A pre-accelerator programme is currently seeking applications from early-stage founders based in Northern England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. This initiative is designed to support entrepreneurs with innovative engineering or technology-based solutions. The application period is now open, with a submission deadline of Tuesday, 14 April.
Applicant Criteria
• Residency: Applicants must be residents of Northern Ireland, Wales, or northern England (specifically the North East, North West, or Yorkshire and Humber regions) and be able to attend training sessions within these locations. Applications from the Midlands, the South of England, or Scotland will not be accepted.
• Technical Expertise: A strong technical understanding in the area of the proposed innovation is required.
• UK Work Rights: Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK and be based in the UK on a full-time basis.
• Professional Experience: Candidates should typically be experienced engineers or technology professionals with at least five years of professional experience in a relevant environment with technical responsibilities. Individuals with less than five years of technical experience may be eligible if they have five years of experience within their innovation's field and a technical co-founder on their team. Subcontractors are not permissible.
• Time Commitment: A full-time commitment to the programme is required starting from September.
• Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Employment Status: Successful applicants cannot be engaged in full-time study or employment during the programme.
• Prior Experience: Previous experience in commercialisation or enterprise is not a prerequisite.
• Ineligibility: Recent university graduates (first degree obtained since 1 January 2021) and university spinouts are not eligible for this programme and are advised to apply to the Enterprise Fellowships programme instead.
Innovation Criteria
• Innovation Type: The proposal must be an innovative engineering or technology-based solution to an identified problem or market need, which the applicant has been involved in developing.
• Development Stage: The innovation should be beyond the invention stage (Technology Readiness Level 2 or higher), with a practical application identified and the concept formulated. Projects that have already developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) are likely too advanced.
• Scalability: The startup must demonstrate the potential to be self-sustaining and scalable.
• Market Presence: If a business has been registered, the innovation should not be commercially available, other than as a prototype with limited sales.
• Regional Commitment: Applicants must be committed to establishing their new startup within the region where they are applying to participate.
• Funding Status: The venture should not have raised substantial amounts of funding, as this would indicate it is too advanced for the programme.
• Business Model Exclusions: Applications aiming to start a consultancy business will not be accepted.
• Technology Exclusions: Ideas for mobile apps, websites, or pure software-based creations are not accepted unless they are underpinned by a protectable, innovative technology such as AI or machine learning that the applicant is directly involved in developing.
Application Guidelines
• Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted by Tuesday, 14 April.
• Applicant Limit: Only one person is permitted per application.
• Submission Limit: Each individual may submit only one application.
• Applicant Type: The programme accepts applications from individuals only.
• Re-application Policy: Applicants may re-apply with the same innovation only once.
Founders and innovators who meet the specified criteria are encouraged to review the programme details thoroughly. This opportunity is tailored for early-stage development, and interested parties should ensure their submissions are completed before the stated deadline.