Turn your PhD research into a startup without leaving academia
Most breakthrough research never reaches the people it was meant for. Over 9 months, we'll help you explore how to commercialise your work and give you the skills and network to grow your idea – at a pace that works for you.
Completely free
No fees, no equity taken
Hands-on sessions
18 expert-led workshops on business models, customer discovery, IP strategy and more
Flexible
Part-time experience designed around your research timeline
Path to investment
Top performers get coaching and can access up to £250k equity investment
100+ expert network
Direct access to mentors and
industry advisors
We're flexible about...
Your team setup (solo founder or team)
How developed your idea is (pre-idea to early stage is perfect)
Your exact research field (all technical PhDs welcome)
Is it right for you?
You’ll need to meet the following criteria to apply.
You're a PhD student*
Currently registered at a university
*We’ll consider exceptional recent PhD graduates, postdocs and early-career researchers.
You have a breakthrough
Working on innovative technology based on your research
You can commit at least ~65 hours over 9 months
Including training, workshops and coaching (if you qualify)
You can join both online and in-person
Programme is online but includes 3 mandatory in-person events
Your university is in the UK or Europe
All UK- and Europe-based PhDs welcome
Already have a startup and need funding help?
Meet our PhD founders
Oceanography PhD turns AI wave models into first offshore analytics platform, raising £670k
I never thought I could do anything like this — the confidence I’ve gained through Conception X has been unprecedented. Going from feeling unsatisfied about the impact of my research to pitching at Demo Day really opened my eyes to what I’m capable of.
First-time PhD founder exits heat pump optimisation startup in under 4 years
Being a long-term programme spanning nine months rather than weeks, Conception X provided us with an effective platform to develop from scratch and grow into a startup. The practical training and mentoring focused on working with our startup, not just plotting ideas around.
Nanoparticle drug delivery breakthrough becomes funded startup advancing brain treatments
We didn’t change the product — we changed the mindset. As researchers, we were thinking in one direction, but with Conception X we discovered new applications and a clearer path to market. Being in Portugal wasn’t a constraint — the online format worked perfectly for us.
Nanoelectronics researcher raises £1.3m to slash chip manufacturing time
Conception X has been my favourite programme so far. I started it while still doing my PhD, and it helped me transition into running a startup without dropping everything. It’s designed to run alongside your research, so you can learn practical skills like finance, IP and legal considerations without feeling overwhelmed. Coaching and Demo Day were invaluable, and it’s where I made my first VC contacts.
FAQ
Do I need to pay anything?
Nope! We’re a not-for-profit, and the programme is completely free – no fees and no equity taken. We believe great ideas shouldn't be held back by money.
How much time will I need?
About 20 days total over 9 months, broken down like this:
- ~40 hours of training sessions
- ~12 hours of coaching (for top performers only)
- ~10 hours of workshops and extra support
- Plus 3 in-person events, including a 2-day bootcamp in London
Keep in mind: what you put in is what you get out – our most successful teams choose to spend more time engaging with the programme and building their startup. All training sessions are recorded if you need to catch up.
Am I expected to attend sessions in person?
Some – we have a hybrid model and we would like you to join all the in-person sessions and events that have been designed to support your journey. We're happy to support students with travel – reach out to our team for more information.
I'm not in the UK – can I still apply?
Absolutely! We welcome PhD students from anywhere in the UK and Europe. You'll need to travel to London for in-person events.
What year of my PhD should I be in?
Any year – Conception X is suitable for PhD students at any stage and we've seen great founders at every stage.
Do I need a team?
Not at all. Solo founders are welcome – some of our best companies started with just one passionate researcher.
Do I need to have a company already?
No, but you may want to incorporate during the programme – we'll help you figure that out.
How developed does my idea need to be?
Anywhere from "I think this could work" to initial proof of concept and early prototypes (typically TRL 3-TRL 5). We love working with researchers who are just starting to explore the commercial potential of their ideas.
I have two ideas I'm excited about – help!
Tell us about both in your application! Part of what we do is help you figure out which one has the most potential.
Can I apply as a not-for-profit or social enterprise?
Yes – just know that some of our investment opportunities might not be the right fit, but we can help you explore grant opportunities instead.
