Local surgeon turned entrepreneur works with UCLan to turn business idea into reality

A Lancashire surgeon turned entrepreneur says he would be a “ship lost at sea” without the hands-on business mentoring he’s received from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

Retired consultant knee surgeon Shameem Sampath, from Lytham, has worked with the university’s business support arm for the last two years after using his life-long experience to create a smart-technology product called Slider to support pre and post-operation knee and hip patients.

Shameem contacted UCLan in 2018 after needing help to turn his business idea into reality. After tapping into the university’s Health MATTERS programme, a three-year collaborative venture between the university and the Innovation Agency, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Shameem has now established a start-up company called ai Rehab Ltd and is ready to start production with his product that has recently been granted a CE Mark.

Shameem said: “I honestly don’t know where I’d be without the support I’ve received from UCLan. I was a surgeon not a businessman so I hadn’t got a clue how to take my idea forward but I knew it was worth pursuing.

“The business experts at UCLan helped me with early designs of Slider, linked me with potential investors and helped me apply for funding grants. I had some bad experiences when I initially set up my business, so it was refreshing to work with a team that had my best interests at heart and treated me as an individual with specific business needs.”

UCLan employs a team of experts with years of experience to work with a wide range of sectors to address specific needs and develop opportunities. Through its Idea to Scale-Up programme, companies can work with the university on product design, development and validation, intellectual property (IP) protection, securing investment, commercial strategy and exploring new markets.

Peter Leather, head of IP and commercialisation at UCLan, said: “The university is in the fortunate position of housing a range of expertise and experience under one roof. We can offer a streamlined, multi-disciplinary package of support to businesses from a variety of sectors, whether they’re looking to speed up product development time, increase market share or raise investment funds.”

Shameem is currently using the Idea to Scale-Up Programme to help him validate his product in a real-world clinical environment. Through the Health MATTERS programme Shameem will also receive help in accessing the NHS, clinical staff and commissioners who can validate Slider`s clinical performance.

Shameem said: “I’ve developed an innovative product that uses artificial intelligence to record a patient’s knee or hip exercise progress and then shares the information directly with a physiotherapist. My ultimate aim is for Slider to be rolled out across the NHS.”

Chris Wynne, investment manager in the Idea to Scale-up Team, added: “Shameem’s been a great client to work with and it’s been fantastic to see how not only Slider has developed as a product, but how Shameem has developed as an entrepreneur over the last two years. ai Rehab Ltd is just one example of how a new start-up business can tap into the support services on offer at UCLan.”

Businesses can email [email protected] to find out more.

Enjoyed this? Read more from University of Central Lancashire

Latest news

1

Morecambe shortlisted in National Visa Awards celebrating the UK’s thriving towns David Waddington and John O'Neill

Morecambe shortlisted in National Visa Awards celebrating the UK’s thriving towns

04 Jul 2025

2

County council sets out 'areas of focus for 2025-26 in document Coun Stephen Atkinson

County council sets out 'areas of focus for 2025-26 in document

04 Jul 2025

3

Warden Construction completes project to help Preston school double pupil numbers Warden Construction completes project to help Preston school double pupil numbers

Warden Construction completes project to help Preston school double pupil numbers

04 Jul 2025

4

Grant Thornton advises RJ Power Networks on sale to Ipsum Jamie Roberts

Grant Thornton advises RJ Power Networks on sale to Ipsum

04 Jul 2025

5

College principal resigns Karen Buchanan

College principal resigns

04 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin