NHS VC Fund Backs Two AI Mental Health Start‑Ups to Trial Technology in UK Hospitals

Meridian Health Ventures has made its first investments in AI firms focusing on mental health, aiming to accelerate NHS trials of innovative digital therapy tools.

In the past 24 hours, Meridian Health Ventures, the NHS‑backed venture capital fund previously known as KHP Ventures, has announced its inaugural investments into two AI‑based mental health companies: Affiniti AI and Hologen AI. The funding will support trials at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, marking the first steps in bringing cutting‑edge AI tools into mental health care within the NHS.

Affiniti AI aims to blend artificial intelligence with human‑led therapy models to make mental health treatment more cost‑effective and scalable. Hologen AI, supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, focuses on aiding psychiatric drug development via AI platforms. The £20 million fund, with £8 million contributed by the Wellcome Trust, seeks to support up to 20 start‑ups, providing them with access to NHS trial infrastructure and reducing dependence on US‑based validation.

This initiative reflects a broader strategy to accelerate UK health innovation and foster home‑grown AI solutions. By partnering with NHS institutions, startup ventures gain critical testing grounds, while the NHS benefits from early exposure to transformative technologies. Observers see this as a positive step toward ensuring the UK captures value from AI innovation in health, rather than exporting it abroad.

The fund’s launch highlights a growing alignment between public health priorities and AI development, reinforcing the UK’s ambition to establish itself as a leader in responsible health technology innovation. Trials are expected to inform broader adoption pending demonstrated effectiveness and cost‑benefits.

This move signals a promising future where AI‑driven mental health solutions are developed and validated within the NHS.

This article has been generated by AI.