Empowering Health and MedTech Founders to Scale Faster, Smarter
The Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder (MMIB) is a venture readiness programme developed in partnership with Christian Kumar, Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence. It supports ambitious health and medtech innovators in building commercially viable, scalable businesses through expert-led guidance, intensive sprint-based support, and direct investor exposure.
Cohort 1: Commercial Innovators – In Progress
Our first cohort is currently underway, comprising a combined cohort of companies that are pre-revenue but investor-ready and seeking strategic scale and £1m+ investment. With selected ventures receiving focused support over an accelerated 1–2 month period ahead of Venture Day on 3 June 2025.
Support focuses on:
- Business model validation and risk reduction
- Market access and commercial growth strategy
- Investor readiness and pitching preparation
Each company is benefitting from:
- Investment readiness and due diligence support
- Clinical, regulatory and financial strategy development
- 1:1 mentoring from leading sector experts
- Peer-to-peer learning and ecosystem integration
- Market insight from strategic partners.
This intensive programme culminates in a high-profile pitch opportunity at Venture Day, designed to connect founders with a high-value network of investors and strategic partners.
Programme Structure
MMIB meets innovators at different stages of development through tailored support streams:
Alpha Group
Academic Innovators
- Dedicated to researchers and academics with a concept ready to explore for commercialisation.
- Support delivered mainly online through the “Research to Revenue” module, led by Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence.
Beta Group
Emerging Commercial Innovators
- Designed for companies that are post-concept but pre-revenue.
- Suitable for applicants with an established business or initial funding (private or public).
- Focus on building a corporate strategy aligned with clinical development plans.
Sigma Group
Scaling Commercial Ventures
- Targeted at trading companies seeking international scale through funding or strategic growth.
- Support includes board-level guidance and growth strategy development.
- Companies may be revenue-generating or preparing for a £5m+ Series A funding round.
Venture Day – 3 June 2025
Venture Day marks the pinnacle of MMIB support, hosted at the Birmingham offices of Mills & Reeve, a Medilink Midlands Patron. Selected ventures will pitch their innovations to a curated audience of leading investment funds, industry stakeholders, and ecosystem partners.
The event will feature:
- Live pitch presentations
- Networking opportunities with investors and sector leaders
- A showcase of MMIB’s impact and innovation pipeline
Why MMIB?
MMIB is a trusted venture due diligence and growth programme. It gives founders a practical, strategic pathway to investment and commercialisation, backed by an ecosystem of experts and partners.
Programme benefits include:
- Access to a 12-month Medilink Midlands membership
- Investor and partner introductions
- Strategic support from a wide network of sector specialists
Want to Get Involved?
We’re planning Cohort 2 for Winter 2025. To stay informed or express interest, contact us:
To take part, the MMIB costs £600+VAT for UK innovators, and £900+VAT for overseas companies.
Find out more about the facilitator
Christian Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Medtech Makers Lab, brings his extensive experience in corporate finance, investment banking and wealth management. This has been gained over three decades of dedicated involvement in driving strategic growth for various enterprises to help support the ambitions of Medilink Midlands members as they strive to commercialise their own innovations
Throughout his career, Christian has honed a profound understanding of strategic growth across diverse sectors, and is proud to have played a pioneering role in developing “demand-based” business modelling. Christian thrives in the dynamic realms of Corporate Finance and Investment Banking, evident in his impressive portfolio encompassing six companies and over 22 investments across sectors such as Leisure, Med Tech, Construction, and Energy.
Currently, he is actively engaged in supporting universities and governmental bodies in devising strategic inbound investment initiatives. His role involves shaping comprehensive expansion strategies that harmonise with their overarching goals, fostering growth and innovation within these institutions.
Find out more about the Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence programme.