Applications are now open for the 2026/27 CHI-Zone Fellowship, a fully funded programme designed to bring together a diverse cohort of leaders, innovators and change-makers from across health, social care, academia, industry, technology, start-ups and the third sector. 

As we reflected on last year's Fellowship, one theme stood out above all others: the quality of the conversations. While the programme was designed to develop commercial skills, expand networks and explore the future of health innovation, what emerged was something even more valuable. Participants created a space where ideas could be tested, assumptions challenged and new perspectives welcomed. Conversations were open, supportive and respectful, often developing naturally as Fellows learned from one another's experiences. We’re excited to build on this for 2026. 

The aim of the CHI-Zone Fellowship was to bring together a diverse cohort of innovators spanning multiple sectors and professions, with the goal of fostering richer, more varied perspectives on the future of mental health innovation. In practice, it surpassed expectations, creating a rare and valuable opportunity for cross‑sector peer learning, offering fresh insights, and ultimately building relationships and collaborations to drive meaningful change.

Week 5 of the CHI-Zone Fellowship focussed on building with integrity, bringing important discussions around regulations, ethics and IP.

Session four of the CHI-Zone Fellowship switched us from opportunity exploration and market scoping to building business and delivering solutions to market. The focus was on what it really takes to grow a digital health business, work effectively with the NHS, and stay grounded in purpose and people along the way.  

For the third CHI-Zone Fellowship, our focus shifted from ideas to evidence. We took a deep dive into understanding demand, and discussed the importance of challenging assumptions and ensuring our propositions are grounded in real world evidence. 

Taking a wider view, we emphasized that evidence gathering is critical not only to solution development, but to building a credible, defensible commercial narrative.  

Last week our CHI-Zone Fellowship gathered for the second session — and what a session it was. We travelled to St Helens to visit Glass Futures, heard from two extraordinary innovators, and came away reminded how the best might come from the most unexpected corners.