London Institute for Healthcare Engineering

What London Institute for Healthcare Engineering does

The London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE) is an initiative of King's College London, established to accelerate MedTech innovation from bench to bedside to boardroom. Operating from a dedicated building physically embedded within the St Thomas' Hospital campus in London, LIHE collocates MedTech entrepreneurs, SMEs, industry partners (Siemens Healthineers, NVIDIA, Medtronic), clinicians from multiple NHS trusts, academic experts, and investors in a single space designed architecturally to foster collaboration. A team of over 20 multi-disciplinary experts provides sustained executive support across regulatory affairs, quality management (ISO13485), clinical translation, governance, and health technology assessment.

LIHE's core products are structured venture programmes: the MedTech Venture Builder (a 12-month, two-stage programme taking ventures from Foundation to Execution and investment readiness), the MedTech Venture Kickstarter (a 4-month Innovate UK-funded accelerator delivered on behalf of Health Innovation Network South London), the King's MedTech Accelerator for King's-affiliated entrepreneurs, and the MSc in MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship offered jointly with King's Business School. Supporting infrastructure includes the MAISI prototyping facility, advanced imaging systems, radionuclide production, a mock operating room, and an Expert-in-Residence programme. The LIHE Breakfast event series, delivered with Public Policy Projects, extends influence into health policy discourse.

Revenue is generated primarily through grants — £1.5M from Research England (October 2023) for the Collaborative Centre of Excellence, Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst funding for the Venture Kickstarter, and Wellcome support — alongside community membership fees, event space rental, and select programme fees for Execution-stage participants. Target customers are UK-based MedTech startups and SMEs seeking translation support to overcome the "valley of death" between concept and commercialisation, plus larger industry partners and academic institutions seeking ecosystem access.

Name

London Institute for Healthcare Engineering

Legal name

The London Institute for Healthcare Engineering

Website

https://lihe.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE) is a King's College London institute operating the UK's first MedTech Venture Builder, providing structured programmes, regulatory and clinical expertise, and physical co-location with clinicians at St Thomas' Hospital to help MedTech startups and SMEs translate innovations from bench to market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

MedTech Innovation Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Informatics & Digital Health Programs (EDAHAGAJ)

Keywords

• MedTech venture building
• Healthcare engineering consulting
• Clinical translation services
• Regulatory affairs advisory
• Medical device acceleration

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research England Grant Funding: The MedTech Venture Builder was created with support of a significant grant by Research England for a Collaborative Centre of Excellence (CCoE) for MedTech translation. This provides non-dilutive funding for programme operations.
2. Venture Programme Fees: The Foundation stage of the MedTech Venture Builder programme is free to join for eligible participants. Select companies invited to the Execution stage receive one-to-one bespoke support with terms and conditions applying. The programme is positioned as a Collaborative Centre of Excellence.
3. Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Programme: The MedTech Venture Kickstarter programme is funded by the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst and is FREE for all ventures selected through a competitive application process. Ventures completing the programme become eligible for a closed feasibility grant competition by Innovate UK.
4. Membership and Building Access: Membership at LIHE provides access to the building's collaboration and co-creation space, exclusive events, seminars, and programmes. Members can access meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, and event hosting facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE) is an initiative of King's College London that provides structured venture-building programmes and hands-on executive support to help MedTech startups, SMEs, and industry partners translate medical technologies from bench to bedside to boardroom. Its core offerings include the MedTech Venture Builder (a 12-month programme), the MedTech Venture Kickstarter (a 4-month accelerator), the King's MedTech Accelerator, an MSc in MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and a community Membership programme. Services span regulatory affairs, quality management (ISO 13485), clinical translation, health technology assessment, and access to research facilities such as the MAISI active implant prototyping lab, advanced imaging systems, and a mock operating room.

Product overview

LIHE offers a portfolio of venture programmes and support services for MedTech innovators. The core offerings include the MedTech Venture Builder (MVB) - a 12-month two-stage programme for investment readiness, the MedTech Venture Kickstarter (MVK) - a 4-month intensive accelerator funded by Innovate UK, and the King's MedTech Accelerator (KMA) for King's entrepreneurs. Additional services include an MSc programme in MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The LIHE Breakfast event series, and community membership with access to co-creation spaces and expert support in regulatory affairs, quality management, clinical translation, and health technology assessment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MedTech Venture Builder (MVB): A 12-month structured programme to speed up commercial and clinical translation of promising medical technologies into investment-ready healthcare ventures.
• MedTech Venture Kickstarter (MVK)
• The LIHE Breakfast

Products and services

• MedTech Venture Builder (MVB) A 12-month structured programme in two stages (Foundation and Execution) to speed up commercial and clinical translation of promising medical technologies into investment-ready healthcare ventures. Provides clinical evidence roadmap, regulatory plan, stakeholder mapping, hands-on executive guidance, monthly strategic progress review, and Quality Management System (ISO 13485) alignment. Targets UK-based registered companies commercialising medical devices, with focus areas including Cancer, regulated Women's Health, and Surgery.
• MedTech Venture Kickstarter (MVK) An intensive 4-month programme delivered by LIHE on behalf of the Health Innovation Network South London, funded by Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst. Provides de-risking and acceleration of commercial readiness for medical devices through masterclasses, workshops, Expert-in-Residence support, and Health Technology Assessment access. Free for all ventures selected through a competitive application process.
• King's MedTech Accelerator (KMA) An accelerator programme supporting aspiring entrepreneurs from across King's College London in medical technologies to grow their understanding of the translation path from bench to bedside to boardroom.
• MSc in MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship A master's degree offered jointly by the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences and King's Business School, open to students from Healthcare, Engineering, Business and Design disciplines. Core training covers MedTech design, scientific research methods, leadership, finance, and marketing with modules including AI in Healthcare, Robotics, and Quality Management Systems. Students work in cross-disciplinary teams on real-world MedTech industry projects or build their own MedTech start-up for dissertation.
• LIHE Membership Community membership providing access to LIHE's collaboration and co-creation space, exclusive events, seminars, and programmes. Designed for anyone actively involved in MedTech research, development, and translation. Includes access to meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, and event hosting facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 new companies supported in inaugural MedTech Venture Builder programme
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Siemens HealthineerscoreTechnology or IntegrationSiemens Healthineers has been partnered with King's College London for 10 years and took residence at the newly opened LIHE in November 2024. They collaborate on medical imaging technology research, including a project developing 3D images of the whole human heart. Their logo appears prominently on LIHE's community partners section.
• Team ConsultingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerA collaboration where Team Consulting provides expertise to ventures in LIHE's MedTech Venture Builder programme. Team, a world-leading medical device design and development consultancy with 40-year track record, will co-locate expert consultants at LIHE to provide hands-on support covering business planning, product development, and regulatory compliance. The programme is now in its third year.
• King's Health PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing's Health Partners is a clinical and academic partner providing clinical expertise and connections to NHS trusts within the LIHE ecosystem. Their clinical colleagues participate in the MedTech community from across the King's Health Partners consortium.
• SEHTA (Science and Engineering Health Technologies Alliance)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSEHTA provides go-to-market and strategy expertise to LIHE ventures. As a health technologies alliance, they offer commercialisation support and industry connections.
• Public Policy Projects (PPP)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPPP is LIHE's exclusive delivery partner for The LIHE Breakfast series, convening thought leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem to advance innovation, technology and policy. PPP brings proven track record of convening impactful conversations that inform national policy, with previous breakfast reports referenced in Government strategies including the 10 Year Health Plan.
• Cambridge ConsultantsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCambridge Consultants is a strategic partner supporting the MedTech Venture Builder programme, providing expertise in commercial translation alongside partner institutions.
• Health Innovation Network South London (HIN)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLIHE delivers the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator MedTech Venture Kickstarter on behalf of HIN South London, providing structured 4-month programme support for MedTech ventures.
• Mayo Clinic Innovation ExchangemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing's College London became the first UK-based collaborator of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange (MCIE), with the partnership housed in LIHE. This provides international exposure and potential distribution for LIHE-supported innovations through the Mayo Clinic network.
• Arizona State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArizona State University's logo appears in LIHE's clinical and academic partners section, indicating an international academic collaboration.
• VITA Healthcare InnovationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVITA Healthcare Innovations appears in LIHE's funders and supporters section as part of the ecosystem.
• Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner providing proximity to St Thomas' Hospital where LIHE is embedded. The trust enables clinical trials and collaborations for MedTech ventures.
• King's College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS trust partner within King's Health Partners consortium providing clinical expertise and trial opportunities for LIHE ecosystem.
• South London and Maudsley NHS TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS trust partner within King's Health Partners consortium providing clinical collaboration opportunities.
• NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Cardiovascular and Respiratory MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR HealthTech RC provides expertise and potential clinical trial infrastructure for ventures focused on cardiovascular and respiratory medical technologies.
• NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Brain HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR HealthTech RC in Brain Health provides research centre support for MedTech innovations in neurological and brain health applications.
• Royal College of Surgeons of EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppears as a funder/supporter on the MedTech Venture Builder page, indicating collaboration in surgical and training capabilities.
• Macmillan Cancer SupportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppears as a funder/supporter on the MedTech Venture Builder page, with cancer explicitly invited as a focus area for applications.
• Queen Mary University LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three London academic institutions collaborating with King's College London on the UK's first MedTech Venture Builder.
• City, University of LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three London academic institutions collaborating with King's College London on the UK's first MedTech Venture Builder.
• St. George's University LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three London academic institutions collaborating with King's College London on the UK's first MedTech Venture Builder.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Techstars Healthcare: Global accelerator programme with healthcare-focused cohorts and partnerships (notably with Cedars-Sinai, UnitedHealthcare, Johnson & Johnson). Comparable as a structured accelerator providing MedTech/healthtech ventures with mentorship, investor access, and commercialisation support over fixed cohorts.
• Cambridge Consultants (Product Innovation): UK-based medical device design and development consultancy with deep MedTech translation expertise. A formal partner in LIHE's MedTech Venture Builder programme, Cambridge Consultants also runs its own acceleration-style programmes for MedTech ventures — direct peer in capability and customer base.
• Health Innovation Network South London (HIN): One of 15 Health Innovation Networks across England, acting as the innovation arm of the NHS. LIHE delivers the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator MedTech Venture Kickstarter programme on behalf of HIN South London — both a delivery partner and a peer organisation focused on MedTech translation into the NHS.
• NHS Innovation Accelerator (NHS England): UK national accelerator supporting adoption of evidence-based innovations across the NHS. Directly comparable to LIHE as both provide structured support for healthcare innovators navigating UK clinical adoption, regulatory pathways, and NHS procurement. Operates as a complementary UK MedTech acceleration programme.
• DigitalHealth.London: London-based digital health and MedTech accelerator programme supporting innovators with NHS adoption. Operates similar venture building/acceleration model for health technology companies in the UK capital, with explicit focus on NHS pathway navigation — directly overlapping LIHE's value proposition for MedTech translation.
• Cedars-Sinai Accelerator: US hospital-embedded accelerator for health technology companies, based within a major US academic medical centre. Closely comparable business model: physical embedding in hospital, multi-disciplinary expert support, and venture building focus on MedTech translation from prototype to commercial launch.
• Imperial College's MedTech hub / Imperial College Health Partners: London-based academic institution providing MedTech translation and venture acceleration services through similar hospital-embedded models. Competes for the same pool of UK MedTech ventures and clinical partners within London's NHS ecosystem.
• Mayo Clinic Platform / Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange: Hospital-embedded innovation platform and accelerator at Mayo Clinic. LIHE has a formal partnership with Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange (first UK-based collaborator per source), making this a direct peer through both formal collaboration and shared business model of hospital-anchored MedTech translation.
• UCSF Rosenman Institute: Hospital-affiliated health technology accelerator at UCSF supporting MedTech and digital health ventures with mentorship, investor connections, and clinical validation. Directly comparable as an academic medical centre-embedded MedTech venture builder targeting similar founder profiles and clinical translation challenges.

Broad incumbents

• Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult: UK government-funded Catapult centre for cell and gene therapy innovation, providing similar accelerator/venture building services for life sciences companies. Comparable as a UK-based, publicly-funded innovation hub model serving health-tech ventures — though focused on a different therapeutic modality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/london-institute-for-healthcare-engineering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about London Institute for Healthcare Engineering