Build a company from your research. We build it with you

START WHERE YOU ARE

Researchers join us early, although at different stages. Our programmes are designed to complement your academic journey, and support progression from idea formation to first fundraise – and beyond.

Early PhD or postdoc, curious

You're early in your research, but curious about the founder path and ready to explore whether it's for you.

Mid-research, exploring

You’ve explored entrepreneurship through workshops or hackathons and want to define your vision, team and commercial framework.

Mid-research, gaining traction

You're forming a team, planning partnerships or pilots and starting to understand the investment landscape.

Ready to raise and go full-time

You have a team, have completed customer discovery, and are ready to launch with the right funding.

Two pathways, based on your stage and goals.

Choose the one that fits you.

Venture Scientist 100

Perfect for early-stage PhD researchers exploring commercial potential.

We’ll consider exceptional recent PhD graduates, postdocs and early-career researchers. The goal is company formation where appropriate or discovery of the right next step for your research.

Build the foundation of your science venture

Join 700+ community of entrepreneurial scientists

Gain commercial awareness and entrepreneurial skills

Coaching and investment available

Learn more →

Raise

Perfect for venture scientists preparing to raise capital.

The fast track for venture scientists preparing for a raise. Leave ready to approach investors and positioned to close your pre-seed or seed round.

Tailored coaching and strategic support

Access 700+ deeptech investor network

Refine your investment pitch

Angel cheque opportunity for selected teams

Learn more →

From our alumni

Novel AI to detect cyber threats hidden in software binaries.

The programme played an absolutely pivotal role. There wasn't a company when I joined Conception X, it was just myself. Today, RevEng.Al is a team of 18 and has raised £4.7 million from global investors – including Sands Capital, In-Q-Tel, IQ Capital and Episode 1.

James Patrick-Evans

RevEng.ai

CX22

Royal Holloway, University of London

Printing technology enabling biodegradable and customisable flexible electronics.

It's the most complete accelerator I've joined. We had access to domain experts tailored to our needs and built-in peer feedback. Thanks to the skills and knowledge gained with Conception X, we are now preparing for incorporation in Portugal and our first investment round.

Rita Martins

EcoWires

CX25

PhD at

University of Porto

AI-designed enzymes and modular reactors enabling scalable synthesis of high-value natural compounds.

Conception X played an important role in the early days of the company through their support and network. We ended up fundraising whilst completing the programme and secured £1.7 million from VCs and angel investors across Europe and the US.

Amy Locks

Anzen Industries

CX25

Co-founder and CEO

Heat pump optimisation and demand response systems for electricity grids.

Conception X gave us an effective platform to develop from scratch and grow into a startup over nine months. The practical training and mentoring focused on working on our company, not just plotting ideas around.

Rami El Geneidy

Kapacity.io

CX20

PhD at

Loughborough University

Precision antigen discovery platform for next-generation cancer vaccines.

Conception X gave us the framework, contacts, access to funding and resources to move forward. Today we're a team of 38, have raised £27M and are running first-in-human Phase I/Ila clinical trials.

Jonathan Kwok

Infinitopes

CX20

PhD at

University of Oxford

Propulsion systems enabling longer satellite operations closer to Earth.

The team at CX helped us scale as a fast-growing bootstrapped company through invaluable support, international events and investor exposure – including through their Deeptech Demo Day and Slush. We have secured £2.5M+ and are scaling globally through in-orbit demos and customer pilots.

Sara Alão

Stars Edge

CX25

Phd at

Cranfield University

Voice biomarkers for early mental health assessment.

Meeting top scientists who believe they can take their ideas out into the world and start their own companies without compromising on quality was key for me. What's also unique about Conception X is the flexibility you get – you're never pushed to commit more than you can, and that's invaluable.

Julianna Oláh

Psyrin

CX22

Phd at

King's College London