Northwestern Medicine is bringing European AI health startups to the US through a partnership with Founders Factory, a UK-based accelerator, as the Chicago health system pushes to integrate artificial intelligence across patient care and operations.
The four-month program will give UK and European founders access to Northwestern’s 11 hospitals, more than 5,400 affiliated physicians, and 200-plus outpatient sites to test and scale their technologies in the American market.
Doug King is Chief Digital and Information Officer at Northwestern Medicine.
He said: “Northwestern Medicine is committed to accelerating innovation that meaningfully improves patient care, advances research, and strengthens the way healthcare is delivered.
“This collaboration with Founders Factory creates a powerful bridge between world-class European talent and one of America’s leading academic health systems.”
AI tools are increasingly central to healthcare delivery.
In oncology, over 40 per cent of AI-discovered drugs now rely on AI-assisted trial platforms in early development, according to industry data.
Some projections suggest clinical AI could help prevent around 250,000 deaths globally by 2030.
The collaboration taps into the UK’s position as a technology hub.
London ranks among the world’s top tech ecosystems, and Founders Factory has been named the country’s leading startup incubator.
Selected startups will work directly with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which has appeared on the U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital Honor Roll for 14 consecutive years.
The programme will also connect founders with Northwestern’s partner networks, including The London Clinic in the UK.
George Northcott, President of Founders Factory, said: “By teaming up with Northwestern, one of America’s top medical institutions, we are de-risking entry into the world’s biggest healthcare market for UK and European startups.
“There has never been a more exciting time for healthcare breakthroughs and technological efficiencies and it is very exciting to be supporting the best of Europe with access to one of America’s most important healthcare providers.
“This programme promotes cross-border collaboration that will ultimately drive patient outcomes in the US.”
Participants will spend a week in Chicago working with Northwestern’s clinical and commercial teams.
Applications are open through March 31, 2026, on Founders Factory’s website.
