Pitchfest finalist Surgery Hero acquired by Sword Health

  • 27 January 2025
Pitchfest finalist Surgery Hero acquired by Sword Health
Virgilio Bento, founder and chief executive of Sword Health (Credit: Sword Health)
  • Digital Health Pitchfest finalist Surgery Hero has been bought by Sword Health
  • Sword says that by integrating Surgery Hero's prehabilitation services, it is positioned to offer support from pre-surgery through recovery in the UK
  • As part of the acquisition Sword will collaborate with 18 NHS trusts to implement its AI care model

Digital Health Pitchfest finalist Surgery Hero has been bought by Sword Health.

The UK-based innovator in prehabilitation digital health reached the scale-up shortlist of the Pitchfest competition held at Rewired in March 2023.

Global AI care firm Sword Health, which offers digital solutions for muscle and joint pain and pelvic health, announced the acquisition of Surgery Hero on 23 January 2025.

Virgilio Bento, founder and chief executive of Sword Health, said: ā€œAcquiring Surgery Hero is another key step in our mission of freeing the world from pain.

ā€œThe UK faces a mounting pain crisis, exacerbated by limited access to timely, high-quality care.

ā€œSwordā€™s AI Care platform removes barriers such as long wait times and travel constraints, providing immediate access and scale to care and ensuring patients receive the support they need when and where they need it.ā€

Sword Health said that as part of the acquisition it will collaborate with 18 NHS trusts serving 10 million people to implement its AI care model, with the aim of ā€œsupporting faster, smoother recoveries while alleviating pressure on the healthcare systemā€.

Dr Matthew Beatty, chief executive at Surgery Hero, said: ā€œJoining forces with Sword Health allows us to expand the scope of our services and deliver better care to patients.

ā€œTogether, we are committed to providing patients with the resources they need to improve their health before surgery and optimise their recovery.ā€

Beatty was one of 12 fellows to take part in the NHS Innovation Accelerator in 2024.

Surgery Hero’s product will remain part of Sword Health’s offering and its team will be integrated into Sword.

By integrating prehabilitation services, Sword says that it is positioned to offer support from pre-surgery through recovery in the UK, expanding its global footprint.

Meanwhile, finalists for the next Pitchfest were announced in December 2024, with the opportunity to win access to expert advice from CW+ and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trustā€™s CW Innovation team.

The competition will take place at Rewired 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham on 18-19 March 2025.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Sign up

Related News

Digital Health Rewired Pitchfest 2025 finalists announced

Digital Health Rewired Pitchfest 2025 finalists announced

The finalists of Digital Healthā€™s annual Pitchfest competition for start-ups have been announced ahead of the live finals at Rewired 2025.
London startup partners with NHS Providers to boost digital prehab

London startup partners with NHS Providers to boost digital prehab

London-based startup QuestPrehab has announced a partnership with NHS Providers to help NHS trusts learn about digital prehabilitation.
NHS Innovation Accelerator announces 12 new fellows

NHS Innovation Accelerator announces 12 new fellows

The NHS Innovation Accelerator has revealed the 12 new fellows who will be joining its 2024 programme to tackle issues in the healthcare sector.

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.