Today marks a proud milestone for Nicki Allen, founder and CEO of Haptiv8, as she takes the stage at The Big Pitch, the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme’s flagship showcase of the UK’s most exciting healthcare innovators.
Nicki’s journey with Haptiv8 – a wearable technology startup tackling tip-toe walking in children with autism – has gathered impressive momentum since her participation in LYVA Labs Incubator.
Building on those foundations, Nicki has secured a significant investment led by Deepbridge Capital, backing the development of Haptiv8’s sensory-driven technology. The groundbreaking solution encourages natural heel-strike by delivering sensory rewards, while also capturing real-time data for clinicians and families to personalise treatments.
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of achievement. Nicki was named winner of the Paediatric Health Innovation Sprint, hosted by the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals. She also took to the stage at Medical Technology UK in Coventry, offering practical insights into the journey from clinical practice to developing market-ready medtech.
👣 Innovation with Impact
Tip-toe walking affects up to 45% of children with autism and is typically managed through expensive, often invasive surgical and non-surgical treatments. Haptiv8’s approach offers a child-friendly, non-invasive, and cost-effective alternative — one that directly addresses three of the 18 key priorities outlined in the NHS 2025/26 plan. In a recent survey, 94% of paediatric physiotherapists expressed concern about access to rehabilitation services — highlighting the urgent need for solutions like Haptiv8.
Nicki Allen, CEO of Haptiv8:
“This investment will enable Haptiv8 to develop the first sensory reward technology for tip-toe walkers, enhancing gait through sensory innovation in a way that children can interact with and enjoy,”
We’re incredibly proud to have supported Nicki through the LYVA Labs Incubator and look forward to seeing Haptiv8 continue its rise — starting with today’s pitch to national investors, NHS leaders, and policymakers.
Learn more at www.haptiv8.com