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
What’s included in the programme?
You get:
- 18 interactive sessions and workshops delivered by industry and academic leaders, covering business models, IP, customer discovery, investment readiness, deeptech finance, pitching and more
- Access to a network of 100+ handpicked experts, including industry specialists
- Dedicated legal advice when you need it – from our partner law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, with a proven track record advising some of the world’s most innovative companies and deep ties to both Silicon Valley and Europe's maturing tech ecosystem.
- For top-performing teams: up to 6 months of tailored 1-on-1 and group coaching
- Networking and community-building events
- Introductions to key industry players via our Industry Advisory Board (e.g. NVIDIA, Unilever, XTX Markets)
- Credits for valuable business and technology resources to support your startup growth
- Access to co-working spaces (subject to availability)
- Visibility within Europe’s largest community of early-stage deeptech founders, investors and industry leaders
- Continued support and guidance from our team beyond the programme
Who are your industry partners?
Our Industry Advisory Board includes NVIDIA, AstraZeneca, GSK, Unilever, EDF Energy, XTX Markets, Barclays, Coca-Cola Europacific Ventures, IBM, Azerion.
Do I need to raise investment?
No, raising investment isn’t required. But if you’re ready and want to pursue funding, we can support you every step of the way.
What investment opportunities are available for top performers?
- 6 months of intensive 1-on-1 coaching
- Pitch to the Conception X Angel Syndicate and our partner XTX Ventures (up to £250k available)
- Intros to our network of 700+ investors
- A shot at pitching at our Demo Day – to an audience of 200+ early-stage deeptech investors
Can I participate in both Conception X and CX Raise?
Yes! Some participants take part in both programmes. CX Raise participants sometimes join Conception X if they need additional training, and Conception X participants can apply to CX Raise in the autumn, after completing certain modules.
What’s CX Raise again?
If you want to get investment-ready in 10 weeks, here’s a dedicated page with all the details.
What’s deeptech?
Deeptech refers to startups built on significant scientific or engineering breakthroughs – typically emerging from universities or research institutions. Think CRISPR gene editing, quantum computers, fusion energy or AI that can discover new drugs. Unlike typical software startups, deeptech ventures often require substantial R&D, longer development cycles and significant capital, but have the potential to fundamentally change how we live. If your research tackles problems at the edge of what's technically possible, you're probably working on deeptech
