Jo Rudzki
Partner Relationship Manager
InterVent Cardio Limited has been named the winner of the 2024 TBAT Innovation Challenge, a competition aimed at fostering innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The award, announced on October 9th at our Innovation Challenge Finalist Showcase, recognises the company’s development of a revolutionary medical device designed to address heart failure, one of cardiology’s most pressing challenges.
The Innovation Challenge Headline Sponsor, Shakespeare Martineau, emphasised the importance of supporting SMEs and their potential to shape the future. Roger Harcourt, Partner and Head of Office at Shakespeare Martineau, commented:
“The level of innovation and determination demonstrated by this year’s participants is truly inspiring. We are honoured to partner with TBAT Innovation and support these SMEs as they strive to create impactful solutions and shape the future of their sectors.”
The winning innovation, InterVent Cardio’s Pericardial Balloon Support System (PAL), leverages advanced space technology to provide a novel solution for patients with cardiac pump failure. Designed by a team of cardiologists and space engineers, PAL is a patent-protected balloon device that sits in the pericardial space outside the heart, delivering direct support without interfering with circulation. This breakthrough device could potentially save countless lives by offering a new way to treat heart failure, a condition where the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs.
The TBAT Innovation Challenge Finalist Showcase, held at the National Space Centre in Leicester, celebrated cutting-edge ideas across a variety of sectors, including med-tech, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and aviation. Our ten finalists pitched their projects to a panel of judges, with InterVent Cardio being named the overall winner.
The evening also included a special Audience Winner Award, sponsored by Charnwood Campus Science and Technology Park, which was also given to InterVent Cardio, underscoring the strong impression the company made on both the judges and attendees.
Sam Stephens, Founding Director of TBAT Innovation, praised the high caliber of entries this year, noting:
“The Innovation Challenge Finalist Showcase is a testament to the remarkable creativity and resilience of SMEs. It’s rewarding to witness their hard work and innovation being celebrated, and we’re proud to be part of their journey toward success.”
InterVent Cardio’s Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, David Adlam, expressed his excitement for what this recognition means for the company’s future:
“We hope that this will be a real springboard for the company because we have this great concept for a device that we think will really transform the care of patients. We hope to be able to build from this to reach out and network with all of the people we need to make this business a success.”
As the winners, InterVent Cardio will receive a comprehensive support package valued at £65,000, including a £5,000 cash prize, to help accelerate the development of PAL. The prize will be shared with the two runners-up, Flux Aviation and CoolRun, each of whom will receive tailored business support.
Flux Aviation was recognised for its work on electric motors and batteries for next-generation aircraft, while CoolRun impressed with its zero-emission, temperature-controlled transport solution.
The 2024 TBAT Innovation Challenge not only showcased some of the UK’s brightest innovators but also highlighted the power of collaboration between industries like healthcare and space technology. As InterVent Cardio takes the next steps in developing their life-saving device, the future looks bright for this innovative med-tech company.
For more information about the Innovation Challenge and how TBAT Innovation supports SMEs, please click here.
If you would like to get involved in the 2025 Innovation Challenge, please email jor@tbat.co.uk
On Sunday 22nd September, six members of our TBAT Innovation team completed the Leicestershire 3 Peaks Challenge to raise funds for Leicester's Charity Link.
Meet the Top 10 Finalists of The Innovation Challenge 2024, proudly presented by TBAT Innovation with Headline Sponsor Shakespeare Martineau!
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