The Conception X Angel Syndicate, a handpicked group of leading scientists and engineers – including exited deeptech founders and alumni of Google and DeepMind – ready to back the best deeptech teams across the UK and Europe earlier than anyone else.
The goal is to make sure that when a breakthrough is ready to leave the lab, founders in academia can access immediate proof-of-concept funding to get started – whether that means filing a patent, buying essential hardware, building a prototype, or preparing to spin out.
We believe that it shouldn’t matter where they’re located, how old they are, which university they’re at or whether they’re already in a position to pursue their company full time.
We’ve noticed that most VCs aren’t ready to step in at this stage, and grants take too long.
Our model is built on eight years of experience working with more than 500 technical founders from 70+ universities.
While we’re best known as the nonprofit behind Europe’s largest cross-university deeptech venture programme for PhD students, this new opportunity is open to science founders from all backgrounds — they don't have to be PhDs or join our programme.
Interested founders can apply via this link by 27 May – and they’ll hear by 9 June if shortlisted.
We are looking for scientists building solutions that could change the lives of millions, regenerate the environment and reach new frontiers of knowledge.
A little more about Conception X
We’re on a mission to turn more scientists into founders, accelerate scientific breakthroughs and build new career pathways for researchers. Our founder and CEO Riam Kanso is a Neuroscience PhD turned founder.
Since launching in 2018, we have recruited eight cohorts from 70+ universities across 11 countries, built 150 deeptech companies, and had two exits – quantum drug discovery company Rahko and energy optimisation startup Kapacity.io – with a third to be announced soon. Our startups have developed anything from vaccines for cancer metastasis to living building materials that absorb carbon, and our portfolio is valued at £500 million.
| Application Deadline |
27/05/2025 |
| Application required? |
Apply Here |
