Innovative Leicestershire – UKRI Children’s Health Impact Accelerator Success for Moti Me

A local innovative enterprise geared towards enhancing the lives of children with developmental delay disabilities, has seen success after joining a Charnwood Campus Innovation Surgery.

The Surgery, which is a collaboration between East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN), Medilink Midlands, Mills & Reeve and Charnwood Campus allows individuals to have confidential discussions regarding the development of their products in the NHS, without having to engage with each organisation separately.

Moti Me, who provide products to help disabled children achieve significant milestones in their physiotherapy exercise journey, was founded by Katie Michaels, a member of the Loughborough University studio program. After taking part in the Innovation Surgery, Katie applied for the UKRI Founders Factory children’s development bootcamp, funded by Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council.

Reacting to the news, Katie said: “It is wonderful to have received so much help and advice from the Leicestershire Innovation team….Our product evolves around children’s health and aims to support children (with developmental delay disabilities) in achieving their milestones such as sitting, standing, crawling, or walking”.

Following the application, Moti Me were accepted onto the Children’s Health Impact Accelerator programme, a 10-week non-equity start-up project where Katie had the opportunity to pitch for potential grant funding that will support feasibility studies and proof of concept.

Jo Maltby, Senior Innovation Advisor, Medilink Midlands said: “The Innovation Surgeries enable companies like Moti Me to receive combined advice and support from key Midland based organisations. The opportunity that Moti Me has achieved through securing their place on the Accelerator Programme will enable the growth of the company and provide the final piece to ensure the successful adoption of their product”.

Dr Lucy Alexander, Head of Business Development, Charnwood Campus commented: “The life sciences innovation in Leicestershire, from start up to mature business life sciences in Leicestershire is a real success story. It was wonderful to support Katie and Moti Me and we are absolutely delighted that the accelerator award will help drive the development of Moti Me”.