Virtual reality healthtech firm expands into the region

Users of NHS health services in West Yorkshire are set to see a boost to digital support services when healthtech firm Mindwave Ventures opens in Leeds later this year.

The firm’s move is fuelled by a spike in demand for it’s VR-focused digital health expertise across the region.

Mindwave has worked with six NHS trusts and an NHS sustainability and transformation partnership across England to help them design and develop their personal health record platforms.

The company said it would be supporting the region’s ambitions for digital health, as set out in a cross-sector enterprise partnership launched earlier this year.

More than three million people will benefit from this new partnership – which includes the NHS, local authorities and five universities. The project is designed to accelerate health technology innovation.

Alongside its expansion plans, Mindwave has made two appointments to help support its growing team.

Dr Victoria Betton, the company’s new chief innovation officer, will head the Leeds office. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in digital healthtech.

With over 20 years’ experience in the NHS, local government and the third sector, Betton previously founded mHabitat – an NHS-hosted digital health consultancy, and Co>Space North – a digital health and ‘techforgood’ collaboration space in Leeds.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Mindwave at such a pivotal time.

“The Leeds’ office expansion is a natural progression for the business. In my role as chief innovation officer I will be working closely with our new COO, as well as Mindwave founder and CEO Kumar Jacob to meet our clients’ needs and ensure that they are fully equipped to benefit from the UK’s digital health revolution.”

The company has also appointed a new chief operating officer, Dr Janak Gunatilleke. Gunatilleke has 14 years’ experience in healthcare in a variety of clinical, operational and consulting roles within the NHS, SMEs and large corporates, including Accenture.

He will be responsible for ensuring continued growth, and working with clients to identify where technology can have the strongest impact.

He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed into the role of chief operating officer and keen to start ramping up the scope and depth of the Mindwave offering.”

Mr Jacob said: “Janak and Victoria join us at a really exciting time for Mindwave. As we grow our senior management team, we will ensure that we are able to provide our clients across the NHS, charitable and private sector the seamless, unparalleled digital health services they need.”

Chief executive of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan, said: “The digital sector in Leeds City Region contributes £6.6 billion to our economy. It’s a fast-growing tech hub.

“This year, Tech Nation and Dealroom found that venture capital investment into our region’s tech companies amounted to £108.8 million, the fastest rate in the North.

“As the UK’s largest economic region outside of London, the Leeds City Region already has a world-leading concentration of excellence in healthtech. It is already home to more than 250 healthtech businesses and leading centres of academic excellence in research and innovation.

“I’m delighted that Mindwave is expanding into Leeds.”