Event highlight video
Last week, Hale House hosted the Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN) in collaboration with Harley Street Health District for the very first Mental Health Innovation Showcase. The event brought together leading minds in mental health, HealthTech, and innovation for a day of real-world impact, collaboration, and future vision.
A hub for HealthTech and real-world change
The event was held at Hale House, the HealthTech hub of the District, designed and built by The Howard de Walden Estate to foster collaboration and accelerate healthcare solutions.
Mark Kildea, Chief Executive, The Howard de Walden Estate, said “We realised that we had this powerful role to play in bringing together some of the key players in health innovation.”
Aahuti Rai, founder of the MHIN said: “The Harley Street Health District mission and vision is 100% aligned to the very reason why the Mental Health Innovation Network was born. By combining forces to put on this event, the ecosystem has benefited exponentially.”
The MHIN Showcase welcomed healthcare providers, innovators, investors, charities, academics, and decision makers -all united by a shared commitment to transforming mental health care.
Dr Lia Ali, Consultant Psychiatrist and Digital Health Strategy, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said: “This feels like a really special community who are all trying to improve mental health care through innovation and that feels really exciting.”
Partnerships in Action
Case studies showcased high-impact partnerships and how organisations like Priory & Psyomics, Vitality & Wysa, and North East London NHS Foundation Trust & TMS Insight are tackling clinical challenges and reshaping care pathways.
Startup demos: the next wave of innovation
Five carefully selected startups took the stage to present their solutions:
- Dr Julian: A digital platform connecting therapists to patients, supporting clinicians and empowering individuals with personalised dashboards and real-time outcomes tracking.
- Embers the Dragon: Early intervention through storytelling and digital content, improving children’s mental health and supporting families and educators.
- Affiniti AI: An AI co-therapist addressing therapy bottlenecks and making care more scalable.
- Speek: Family-inclusive digital support for adolescent self-harm.
- XR Therapeutics: VR therapy tools delivering immersive treatment for phobias and anxiety, proven to cut treatment times and improve recovery rates.
Each demo was followed by a Q&A, with audience engagement reflecting the appetite for new approaches and scalable solutions.
Pooja Sikka, General Partner, Meridian Health Ventures said: “Seeing companies pitch at an event like this brings it to life for us.”
Insights from the ecosystem
Panels throughout the day featured leaders from UCLPartners, MindsetXR, Health Innovation Network South London, NHS Innovation Accelerator, ABHI, and more. Discussions explored the infrastructure and policy needed to scale innovation across the NHS and beyond, with practical advice for innovators seeking to work with established providers and systems.
Key takeaways
- Collaboration is key: Success comes from mutual learning, shared governance, and trust between clinical and digital partners.
- Innovation is happening now: Solutions showcased are already live, delivering measurable impact across the UK.
- Scaling requires infrastructure: From digital triage to integrated care pathways, the future depends on robust systems and supportive policy.
- Community matters: Events like the Mental Health Innovation Showcase build momentum for Harley Street Health District’s vision and connect innovators with the resources they need to thrive.
