On Thursday, 19th June 2025, Central Hall Westminster in London became the epicentre of healthcare innovation as the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) hosted its flagship event — The Big Pitch. This year’s event was the largest yet, bringing together a dynamic mix of Clinical Entrepreneurs, NHS leaders, industry partners, and global collaborators to showcase the future of healthcare.
A Gathering of Visionaries
Hosted by the ever-engaging Vivienne Parry OBE, the event welcomed over 1000 entrepreneurs and stakeholders from across the UK and Ireland, including representatives from Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and for the first time, Wales. The day was a celebration of the ninth CEP cohort and a powerful demonstration of the programme’s growing impact.
The event was graced by NHS leaders including Professor Sir Stephen Powis, who delivered a compelling keynote on the NHS’s innovation priorities, and Sir James Mackey, who joined Professor Tony Young OBE for an insightful fireside chat on the future of healthcare delivery.
Pitching the Future
A highlight of the day was the fast-paced pitching sessions, where 20 Clinical Entrepreneurs had just two minutes each to present their groundbreaking innovations. From AI-powered diagnostics to patient-led care solutions, the pitches reflected the diversity and ingenuity of the CEP community. Entrepreneurs like Dr Nick Gompertz, Funmi Vanessa Ullam, Dr Natasha Davendralingam, and Devika Wood captivated the audience with their bold ideas and real-world impact.
Powerful Panels and Partnerships
The event featured a series of thought-provoking panels, including:
- “Care Local, Digital First, Prevention Focused” – exploring how innovation is reshaping NHS priorities.
- “Making Innovation Happen” – showcasing support systems across the NHS.
- “Transforming Healthcare Through Partnerships” – highlighting collaborations with key partners such as Alzheimer’s Society, HIRANI, NHS Education Scotland, and Cambridge University Health Partners.
These sessions underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in driving sustainable healthcare transformation.
The Meet the Mentor session at The Big Pitch 2025 proved to be a standout moment, offering attendees a rare opportunity to engage directly with the experienced mentors behind the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. Held during the main session break and expertly hosted by Professor Erika Denton, the session fostered open, insightful conversations between aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals from across the innovation ecosystem. Attendees gained valuable perspectives on navigating the entrepreneurial journey, from early-stage challenges to scaling internationally. The mentors’ candid reflections and practical advice resonated deeply with participants, many of whom left the session feeling inspired, empowered, and better connected to a supportive network committed to advancing healthcare innovation.
Spotlight on Social Impact
The Big Pitch also celebrated the programme’s unique partnerships with organisations like Venture Studio from Crisis, supporting entrepreneurs with lived experience of homelessness, and the Alzheimer’s Society, through the Dementia Innovators Programme. These initiatives reflect CEP’s commitment to inclusive innovation and addressing health inequalities.
The Patient Entrepreneur Programme, now in its second year, was also spotlighted — empowering individuals with lived experience to lead change in areas such as cancer, women’s health, and elderly care.
A Global Outlook
The panel “Made in the UK, Sold to the World”, hosted by Dr Chris Laing, showcased how CEP-supported innovations are scaling internationally. Entrepreneurs like Dr Ash Kalraiya (MediShout) and Dr Nadine Hachach-Haram (Proximie) shared their journeys from NHS roots to global impact.
Complementing this global perspective, the programme also featured expert-led satellite sessions—“Coming to America: Transforming UK/EU Companies through US Expansion and Fundraising”—sponsored and supported by Frazier & Deeter and Wilson Sonsini. These sessions provided practical guidance for UK and EU life science companies looking to expand into the US market, reinforcing the event’s commitment to helping innovators scale internationally and meet the expectations of global investors and partners.
A Programme with Proven Impact
Now in its ninth year, the CEP has supported over 1,300 Clinical Entrepreneurs, helped launch 592 start-ups, and facilitated the creation of nearly 4,000 jobs. In 2024/25 alone, the programme supported 686 innovations and raised over £162 million in funding.
Looking Ahead
The Big Pitch 2025 was more than an event — it was a movement. A movement of clinicians, patients, and partners united by a shared vision: to transform healthcare through innovation, compassion, and collaboration.
As the sun set over Westminster, one thing was clear — the future of healthcare is bright, and it’s being built by the Clinical Entrepreneurs of today.
