A former member of the Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire Start-Up programme, Lotessa Digital Health Ltd is continuing to build momentum following the recent launch of its digital platform designed to support people using obesity medications.
Founded by Tsitsi Chinyandura following her own experience of navigating obesity treatment, Lotessa was developed to support people using obesity medications. As the use of obesity medications continues to increase, the platform provides users with digital tools, education and personalised support to help them manage their health alongside treatment.
Designed to complement existing healthcare pathways, Lotessa brings together a range of digital resources to help users better understand and manage their treatment, while encouraging long-term lifestyle changes alongside medication.
With obesity remaining a key health priority across West Yorkshire and beyond, Lotessa reflects the growing role that digital health technologies can play in supporting people to access information, guidance and ongoing support throughout their care journey.
Building a solution through Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire
Tsitsi joined the Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire Start-Up programme in December 2025 with ambitions to take her solution from concept to adoption within the health and care system.
Through the programme, Tsitsi received tailored support designed to help early-stage healthtech innovators better understand the requirements of working with the NHS. For Tsitsi, one of the most valuable aspects of the programme was gaining a deeper understanding of the standards and processes required to develop a solution that is safe, trusted and ready for adoption by both patients and commissioners.
Working alongside the Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire team and the programme partners, Lotessa strengthened its knowledge of areas including patient safety, clinical risk, data privacy and information governance, while also recognising the importance of independent assessments such as ORCHA assurance in demonstrating quality and building confidence among healthcare organisations.
Reflecting on her experience, Tsitsi said: “Propel gave us a much clearer understanding of what is required to develop a digital health solution that is ready to work within the NHS. Beyond developing the product itself, we gained valuable insight into areas such as patient safety, information governance and digital assurance, all of which have been instrumental as we’ve continued to grow.”
Supporting innovation across West Yorkshire
Since completing the programme, Lotessa has continued to develop its platform and recently celebrated the launch of its obesity aftercare app, marking another important milestone in the company’s growth journey.
The progress made by Lotessa demonstrates the strength of West Yorkshire’s growing health innovation ecosystem and highlights the role that targeted accelerator programmes such as Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire can play in helping promising companies navigate the NHS and prepare for adoption at scale.
When reflecting her experiences whilst being a member of the Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire cohort, Tsitsi said: “Joining the Propel Healthtech Accelerator has been a transformative experience for both myself and Lotessa. From the moment I stepped into the programme, the calibre of mentorship, peer cohort, and industry-relevant insights has elevated how I think about my product strategy, commercialisation, and scaling in digital health.”
Delivered by Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and partners, Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire supports ambitious healthtech innovators with expert mentoring, masterclasses and connections across the NHS, academia and industry, helping businesses develop solutions capable of addressing some of healthcare’s biggest challenges.
As companies such as Lotessa continue to grow, they are not only creating innovative new technologies but also strengthening West Yorkshire’s reputation as a leading region for health innovation and digital health.
