The Big Pitch 2026: Celebrating Ten Years of Healthcare Innovation

Published on June 18, 2026

On Monday 8th June 2026, the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster hosted The Big Pitch 2026, the tenth‑anniversary celebration of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) and the official welcome for Cohort 10. This year’s Big Pitch was our most ambitious yet, bringing together entrepreneurs, NHS leaders, industry partners, investors and collaborators from across the health and care system to showcase the ideas shaping the future of healthcare.

The Big Pitch event. A large audience sits in an auditorium facing a stage with two presenters speaking. Many attendees have their hands raised. The backdrop reads “NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme – The Big Pitch,” with blue and purple lighting across the room.

Across the main stage, exhibition zones and networking spaces, the day highlighted the extraordinary talent, creativity and commitment within our community. From high‑impact pitches and panels to immersive demonstrations and investor sessions, the afternoon captured a decade of progress and the momentum driving us into the next ten years.

A Gathering of Visionaries

Showcasing the strength of the CEP alumni community, the event was hosted by Dr Rupy Aujla (Cohort 3 Clinical Entrepreneur) and Funmi Ullam (Cohort 1 Patient Entrepreneur), brining together more than 1,000 entrepreneurs and stakeholders from across the UK and Ireland, including representatives from Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Wales. The audience also reflected the breadth of the programme’s partnerships and impact, with representation from organisations including the Alzheimer’s Society, Crisis, and a strong presence of patient leaders and advocates.

We were honoured to be joined by senior NHS and government leaders from across the system, including Preet Kaur Gill MP, who delivered a compelling keynote, and Professor Frankie Swords, who brought the day to a close with her insightful concluding remarks. The stage also featured Samantha Jones, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinguished panel of national leaders shaping the future of healthcare innovation, including Professor Dame Jane Dacre, Professor Lucy Chappell and Will Warburton.

A particular highlight was the panel marking a decade of NHS entrepreneurship, featuring Professor Sir Bruce Keogh whose leadership was instrumental in establishing the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme 10 years ago, alongside alumni founders now leading high-impact health innovations. The event concluded with reflections and thanks from Professor Tony Young OBE and Dr Tamsin Holland Brown, recognising the collective leadership driving the programme forward.

Pitching the Future

The two‑minute pitching sessions proved to be a major highlight, with 20 Clinical Entrepreneurs taking to the stage to present their innovations at pace. Whether showcasing AI‑driven diagnostics or new approaches to patient‑led care, the pitches captured the diversity and ingenuity of the CEP community. Entrepreneurs like Dr Hammad Jeilani, Sandra Nwokeoha, Dr Karen Marshall, and Dr Jim Kelly captivated the audience with their bold ideas and real-world impact.

In addition, a dedicated Investor Pitching opportunity offered founders the rare chance to present directly to a panel of VC investors, opening doors to new partnerships and funding pathways.

Promotional image for The Big Pitch event. Audience members wearing blue headphones listen to an investor‑pitching session. A speaker stands at a podium in front of a panel of four seated experts.

Powerful Panels

The event featured a series of thought-provoking panels, including:

“A Decade of Supporting Entrepreneurship in the NHS”
“Lived Experience Driving Change”
“Leading the Next Decade”

Together, these discussions highlighted the importance the programme’s journey so far, recognising the power of lived experience, and shaping the future of healthcare innovation.

A Programme with Proven Impact

Now in its tenth year, the CEP has supported over 1,500 Clinical Entrepreneurs, helped launch 691 start‑ups, and facilitated the creation of more than 5,000 jobs. Over the past decade, the programme’s ventures have collectively raised more than £1.2 billion in investment, demonstrating the scale and impact across the health and care system.

Infographic
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Looking Ahead

As we enter our second decade, our mission remains clear: to support innovators developing solutions that address real challenges within the NHS and improve patient care. The enthusiasm and determination shown on Monday reaffirm the importance of this work and the strength of the community driving it forward.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this significant milestone. We are especially grateful for the continued support of Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive Officer of NHS England; David Lawson, Director of Medical Technology & Innovation at the Department of Health and Social Care; Lindsey Hughes, Director of Research, Innovation; and Will Warburton Director of Life Sciences Policy and Strategy, Research and Life Sciences Strategy Group at NHS England, alongside all of our partners, mentors, patient leaders and innovation colleagues across NHS England, DHCS and the wider innovation ecosystem.

Here’s to ten years of innovation and to the next decade of ideas, collaboration and impact.

View the Big Pitch Brochure 2026

View our Big Pitch Impact Video