FemTech innovations selected for 3-year NHS accelerator
Daye, Janam App and Samphire NeuroScience selected for prestigious accelerator
The NHS Innovation Accelerator has announced that three innovations in women’s health will join the 2025 intake of its prestigious three-year programme.
Daye - which produces a diagnostic tampon for at-home HPV screening, JanamApp - a pregnancy and postpartum app for South East Asian communities, and Samphire NeuroScience - a wearable called ‘Nettle’ which help the management of menstrual pain and mood symptoms will join a total of 28 health and social care innovators who have been selected.
Participants will benefit from a three-year programme of tailored support, expert guidance, peer support and access to a network of key stakeholders in healthcare. For many, the accelerator is viewed as a way to fast-track access to the NHS. In 2024, NIA alumni Nervecentre won £250 million of contracts in a single year, more than any other provider.
Mindy Simon, Co-Director of the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) said:
“We are committed to supporting innovators navigate the complexities of the system and drive real impact for the benefit of patient care and the workforce.
“Our programme is designed to provide Fellows with the knowledge, connections, visibility and confidence they need to overcome challenges and support the NHS, the healthcare ecosystem and the wider UK economy.”
FemTech forward
The full list of innovators selected was revealed exclusively at Digital Health Rewired (you can see a full list here). Each of those chosen aligns with one or more of the Government’s three priorities: supporting the transition from analogue to digital, sickness to prevention, and hospital to community-based care.
Samphire Neuroscience’s Nettle is a non-invasive, medical grade wearable device that transforms menstrual pain and mood symptom management through advanced neuromodulation technology. Clinically validated and CE-marked as a Class IIa medical device, Nettle has been shown to deliver significant pain relief and mood improvement, with ongoing trials in endometriosis and PMDD. It is designed for at-home use, and is a rechargeable, app-controlled device.
Samphire’s co-founder and CEO Emilė Radytė said:
“We’re so excited that the NHS sees the potential for Nettle to be integrated into the system. So much of our work to date and mission has focused on making sure Nettle is available to those who need it most and accessible in all parts of England, and we know the acclerator will bring us one step closer to that.”
JanamApp, launched in October 2023, aims to educate, empower and reduce maternal health disparities within the NHS through tailored, accessible information to support informed decision-making and improve maternal health outcomes.The platform is designed to support South Asian women through pregnancy, labour, and postnatal care, providing a comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based resource that empowers women throughout their pregnancy journey. It is available in English and six South Asian languages.
Several NHS trusts have already adopted JanamApp and there is emerging evidence that it can help free up interpreter time, reduce missed appointments, and may be linked to earlier and lower acuity interventions, as well as supporting improved maternal health outcomes.
Founder Angie Doshani said:
“Being selected for the NIA is a huge opportunity. It’s a recognition of the impact JanamApp has already made and the potential it has to transform maternity care on a national scale. It also provides a platform to connect with like-minded innovators who are tackling some of the biggest challenges in healthcare. I hope that through this program, I can accelerate the adoption of JanamApp while also learning from others who have successfully navigated the complexities of NHS innovation.
”Just as importantly, the NIA offers a space to refine and enhance innovation. Engaging with NHS leaders, clinicians, and other innovators provides opportunities to develop new features, improve usability, and ensure the app continues to meet the needs of those it serves. As a Core20PLUS ambassador, my focus remains on addressing health inequalities, particularly in maternity care, where gaps in access and outcomes persist for ethnically diverse communities. The NIA’s commitment to scaling innovations that make a real difference aligns perfectly with this mission, offering a platform to drive meaningful, system-wide change.
And finally, Daye’s diagnostic tampon for HPV screening is an at-home test that integrates cervical cancer screening into a familiar patient routine. It has been recognised as a preferred cervical cancer prevention device by the NHS and supports the NHS's ambitious goal of eradicating cervical cancer by 2040.
Founder and CEO of Daye, Valentina Milanova said:
"Being accepted into the prestigious NHS Innovation Accelerator programme marks a significant milestone for Daye and our mission to close the gender care gap in healthcare.
“Through this three-year programme, I hope to accelerate the adoption of our technology across the NHS, making cervical cancer screening more accessible, comfortable and efficient for all women and assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals. Our clinical trials have demonstrated that our Diagnostic Tampon achieves diagnostic accuracy comparable to clinician-collected swabs while addressing many of the barriers that prevent women from participating in traditional screening methods.
“I'm excited to collaborate with NHS stakeholders to integrate our innovation into existing care pathways, particularly focusing on reaching underserved populations who face significant barriers to accessing screening services. Together, we have a real opportunity to transform gynae healthcare and contribute to the elimination of cervical cancer within our lifetime."