Launched in 2023 and funded by the UKRI Technology Missions Fund, Science Creates Accelerate has also embarked on a new partnership with globally recognised VCs to support a second cohort of deep tech entrepreneurs.
Science Creates Accelerate, launched last year with a UK-wide, equity-free Engineering Biology accelerator in partnership with government agency UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has unveiled the second round of their flagship programme with the support of leading European and US VCs.
The partnership, where VCs take no equity and no Right of First Refusal in companies formed through the accelerator, seeks to find the best fit between companies and investors, intentionally providing deep tech founders and entrepreneurs with the best opportunity to succeed in their journey to improve the health of people and the planet.
Dr Harry Destecroix, Science Creates Founder and SCVC Managing Partner, said: “Our objective is to build an internationally recognised accelerator programme that gives the direct training and mentorship that is so important when transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur.
“Neither SCVC nor our partners take any equity or option to invest, which is intentional because we believe the opportunity is both enormous and largely untapped. For us, it’s about getting the best VCs together and developing the best founders to forge great co-investments that will lead to building a new wave of multibillion dollar startups that could move the needle in terms of healthcare and sustainability.”
Amino Collective, Giant VC, Local Globe and Pillar VC are some of the firms who have joined SCVC, Science Creates’ official venture arm, in supporting Science Creates Accelerate. The first cohort to benefit from the VC partnerships will be the upcoming Engineering Biology Accelerator Programme.
The accelerator programme, funded through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund, provides deep-tech start-ups and innovators with the support needed to transform their ideas into ground-breaking inventions to advance the health of people and the planet.
It is open to anyone with an existing Engineering Biology startup in its very early stages or anyone wishing to launch one. Technology may be focused on either biomedicine, environmental solutions, food systems or clean growth. The UK-wide hybrid programme will take place at Science Creates’ deep tech hub in Bristol, as well as remotely, over nine weeks starting on 17 June.
Participants will have access to a variety of training and workshops, as well as a network of investors critical to a startup’s journey. There is also the opportunity for selected successful candidates to unlock equity-free feasibility funding from UKRI for their startups to test the feasibility of their ideas and technologies.
The launch follows the successful completion of a first accelerator programme in 2023 and over half of the graduating companies went on to receive equity-free feasibility funding from UKRI to help take their ideas to the next stage.
Those interested in finding out more about the programme can visit the Accelerator Roadshows, which will be held:
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19th March – Edinburgh (University of Edinburgh)
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20th March – Manchester (University of Manchester)
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22nd March – Southampton (University of Southampton)
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27th March – Bristol (Science Creates)
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date tbc – London
Financial support will be available to applicants including a £3,900 stipend to help with living costs, along with flexible, hybrid options for participating.
Expression of interest applications close on Wednesday 3rd April. Visit https://www.accelerate.sciencecreates.co.uk/for more information and to apply.
