About the Programme


Deadlines for recruitment

  • Cohort 10 - 24th February, 2025, 12pm (midday)


HLA:IDEAS is an incubator programme that supports social enterprises and non-profit organisations in healthcare. Beyond that, we aim to foster leadership in healthcare through promoting entrepreneurship among healthcare professionals. 


The programme is delivered in accordance with the values of the Healthcare Leadership Academy:


  • Accessibility and equity, and a belief that all healthcare professionals should have the means to learn about and engage in social enterprise; at any level at any time
  • Belief that inclusivity is key to leadership - leadership should not be the arena of 
    a chosen few but of all those with innovative visions, ideas and solutions


HLA:IDEAS is a two-year-programme designed to help initiatives face the challenges associated with establishing and growing an organisation.


Most incubator programmes are designed for for-profit organisations, with focus on quick expansion and maximising profit. HLA:IDEAS is an innovative programme aimed at non-profit organisations who face different challenges and require unique strategies for development. We focus on sustainable growth and targeting resources to achieve significant and meaningful impact.


Requirements

  • Non-profit organisation or social enterprise
  • Focused on supporting and developing health systems
  • Led by a healthcare professional, or a student training to become a healthcare professional


Our applications are open to organisations at all stages of their development, and we target the support we provide to their needs. 


What are we looking for?

  • Innovative solution for a clearly defined problem
  • The right individuals to take the initiative forward who are ambitious and goal-oriented
  • Demonstration of commitment 
  • A readiness to commit - both to further development of the initiative, as well as the requirements of the programme


Programme topics

We educate initiatives on a range of topics related to first establishing, getting your organisation of the ground, and then expanding it. These include:


1. Building an innovative solution

    a. Finding a niche

    b. Defining the problem

    c. Evaluating the market and competition

    d. Creating a development/business plan

    e. Choosing your business model


2. Protecting your enterprise

    a. Incorporating your social enterprise or registering your charity

    b. Intellectual property

    c. Team agreements

    d. Investor agreements

    e. How to hand over your organisation to the next group of people who will lead it


3. Funding your idea

    a. Analysing how much you need

    b. Participating in competitions

    c. Evaluating different types of investment

    d. How to spend the money


4. Bringing a solution to the fruition

    a. Creating a brand

    b. Field testing

    c. Social media

    d. Website


FAQs


What Projects are Accepted onto The HLA IDEAS Programme?

We are open to any non-profit organisations, including charities and community interest companies. Due to governance issues, we cannot accept student societies that are registered with a student union. 


Do I Need to be an HLA Scholar to Apply?

No, the programme is open to all. 


How is the Programme Run?

We offer personalised one-to-one support by engaging with organisations every 2 to 3 months to discuss their projects and provide tailored mentorship focused on fostering growth and long-term sustainability. Pre-recorded webinars are available on the portal, allowing organisations to access them at their convenience. As part of the programme, members are required to attend both the onboarding session and the mandatory Day 1 session. Additionally, organisations must ensure representation at the HLA:IDEAS Conference in September and the HLA Conference in November. Organisations are also expected to meet with the HLA Director twice annually to explore opportunities for organisational development.


Will There be Funding Given Out for Our Projects?

The Programme has a cost equivalent to approximately £10,000 when compared to other incubators and accelerators. The HLA incorporates this cost into running the programme free to the organisations involved. Initiatives will also be offered discounts on Medics.Academy educational courses. No direct financial grants are offered through the programme. 


How is HLA:IDEAS Funded?

HLA:IDEAS has been funded through a donation of £50,000 from the Medics.Academy Charity Partnership Programme. We also receive support from the incredible HLA Community.


Contact us at: [email protected]

About the HLA:IDEAS Faculty

Dr Ali Jawad

Associate Director at The Healthcare Leadership Academy

Ali is Associate Director at The Healthcare Leadership Academy. He is also a doctor in north-west London and an NHS Clinical Innovation and Entrepreneur Fellow as part of the first-ever cohort under the National Clinical Director for Innovation at NHS England.He has a background in graphic design, technology, charities, management, and education. He regularly gives talks on innovation in medical education and has presented his research internationally. He continues to teach locally and also leads a national teaching course for medical students.

Natalia Skorupska

Programme Manager

Natalia is an HLA Scholar. She graduated from the University of Cambridge, and is currently doing the Academic Foundation Programme in Bristol. 

Dr Johann Malawana

Founder and Director of The Healthcare Leadership Academy and Medics.Academy

Dr Johann has worked across government, professional, commercial, public sector and international organisations and developed an international reputation as a thought leader in Healthcare Education and Training, Commercialisation and Leadership. Having been trained as a medical doctor and obstetrician, he worked in the NHS for over a decade. Having undertaken several leadership roles across medicine, responsible for large teams, coordinating negotiations on behalf of the medical profession twice with the government and the NHS. Dr Malawana has been appointed previously by the privy council and the Secretary of State for Health to the Boards of the General Medical Council and Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board sitting on committees ranging from finance, pensions, ethics and policy work. Dr Malawana has been recognised in all his previous roles for the exceptional contributions he has made and for having a huge impact on the environments he has worked within. Dr Malawana was appointed as the Healthcare UK, Department of International Trade Specialist Advisor on Education and Training for the UK Healthcare system where he developed strategic policies and partnerships for the public and private sector.

Host Organisation

The Healthcare Leadership Academy

The Healthcare Leadership was founded by Dr Johann Malawana in 2016, with the aim to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and develop their understanding of leadership.