The Care Innovation Hub held the Challenge Final in the Department of Health and Social Care on 14th August 2019. About 40 C-level executives and care sector leaders were present to listen to the 8 finalists whose ideas had the potential make a significant impact in the social care sector. Many attendees were listening to our finalists as potential investors. The winning team was Team Orchard, comprised of Rachel Smith, Jordan Smith and Subhaan Iqbal, focussing on automeds- error-proof medication dispensing.  

Home Instead Senior Care CEO Martin Jones said: “We were thrilled to support and judge the fantastic Care Innovation Challenge 2019. The quality of this year’s entrants was superb, and each team offered such a unique and innovative solution to some of the challenges facing the social care sector. It was a tough one to judge but Team Orchard really stood out due to their passion and creativity. A huge congratulations to them and to every person that took part.”

Our runners-up included Maaha Suleiman from Pamoja Care, focussing on culturally related care and Olly Web from Crunch, a ‘create-your own’ micro-greens toolkit for a healthier, happier life.

All finalists were chosen by Care Innovation Hub’s Founding Partners during the hackathon weekend held in July. Entrepreneurs were given two and a half days to brainstorm ideas, create business plans and bring their ideas to life through prototyping. Finalists were given five weeks to develop their ideas into scalable businesses by testing their ideas with the sector. 

The judges were: Christine Asbury (WCS Care), Mat Whittingham (QCS), Martin Jones (Home Instead), Dan Whitehead (Walden Care), James Sage (Royds Withy King) and Catherine Davies (Ageing Society Grand Challenge). The judging criteria focussed on social innovation, creativity, execution, polish (design), business model and pitch. Judges kept an eye out for ideas with the highest potential to disrupt social care through innovation.

James Sage, Partner at Royds Withy King commented: “We were providing mentorship and legal and regulatory guidance. At the Hackathon it was great to see the passion of the entrepreneurs, mentors and CIH Board and the final showcased a wide range of innovations. It was a very positive experience and felt like a watershed moment for the sector, as it starts to fully embrace innovation and technology”

Dan Whitehead of Walden Care said: “An incredible achievement for CIH to have 8 outstanding finalists presenting great ideas. Initiatives like the Challenge only go to show the passion and commitment that people have in trying to improve health and social care.”

Mat Whittingham, CEO of Quality Compliance Systems commented: “The innovative, but practical solutions that were demonstrated will challenge how we think care should be delivered.”

The Care Innovation Hub’s previous CEO commented: “In our sector, innovation is more than just creating a quirky app, product or service. Innovation must support people to experience more happiness in their lives. Entrepreneurs had to consider: ‘How does my idea increase the quality of life of those providing or receiving care services in the UK?’”

Finalists were given seven minutes to present and three minutes for Q&A by judges and C-level guests who attended. 

Navin continued: “All our judges and guests were hand-picked to attend the final. They are influential leaders implementing innovation within their own respective organisations. Our forward-thinking leaders will revolutionise care with our entrepreneurs and transform the poor stigma associated to our sector.”

Alex Ramamurthy, Chairman of CIH and Founder of Mirthy said: Given this was our second go at the Challenge competition, it was refreshing to see how much further evolved the business ideas were come the Final. This is testament to the improved programme that we put on, led by Navin and supported by our team of mentors, and the calibre of participant. We saw eight teams pitch at the Final, and in my eyes we had eight winners.”

The winning team were awarded £1000, with 1st runner-up and 2ndrunner-up awarded £500 and £250 respectively. 

Ben Allen, CIH’s co-founder and CEO of Oomph! Wellness commented: “I am delighted to be part of the founding team and excited by the quality of ideas that came through the Challenge final.  It is crucial for entrepreneurs to maximise on the platform we have provided and focus on taking their ideas to market.”

CIH and their Founding Partners will work closely with the winners and finalist teams to solidify their ideas into viable solutions for the care sector. After six to twelve months, they will host a Dragon’s Den style event to help entrepreneurs take their ideas to market. 

Avnish Goyal, Chair of Hallmark Care Homes said: “I am sure there will be a lot coming out of the Challenge that is going to make a huge difference to everyone involved in social care into the next decade”

Care Innovation Hub would like to thank their Founding Partners; Walden Care, Royds Withy King, WCS Care, Home Instead and Hallmark Care Homes; their Supporters including Apetito, Catherine Davies & Emily Fleming from the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as the mentors and guests for empowering entrepreneurs to develop ideas with the potential to create a lasting change in social care.