The Global Innovation and New Technology (GIANT) Health Event of 2023, held on 4th–5th December in London, UK, was a convergence of healthcare providers, investors, and health-tech experts. Established in 2015, GIANT is dedicated to entrepreneurs, aiming to provide them with market access and expertise. Focused on enhancing global health through health-tech support and the promotion of healthcare innovation, this event facilitates participation in a rapidly expanding global community of healthcare professionals and businesses. GIANT, through its extensive network of health-tech innovators, supports all individuals within healthcare, fostering the invention and adoption of new health technologies, with the mission to innovate, accelerate, and collaborate.
The event comprised five conferences, each spotlighting an innovative area of healthcare. On 4th December, the ‘NHS National ICB Congress/Mental’ featured world-leading innovators and providers discussing new technologies for diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Sessions covered topics such as barriers and facilitators to introducing digital therapies into the National Health Service (NHS); digital technologies for anxiety, depression, and psychosis; and unmet needs in mental health research and service provision. The ‘Net Zero Technology Show’ discussed the environmental impact of healthcare, before focusing on how the NHS is implementing sustainable care models. The final conference, the ‘Women’s Health Tech Show’, addressed overcoming barriers in female health, fertility, and menstrual care; FemTech; and revolutionising primary care to support females with perinatal pelvic floor health issues.
On 5th December, the ‘Future Hospital Show’ delved into artificial intelligence and digitisation in healthcare, through talks delivered by field experts. The ‘NHS ICS/ICB Congress’ encouraged attendees to network and learn from the leaders of the UK’s new Integrated Care Systems, exploring the dramatic changes and innovations in the UK health sector. Sessions included discussions on the new NHS funding landscape, the revolutionary use of cannabinoids in medicine through nano-technology, and cost-saving technologies. The final show, the ‘Discovery Park Pitching Event’, provided start-ups with an opportunity to pitch to investors on stage, covering successes and challenges of spinning out of academic research, fundraising dos and don’ts, and the increasing importance of female health.
The GIANT Health Event stands as the UK’s premier healthcare innovation festival, housing five distinct shows. Attendees are urged to connect, network, learn, and engage in business with hundreds of world-class speakers, witness immersive innovation presentations, and observe the UK’s leading health-tech start-ups pitching to investors. GIANT’s vision is to enhance global health and wellbeing by facilitating healthcare innovation, and supporting health-tech entrepreneurs and investors.
