageing
- Living well with cognitive impairment
- Supporting social connections
- Creating healthy and active places
Within these, Nesta’s key mission areas of interest are:
- Maintaining independence for longer
- Supporting social connections, particularly at life transitions
- Extending productive working lives
In essence, Nesta is looking to invest in start-ups and scale-ups that are focused on reskilling older people to reduce later years unemployment – further perpetuated by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – as well as solutions that can keep people healthy and independent for longer.
The business should offer products or services aimed at increasing healthy life expectancy and reducing health inequalities or wish to develop a product or service addressing this issue.
Location
UK
How To Apply
The fund is open for applications now, through to 31 March 2023.
Applications are made online at the programme website.
Applicants should download and complete the Expression Of Interest form from the website and submit it along with a pitch deck.
More details can be accessed here
Useful documents & links
Useful Links
Addresses and contacts
For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:
- Enquiries
Nesta Healthy Ageing Fund
Nesta
58 Victoria Embankment
London
EC4Y 0DS
Tel: 020 7438 2500
Fax: 020 7438 2501
Email: [email protected]