Three female-led HealthTech startups in Glasgow—Silver Lion Innovations, Seluna, and Smplicare—have secured over €1.1 million in early-stage funding, accelerating the delivery of their innovative healthcare technologies to the market. This investment comes from STAC Invest, the investment arm of Scotland’s industry-led accelerator, STAC.
Angus Macfadyen, Head of Investment at STAC, stated that the STAC investment arm was created to address the need for industry-led, founder-centric capital in Scotland’s innovation landscape, providing not just money, but also mentorship and access to advanced labs and networks. He emphasized support for these remarkable female founders who are building companies tackling real-world healthcare challenges.
Silver Lion Innovations, founded by Ruth and Conor Crozier in 2018, developed EasyOver, a smart mattress topper that aids those with limited mobility by allowing them to turn in bed comfortably with the push of a button, enhancing the quality of life for users and caregivers. Ruth Crozier expressed how invaluable STAC’s support has been, highlighting the accelerator’s role in refining pitches, connecting with partners, and practical help with communications and hiring.
Seluna, co-founded in 2022 by Dr. Scott Black and Dr. Yola Jones, focuses on machine learning software to manage childhood sleep apnoea, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline sleep study interpretation. Dr. Jones noted that STAC’s investment is transformative for Seluna, enhancing their ability to conduct real-world validation with NHS partners and advance toward clinical trials.
Smplicare, started in 2021 by Alexandra Melling and Garrett Sprague, is developing a fall prevention platform for older adults, predicting fall risks with high accuracy through machine learning. Melling emphasized the significant endorsement and guidance provided by STAC, which will aid in expanding their platform to support more families.
The funding will allow these startups to boost development, conduct validation studies, and expand their market presence, all headquartered in thebeyond, STAC’s innovation hub in Finnieston, Glasgow. Macfadyen noted the investment as a significant step towards establishing thebeyond as an International Centre of Excellence for innovative tech companies.
Founded in 2021, STAC offers an 18-month program supporting 15–20 companies every nine months, featuring 116 structured “business ingredients” covering areas from product development to international scaling, alongside mentorship and co-working space at thebeyond innovation hub. The potential of these startups lies in addressing urgent health and social care needs, joining a wave of HealthTech innovation in Scotland aiming for global impact.