How developed does my technology or idea need to be to be eligible to take part in the Programme?

The idea or technology you apply with should be in its very early or early stages – but what does that mean?

The stage of your technology will be assessed against the UKRI’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework. We are open to founders or companies with technologies ranging from TRL 1 up to TRL 5-6, with preference given to those at the low to middle end of that range. Successful candidates will be eligible to apply for feasibility funding at the end of the Accelerator for their technology. We are open to accepting founders looking to develop a new engineering biology idea, even if they already have more developed technology in another area.

Are accommodations available for participants with specific accessibility needs?

Yes. There is a comments box as part of the expression of interest application form where you can make us aware of any specific accessibility considerations or personal circumstances that you may need support with. Large parts of the Accelerator can be attended remotely and where they are on site, the building has step-free access throughout.

We are fully committed to ensuring that the Accelerator Programme is accessible. Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.

Is the Accelerator open to non-UK applicants?

To be eligible to participate in the Programme you must have a legal right to work in the UK, and be residing in the UK for the duration of the Programme. A key expectation of the Accelerator is that you will have a UK-registered engineering biology start-up by the end of the Programme; this is essential to be eligible for further support from UKRI. You will be asked to confirm your right to work in the UK when you submit an application. If accepted on to the Programme, you will need to provide proof of your right-to-work with original documents. If you cannot meet these criteria, you will not be eligible to participate in the Programme.

Do I need to be based in Bristol during the Accelerator Programme?

Participants should be based in the UK for the duration of the Programme. All participants must attend 2 in-person bootcamps (in Bristol): 5 days during the first week of the Accelerator, and 3 days during week 6.

Candidates will be required to participate in hybrid fortnightly (weeks 3, 5, 7 and 9) pitch standup days. We strongly encourage candidates to attend these days in-person, though a remote option is available for those who cannot be in Bristol.

Candidates will be reimbursed for any travel expenses to in-person Accelerator activities in Bristol, and local hotel accommodation will be provided where overnight stays are required.

We encourage participants to work in person at our Old Market site in Bristol for the remainder of the Programme (hotdesking space provided), but we appreciate that this will not be possible for everyone. If you intend to work remotely, please be aware that all timings will be in GMT and you are expected to participate on a full-time basis. A stable internet connection and good working environment will be essential to participate remotely.

How long does the Accelerator Programme last?

The Programme duration is 9 weeks, starting with a week-long bootcamp followed by 8 weeks of acceleration.

What is expected from participants during the Programme?

Successful applicants will be required to participate in the Accelerator Programme on a full time basis. Participants are expected to be fully committed to the Programme and its activities, attend workshops and training sessions, work on their business/project development, and collaborate with mentors and fellow participants.

By the end of the Programme, candidates are expected to have a UK-registered company and be in a position to apply for follow-on funding from UKRI.

Given the competitive nature of this Accelerator Programme and the significant opportunity provided to candidates, we reserve the right to remove candidates from the Accelerator Programme if at any point it is clear that they are not committed to these expectations.

Are there any intellectual property (IP) considerations or protections during the Programme?

The responsibility for identifying and protecting IP remains with Programme participants, for example IP relating to engineering biology or any other scientific technology or business process. We recommend that applicants take time to identify any ‘background IP’ (ie IP developed by applicants prior to enrolment onto the Accelerator Programme) so that they can be clear on what has been developed and when. Ownership of ‘Foreground IP’ (ie IP developed during participation in the Accelerator Programme) will be determined by the contribution made by Programme participants to the IP and by agreement between the participants.

We expect program participants to deal with each other openly and honestly, and so if IP is developed jointly by multiple Programme participants, we expect the participants to come to a fair agreement on ownership reflecting the contributions of each inventor.

We retain the rights to any processes, know-how, trade marks or any other intellectual property generated by us and our delivery partners related to tuition, evaluation and the operation of our Accelerator Programme.

There are a number of specific questions related to IP included within the expression of interest related to IP and we encourage you to read them carefully before submitting your application.

You can download the question list here if you would like to read them in advance.

Will the Accelerator Programme provide access to investors, funding or networking opportunities?

The Programme is supported by a number of internationally renowned VC partners who will provide investor insights and training as part of the Accelerator.

The Programme aims to connect participants with potential investors and funding opportunities, including an investor demo day after the Accelerator and introductions to investor networks. The timing of the demo day will be reactive to the needs of those applicants on the Programme and likely to happen after the feasibility funding round is complete.

Networking events will be held throughout the Programme, allowing the cohort to connect with Science Creates’ members and partners.

What kind of support and mentorship will be available during the Programme?

Participants will receive support and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and investors throughout the Accelerator.

The majority of core support will be provided by our Programme team and delivery partners.

Successful candidates will attend a short meeting with the Programme team prior to the Accelerator starting. As each project is likely to vary significantly in terms of its thematic focus and technological requirements our aim is to identify what each candidate needs before making any match-making with either mentors or co-founders.

Are there any follow-up obligations or commitments after the Programme ends?

Our expectation is that all successful candidates are motivated and are in a position to launch and run a company by the end of the Programme.

One of the key expectations from UKRI is that candidates with companies are expected to apply for further feasibility funding at the end of the Accelerator Programme.

To be eligible, they must have a UK-registered company by the end of the Accelerator.

If you already have a UK-registered company and would like to apply please note, the as the feasibility funding round is subject to Minimum Financial Assistance rules, companies that apply must not have received more than the upper financial limit in place for their region, which differs depending on if you are in Mainland GB or Northern Ireland - please see the application for more details.

There may also be requests in the future from either us, UKRI or our delivery partners for update data on your progress post Accelerator.

Can I apply to multiple accelerator programmes simultaneously?

Our Programme is a full-time accelerator programme, so while you are welcome to apply and potentially be able to take part in both, this would require a conversation with our Accelerator team if there is likely to be any overlap in terms of your time requirements or a conflict of interest between both accelerators. We are happy to be flexible where we can.

Can I apply for the Accelerator Programme if I have previously participated in another accelerator?

Yes you can, as part of the application process we ask you which you have been on and what you have learned. It’s helpful for us to know so that we don’t duplicate training you may have also received.

What is the selection process for the Accelerator Programme?

The selection process involves an expression of interest, a full application, and a remote interview. Details of the selection criteria and steps can be found throughout the application process and by downloading the application questions that are specific to your application type (applying with / without a company).

Can I participate in the Accelerator Programme while still working a full-time job?

Our Programme is intense and will require your commitment on a full-time basis throughout. For this reason, we provide a small stipend for your time.

The ultimate goal of the Accelerator Programme is for participants to have launched an engineering biology company by the latter part of the Accelerator and submitted an application to UKRI for further feasibility funding.

If that doesn’t sound like what you want to do, we would recommend you consider applying to join our network instead.

We would discuss any complexities related to this as part of a full application / interview.

Are there any specific technical or industry focus areas for the Accelerator Programme?

Yes.

This Accelerator Programme is exclusively for companies or individuals developing technologies based on engineering biology as defined by UKRI: The application of rigorous engineering principles to the design of biological systems.

It’s important to highlight that the term engineering biology is not “engineering” + “biology” and it is expected in some way to contain elements of synthetic biology.

There are 4 key technological areas of interest: Food Systems, Biomedicine, Clean Growth and Environmental Solutions.

Only those applicants who’s technologies are within this scope will be considered for invite to submit a full application.

Can I apply as a team if we have multiple co-founders?

Places on the Accelerator Programme will be awarded to individuals, not teams.

Only one person per founding team / company will be accepted onto the Programme. If you are part of an existing team we recommend you discuss who would be the most candidate for the Accelerator, prior to that person submitting an application.

However, we will look to provide support to the team where possible.

We would discuss any complexities related to this as part of a full application / phone interview.

Will the Accelerator Programme provide office space or coworking facilities?

Yes, we have a dedicated 9-person office space for the length of the Programme. There are spaces for up to 24 candidates in the cohort, we do not expect them all to be located in Bristol and there is ample hot-desking space available as well at our Old Market facility.

What happens if I need to withdraw or cannot complete the Programme?

This would be on a case-by-case basis and we would try our best to support you through the Programme. We don’t make any claim to the IP during the Programme or any ownership of companies formed, so you are free to do as you choose.

Will accommodation, travel and living costs be provided by the Programme?

The Programme comes with a small stipend for participants to help support their living costs. Participants are only required to be based in Bristol during the weeks 1 and 6 of the Programme and may choose to work either in-person or remotely (in the UK) for the remainder. Candidates will be reimbursed for Accelerator-related travel to Bristol and nearby hotel accommodation will be provided whenever overnight stays are required.