TBAT Innovation awards life-saving sepsis test as 2023 Innovation Challenge winner

Innovators of a life-saving sepsis test, Septest Limited, has claimed the top prize at the Finalist Showcase of this year’s TBAT Innovation Challenge.

The final, on 11 October, was a culmination of months of work following the annual competition’s launch in February. The challenge is dedicated to nurturing and advancing innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering financial and business support to progress game-changing ideas or products.

Septest clinched this victory by unveiling a ground-breaking sepsis diagnostic test – a condition which is responsible for one in five deaths worldwide* and kills 48,000 people every year in the UK**. Septest’s rapid point of need test delivers results in minutes, which is a monumental improvement over current tests, which can take hours to yield results, a delay that can have life-threatening consequences. Septest’s innovation has the potential to save countless lives by enabling faster diagnosis and providing guidance on the most effective initial treatment options for this devastating condition.

TBAT, alongside headline sponsor Shakespeare Martineau, made the night a memorable one, shedding light on the immense talent and potential within the industry at the event at the Hilton East Midlands Airport Hotel. With ten finalists, the competition was fierce and showcased an impressive range of ideas and projects from various sectors including design, health, mobility, and artificial intelligence.

Dr. Nik Kotecha OBE DL, the Founder of Morningside Pharmaceuticals and the Founder and Chairman of the Randal Charitable Foundation, graced the proceedings with his keynote speech titled ‘Garage to Global.’

As this year’s winners, Septest will receive a part of a support package valued at £50,000, customised to propel their business to new heights. As part of this prize package, Septest will receive grant funding application assistance, legal aid, intellectual property audits, accountancy support, regulatory services, professional marketing assistance, and advanced PR and communications consultancy from TBAT Innovation’s sponsors and supporting partners***.

Heartfelt Technologies was awarded a runner-up prize for an automatic, AI supported, non-contact telemonitoring solution for heart failure patients. Zeal Lifestyle was also awarded a runner-up prize for redefining the assisted living sector with its focus on recyclability and sustainability.

Commenting on the event’s success, Sam Stephens, founding director of TBAT, said:

“The quality of entries we received this year was truly astounding. It’s great to witness such original and pioneering spirit among small businesses and to be part of their journey towards achieving great milestones.”

Kelly Wilson, co-founder of Septest, said:

“Winning the Innovation Challenge is a wonderful way to acknowledge the Septest team’s hard work and dedication in trying to solve the global sepsis diagnostic challenge. We’re incredibly thankful to TBAT and all sponsors for recognising our efforts and for providing this platform for growth. The support from the TBAT team, both in financial aid and business expertise, is transformational for start-up businesses like ours.”

For more information on this year’s winners, visit the Septest website.

*World Health Organisation

**UK Sepsis Trust

*** Headline Sponsor: Shakespeare Martineau. Additional sponsors: Modus Accountants, Forresters IP, Bulb Studios, IMed Consultancy

Additional support from: Oxford Product Design, Rocking Horse Group UK, EMBS Talent, Red Marlin, Conformance Limited