Advanced Connectivity Technologies Academic Startup Accelerator Programme (UK)

Deadline: 28-Jul-2026

The Advanced Connectivity Technologies Academic Startup Accelerator Programme (ACTASAP), supported by Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation, helps UK academic researchers commercialize innovative Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) solutions. The 11-month accelerator provides up to £32,000 in fully funded support for projects focused on next-generation connectivity, wireless communications, AI-driven network technologies, spectrum optimization, and related innovations emerging from UK universities and research institutions.

Overview

The Advanced Connectivity Technologies Academic Startup Accelerator Programme (ACTASAP) is designed to help researchers transform promising Advanced Connectivity Technologies research into commercially viable innovations.

The program supports academic teams in exploring market opportunities, validating commercial potential, refining value propositions, and preparing technologies for future commercialization pathways.

ACTASAP bridges the gap between research and industry by enabling researchers to assess the market relevance of their technologies before pursuing startup creation, licensing opportunities, or further investment.

Focus Areas

The competition supports innovations in Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT), including:

• Next-generation wireless networks.
• Advanced telecommunications systems.
• Energy-efficient connectivity technologies.
• Spectrum optimization.
• Wireless sensing technologies.
• Communication and sensing integration.
• Advanced radio frequency (RF) solutions.
• Resilient network infrastructure.
• Antenna technologies.
• Massive MIMO technologies.
• AI-driven network design.
• AI-enabled RF design.
• Future communication systems.
• Intelligent connectivity platforms.
• Network performance optimization.
• Emerging wireless technologies.
• Digital communications innovation.
• Connectivity infrastructure solutions.

Other innovative technologies that fall within the Advanced Connectivity Technologies domain may also be eligible.

Program Objectives

The ACTASAP program aims to:

• Accelerate commercialization of university research.
• Support technology validation.
• Strengthen innovation pathways.
• Develop market-ready connectivity solutions.
• Encourage academic entrepreneurship.
• Promote industry engagement.
• Advance next-generation communications technologies.
• Build future technology startups.
• Strengthen the UK innovation ecosystem.
• Increase economic impact from academic research.

The program focuses on helping researchers evaluate both the technical and commercial potential of their innovations.

What Are Advanced Connectivity Technologies?

Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) are technologies that improve how devices, systems, networks, and users connect, communicate, and exchange information.

Examples include:

• 5G and future-generation wireless networks.
• Wireless communications systems.
• Intelligent networking solutions.
• Spectrum management technologies.
• Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.
• RF engineering innovations.
• Antenna technologies.
• Network optimization systems.
• AI-powered communication platforms.
• Smart infrastructure connectivity.

These technologies play a critical role in digital transformation, industrial automation, smart cities, defense, healthcare, transportation, and telecommunications.

Program Structure

ACTASAP operates over an 11-month period and includes two key phases focused on commercialization planning and market validation.

Phase 1: Value Proposition Development

The first stage focuses on:

• Understanding customer needs.
• Defining market opportunities.
• Identifying commercial applications.
• Developing value propositions.
• Exploring commercialization pathways.
• Evaluating competitive advantages.

This phase helps researchers determine how their technology solves real-world problems.

Phase 2: Market Validation

Teams selected to progress will undertake:

• Customer discovery activities.
• Market testing.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Commercial feasibility assessments.
• Validation of business opportunities.
• Refinement of commercialization strategies.

At the conclusion of this stage, teams present their findings to an independent judging panel.

Funding Information

Funding Amount

Projects must have total eligible costs between:

• Minimum: £5,000.
• Maximum: £32,000.

Phase Funding Limits

Funding is divided across the two phases:

• Up to £16,000 for Phase 1.
• Up to £16,000 for Phase 2.

Funding Rate

• 100% of eligible project costs are funded.

Applicants are not required to provide match funding.

Eligible Costs

Funding may be used for:

Academic Salaries

Support is available for:

• Participating academic researchers.
• Principal investigators.
• Project team members involved in program activities.

Travel and Subsistence

Funding may cover:

• Travel expenses.
• Accommodation costs.
• Subsistence costs.
• Attendance at ACTASAP program events.

These costs must be directly related to participation in the accelerator.

Ineligible Costs

Funding cannot be used for:

• Activities outside approved project scopes.
• Commercial development activities beyond program requirements.
• Unapproved expenditure categories.
• Costs not directly related to program participation.

Applicants should carefully review competition guidance before preparing budgets.

Project Timeline

Key dates include:

• Project start date: 1 October 2026.
• Project end date: 31 January 2027.

The structured timeline enables teams to rapidly test and validate commercial opportunities.

Who is Eligible?

The competition is open to researchers and academic teams based at eligible UK institutions.

Applicants must satisfy all program requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be based at a UK-registered academic institution.
• Have an Advanced Connectivity Technologies-related innovation.
• Demonstrate interest in commercializing their research.
• Obtain support from their institution’s technology transfer office (TTO) or equivalent.
• Conduct funded activities within the United Kingdom.
• Intend to exploit project outcomes in the UK.
• Spend the majority of project funding within the UK.

Both individual and collaborative applications are eligible.

Collaborative Project Requirements

Collaborative applications must:

• Include at least one additional UK-registered academic institution.
• Clearly explain the rationale for collaboration.
• Demonstrate complementary expertise and capabilities.
• Support the commercialization objectives of the project.

Strong collaborative proposals should show how the partnership increases project impact.

Technology Transfer Office Support

Applicants must secure support from:

• Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs).
• Commercialization offices.
• Innovation offices.
• Equivalent institutional support structures.

This requirement helps ensure projects have access to commercialization expertise and intellectual property guidance.

International Participation

Non-funded partners may participate from:

• The United Kingdom.
• Overseas institutions.
• International research organizations.

However:

• They must use their own resources.
• They cannot receive ACTASAP funding.

This allows projects to benefit from global expertise while maintaining UK-focused funding objectives.

Restrictions and Ineligible Projects

The competition will not support:

• Projects unrelated to Advanced Connectivity Technologies.
• Innovations originating outside UK academic institutions.
• Projects that duplicate previously completed CyberASAP projects.
• Activities prohibited under subsidy control or state aid regulations.
• Projects that create selective commercial or economic advantage from funded outputs.

Applicants must comply fully with competition rules and funding requirements.

Subcontracting Rules

Subcontractors are not permitted under the program.

All funded project activities must be undertaken directly by the participating academic institutions and project teams.

Why This Program Matters

Many breakthrough connectivity technologies originate within universities but struggle to reach commercial markets. ACTASAP helps bridge this gap by providing researchers with structured support, funding, and market validation opportunities.

The program contributes to:

• Commercialization of cutting-edge research.
• Growth of UK technology startups.
• Advancement of wireless and communications innovation.
• Development of future digital infrastructure.
• Strengthening of the UK innovation ecosystem.
• Increased economic impact from publicly funded research.

By supporting early-stage commercialization activities, ACTASAP helps ensure that promising research can generate real-world benefits.

How to Apply

Step 1: Assess Technology Readiness

Confirm that your innovation falls within the Advanced Connectivity Technologies domain and has commercialization potential.

Step 2: Secure Institutional Support

Obtain support from your university’s Technology Transfer Office or equivalent commercialization team.

Step 3: Build Your Team

Determine whether you will apply individually or as part of a collaborative academic partnership.

Step 4: Define Commercial Potential

Develop a clear understanding of:

• Target markets.
• Customer needs.
• Value proposition.
• Commercial applications.

Step 5: Prepare Project Budget

Ensure eligible costs fall between:

• £5,000 and £32,000.

Include only approved expenditure categories.

Step 6: Submit Application

Complete the application according to competition requirements and demonstrate alignment with ACTASAP objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing technologies outside the ACT scope.
• Failing to secure Technology Transfer Office support.
• Including ineligible project costs.
• Submitting projects without commercialization potential.
• Providing weak market validation plans.
• Failing to justify collaborative partnerships.
• Including subcontractors in project delivery.
• Not demonstrating UK economic benefit.
• Proposing duplicate projects based on previously completed CyberASAP activities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is ACTASAP?

ACTASAP is an accelerator program that supports UK academic researchers in commercializing Advanced Connectivity Technologies innovations through structured market validation and commercialization activities.

Who can apply?

Researchers based at UK-registered academic institutions with ACT-related innovations and institutional commercialization support.

How much funding is available?

Projects can receive between £5,000 and £32,000, with funding covering 100% of eligible project costs.

What types of technologies are eligible?

Eligible technologies include wireless communications, spectrum optimization, RF technologies, antenna innovations, MIMO systems, AI-driven network design, resilient networking solutions, and related Advanced Connectivity Technologies.

Are collaborative projects allowed?

Yes. Collaborative applications are eligible if they include at least one additional UK-registered academic institution and provide a clear rationale for partnership.

Can international partners participate?

Yes. International partners may participate using their own resources but cannot receive ACTASAP funding.

Are subcontractors permitted?

No. Subcontractors are not allowed under the competition rules.

Conclusion

The Advanced Connectivity Technologies Academic Startup Accelerator Programme (ACTASAP) provides a valuable commercialization pathway for researchers developing next-generation connectivity technologies within UK academic institutions. Through fully funded support of up to £32,000, structured market validation activities, and commercialization guidance, the program helps bridge the gap between research innovation and real-world impact. By supporting innovations in wireless communications, AI-driven networking, RF technologies, and advanced connectivity systems, ACTASAP contributes to the growth of the UK’s future technology and telecommunications ecosystem.

For more information, visit GOV.UK.