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Deeptech Enterprise Fellowships – Accelerator for Spinouts and Startups (UK, Ireland)

Deadline: 16-Feb-2026

The Deeptech Enterprise Fellowships Programme empowers UK and Irish university researchers and recent graduates to become successful technology entrepreneurs. Fellows receive up to £75,000 in funding, 15 days of structured training, personalized coaching, and mentoring to develop spinouts or startups based on protectable technology innovations. The programme focuses on business modelling, finance, strategy, marketing, and network building, with lifetime access to a community of entrepreneurs and investors.

Programme Overview

The Deeptech Enterprise Fellowships aim to equip university researchers and recent graduates with the skills, confidence, and expertise required to launch and lead technology startups or spinouts.

Key programme goals include:

  • Leadership and operations training for startup founders

  • Guidance on business modelling, value proposition, and strategy

  • Skills development in marketing, sales, and customer acquisition

  • Understanding finance, funding sources, and investor engagement

  • Building strong networks with peers, corporates, experts, and investors

Fellowship Funding and Benefits

  • Grant: Up to £75,000 for 12 months to focus entirely on startup development

  • Structured training: 15 days (approx. 105 hours) of interactive workshops over 6 months

  • Coaching and mentoring:

    • One-to-one business coaching for 6 months

    • Mentoring from leading technology entrepreneurs for 12 months

  • Enterprise Hub membership: Lifetime access to a network of entrepreneurs, corporates, experts, and investors

  • Startup development support: Funding and structured programme designed for lab-validated, protectable technology

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

  • Affiliation: Researchers or graduates from a UK or Irish university or Public Sector Research Establishment (PSRE)

  • Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience

    • PhD students must have completed their viva before the fellowship start

  • Commercial intention: Must aim to lead a spinout or startup as CEO or COO

  • Technology requirement: Must have a protectable engineering or technology innovation validated in a lab or relevant environment

  • Equity requirement: Host institution should not retain more than 50% equity unless additional private investment beyond standard funding is secured

Who is Eligible?

  • University researchers from PhD students to professors

  • Recent graduates aiming to develop a spinout or startup

  • Applicants who have decided to pursue commercialisation, not just exploring options

How the Programme Works

  1. Application and selection: Applicants demonstrate eligibility and readiness to commercialize a protectable technology

  2. Grant allocation: Up to £75,000 awarded for 12 months to focus entirely on the startup

  3. Training schedule:

    • 15 days of workshops over 6 months (approx. 105 hours)

    • Topics: business strategy, marketing, sales, finance, operations, investor engagement

  4. Coaching and mentoring:

    • 6 months of one-to-one business coaching

    • 12 months of mentoring from experienced technology entrepreneurs

  5. Network integration: Graduates join the Enterprise Hub for ongoing support and networking opportunities

Benefits of the Programme

  • Access to funding and structured support for spinout development

  • Tailored training in key entrepreneurial skills

  • Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs

  • Networking opportunities with investors, corporates, and peers

  • Lifetime access to the Enterprise Hub community

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without a protectable or validated technology

  • Not demonstrating clear commercialisation intent or leadership commitment

  • Host institution retaining over 50% equity without additional private investment

  • PhD students applying before completing their viva

  • Submitting applications without clear spinout plans

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply?

UK and Irish university researchers, PSRE affiliates, and recent graduates with protectable technology and commercialisation intent.

2. What funding is provided?

Up to £75,000 for 12 months, including support for startup development.

3. What training is included?

15 days of structured workshops (105 hours) over 6 months covering strategy, marketing, sales, finance, and leadership.

4. Is mentorship included?

Yes. Fellows receive 6 months of business coaching and 12 months of mentoring from technology entrepreneurs.

5. Are PhD students eligible?

Yes, but only if they have completed their viva before the fellowship start.

6. Can the host institution retain equity?

Yes, but not exceeding 50%, unless additional private investment is demonstrated.

7. What type of technology is eligible?

Protectable engineering or technology innovations validated in a lab or relevant environment.

Conclusion

The Deeptech Enterprise Fellowships Programme provides a comprehensive pathway for researchers and graduates to launch spinouts and startups, combining funding, training, mentorship, and networking.

By the end of the programme, fellows are equipped with entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and connections necessary to lead technology ventures, turning innovative research into market-ready solutions.

For more information, visit Royal Academy of Engineering.