From your vision to your venture

As part of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), we provide businesses with direct access to a powerful ecosystem of academic expertise, research capabilities, and emerging talent, designed to accelerate innovation in health and medical technology.

 

From your vision to your venture with ARU and Arise

At Arise Innovation Hubs we support a growing community of MedTech innovators. As part of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), we provide businesses with direct access to a powerful ecosystem of academic expertise, research capabilities, and emerging talent, designed to accelerate innovation in health and medical technology.

For MedTech SMEs, the journey from concept to commercialisation is complex and resource-intensive. ARU’s business services are strategically aligned to support this journey at every stage, from early-stage R&D to workforce development and market readiness.

Access to Specialist Talent

ARU offers a rich pipeline of students and graduates from health sciences, biomedical engineering, and computing disciplines—ideal for MedTech companies seeking fresh perspectives and technical skills. Through internships, placements, and Live Briefs, businesses can engage with students on real-world challenges, gaining valuable input while supporting student development.

The ARU Temps service simplifies recruitment by managing advertising, shortlisting, and payroll, allowing MedTech firms to focus on innovation. Many Arise Members have successfully recruited interns who have gone on to contribute significantly to product development and clinical research.

A proportion of ARU’s Research Investment Fund is allocated each year to support their Undergraduate research and innovation Internships. This means Arise were able to support their members with 3 research and innovation interns. These interns are students who support a company's projects by conducting research, analysing data, and developing innovative solutions. An intern working with Adiuvo Engineering was successfully employed by the business after the internship ended.

Mart Magi, Head of Robotics at Antobot shared his positive experience with two research and innovation interns. He was impressed that both interns were able to work to independently and deliver excellent outcomes, stating,

"Our main constraint as a business is often time. The Arise Internship scheme was excellent for us since our inputs were minimal, but outcomes very good."

To read more about this, read our case study on ARU Research and Innovation Interns: providing fresh talent and skills to Arise businesses.

Driving Research and Development

ARU’s strength in applied research makes it an ideal partner for MedTech companies looking to develop or validate new technologies. Through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), businesses can embed a postgraduate associate within their team to lead a strategic R&D project, supported by ARU’s academic experts and state-of-the-art facilities. These projects are part-funded by Innovate UK, making them a cost-effective route to innovation.

One of these projects involves the collaboration between Linkgevity and ARU researcher and lead academic Justin Stebbings from the School of Life Sciences, FSE. The project is about formulating a first in class anti-necrotic for use in cryopreservation augmenting the existing platform technology. Supporting the development and growth of the cryopreservation sector and improving hospital diagnostics, reducing invasive biopsy requirements and ensuring high-quality samples for accurate and efficient diagnostics.

For shorter-term or more focused needs, ARU also offers contract research and consultancy. Whether it’s usability testing, data analysis, or regulatory insight, ARU’s academic teams work to a business’s brief to deliver actionable outcomes.

Upskilling the MedTech Workforce

In a sector where regulatory knowledge and technical expertise are critical, ARU’s Degree Apprenticeships and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes offer a valuable route to upskilling. Courses are tailored to industry needs and delivered flexibly, allowing employees to gain qualifications while contributing to business growth.

ARU supports employers through every step of the apprenticeship process, from navigating funding rules to recruitment and programme delivery, to ensuring a seamless experience for both business and learner.

For instance, the Ambitious Essex Pre-Accelerator program provided opportunities to upskill. Delivered by Medilink Midlands in partnership with Arise, and funded by Essex County Council, this program was designed to nurture small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) by offering a blend of expertise, networking, and collaborative opportunities. The chance to discuss challenges with fellow entrepreneurs over a cup of coffee was incredibly useful. Japeto’s CEO Ingrid, remarked, “It was a really good networking opportunity and I loved having it in-person.”

A Collaborative Innovation Environment

ARU and Arise have previously been part of a successful project. Arise members Aerial Icon are collaborating with ARU to create innovative mental health therapies. Together, they developed, submitted and secured a bid from Innovate UK for £50,000 to conduct a research study on the efficacy of VR therapy for common mental health conditions. Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency, helping UK businesses to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services.

This collaboration with ARU has been multifaceted and deeply impactful. This study, involving ARU students and academics, aims to validate the therapeutic benefits of their VR solutions and secure additional research and innovation funds. For more information, read our Case study here.

Being based at Arise means more than just having a desk. It means being part of a collaborative, innovation-driven community with direct links to ARU’s research, talent, and enterprise support. Members benefit from networking events, academic partnerships, and visibility within a growing MedTech cluster in Essex.

Muntazir, CEO of Arise-based Vibe Agency, recalls:

“We met Professor Tony Young (Anglia Ruskin’s Director of Medical Innovation), and he made an introduction, through Arise, which enabled us to bid on and win an initial contract working with primary care in Essex.” Muntazir tells us “Everything we’ve done with other care providers since then has stemmed from that.”

He went on to say, “Being at Arise has been a real catalyst for us.”

For MedTech businesses looking to scale, innovate, and make a meaningful impact in healthcare, ARU and Arise Innovation Hubs offer a unique and powerful partnership.

To explore how your MedTech business can benefit, contact [email protected] or visit ariseinnovation.co.uk.