Propel Healthtech has been recognised for its contribution to supporting health innovation, after receiving the Ecosystem Growth & Opportunity Award at the ClimbAwards 2026.
The award was presented to Tim East, Workstream Lead for Start-Ups at Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire, recognising both his leadership and the wider Propel Healthtech programme for strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating opportunities for healthtech innovators to develop, scale and succeed their innovations.
The Ecosystem Growth & Opportunity Award celebrates an individual, organisation or initiative that has made a significant contribution to building a collaborative innovation ecosystem, fostering partnerships and creating opportunities that enable others to thrive.
Since launching in November 2025, Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire has continued to support ambitious healthtech innovators through a fully funded accelerator programme, delivered by Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The programme provides tailored support for both start-up and scale-up businesses, helping innovators navigate the complexities of the NHS through expert mentoring, business development support, regulatory guidance and direct access to clinicians, healthcare organisations, investors and industry partners.
The award reflects Propel Healthtech’s continued commitment to creating an innovation ecosystem where entrepreneurs, academics, clinicians, investors and healthcare organisations can work together to accelerate the adoption of technologies that improve health and care.
Tim East, Workstream Lead for Start-Ups at Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire, said: “It’s a real privilege to receive this award, but it also reflects the incredible partnerships that make Propel Healthtech possible. Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. Every day we see founders, clinicians, academics and partners coming together with a shared ambition to improve health and care through collaboration, and its that collective effort that continues to make Propel such a special programme to be part of.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to Propel’s journey so far, particularly our innovators, delivery partners and colleagues across the wider health innovation ecosystem.”
