About this programme
Conception X is a not-for-profit venture-building platform for PhD researchers, built to turn academic research into deep tech companies. It runs a distributed incubation model: researchers build their venture alongside their PhD rather than leaving academia to do it, drawing on a partner network of 90+ universities across 11 countries.
The flagship programme is Venture Scientist 100 (VS100), a 9-month venture-building fellowship for roughly 100 PhD founders a year. Conception X also runs Raise, a shorter, later-stage investment-readiness programme for founders whose venture already has traction and is preparing to fundraise.
The organisation states that with its support, 34% of participating researchers go on to start companies, against a 1.7% baseline for researchers without that support. Its advisory network includes NVIDIA, AstraZeneca, GSK, Unilever, EDF Energy, XTX Markets, Barclays, Coca-Cola Europacific Ventures, Schott and IBM.
Conception X takes no equity and charges no fees for either programme; it positions itself as merit-based support rather than an accelerator that trades funding for a stake.
How it works
Venture Scientist 100 runs for 9 months, timed to run alongside the PhD (roughly March to November). It is structured in three phases: Explore (test research applications, run customer discovery, assess markets), Test (define customer segments, refine the business model, build the founding team), and Launch (develop the investment narrative, with the top 15 teams pitching at Demo Day).
The time commitment is around 65 hours across the 9 months: about 40 hours in 18 expert-led co-building sessions covering customer discovery, business model design, deeptech IP strategy, hardware prototyping, team building and fundraising, plus workshops and 3 mandatory in-person events (including a 2-day London bootcamp). Top-performing teams get up to 6 months of additional 1:1 and group coaching and pitch training.
All participants get access to a network of 1,500+ science founders, investors, mentors and industry decision-makers, legal support from partner law firm Orrick on term sheets and IP guidance, co-working space (subject to availability), and continued post-programme support from the Conception X team.
Top-performing teams can pitch at Demo Day to 200+ early-stage deeptech investors, with up to £300,000 in equity investment available through partner XTX Ventures and the Conception X angel syndicate. Fundraising support is optional, not a requirement of completing the programme.
Raise is a separate, later-stage track: a 10-week investment-readiness programme (about 30 hours minimum) for founders whose company is incorporated (or will be by March 2027), has technology beyond basic research (working MVP, clear IP, or filed patents), and is aiming to raise within 6-12 months. It runs to the same £300k Angel Syndicate / XTX Ventures pitch opportunity in June 2027, for up to 15 teams.
Who can apply
Venture Scientist 100 is open to currently enrolled STEM PhD students at a UK or European university, at any stage of their PhD; exceptions are made for recent graduates, postdocs and early-career researchers. Applicants do not need an existing venture to apply and can submit more than one research-derived idea.
Applicants must be working on innovative, breakthrough technology grounded in original research, able to commit roughly 65 hours over the 9 months, and able to participate mostly online while attending the 3 mandatory in-person events (including a 2-day London bootcamp). Solo founders, founding teams, and pre-idea through early-stage ventures are all welcome; non-profit and social-enterprise applicants are also considered, with alternative funding routes explored for them.
Raise is for founders further along: PhD, postdoc or early-career researcher background, currently or recently in academia, an incorporated company (or one that will be incorporated by March 2027), technology at TRL 4-6 with a working MVP, clear IP or filed patents, a full-time team, and an intent to raise within 6-12 months. Raise participants must be based in the UK or Europe and travel to London for in-person sessions.
How to apply
- Register interest via the Airtable-based interest form on conceptionx.org ahead of the formal application window.
- Applications for the September 2026 intake open in September 2026; multiple research-derived ideas can be submitted in one application.
- Attend Conception X community events and info sessions in the run-up to the deadline, where posted.
- For questions not answered on the site, use the contact form at conceptionx.org/contact.
Frequently asked
Does Conception X take equity or charge fees for Venture Scientist 100?
No. Conception X states VS100 is free for researchers and that it takes no equity in the companies it helps create. It positions itself as merit-based support, not an accelerator that trades funding for a stake.
Who can apply to Venture Scientist 100?
Currently enrolled STEM PhD students at a UK or European university, at any stage of their PhD, working on breakthrough research-based technology. Recent graduates, postdocs and early-career researchers are also considered, and you do not need an existing venture to apply.
How much time does the programme take?
Around 65 hours spread across the 9 months: roughly 40 hours in 18 expert-led co-building sessions, plus workshops and 3 mandatory in-person events including a 2-day London bootcamp. It is designed to run alongside your PhD rather than instead of it.
Can I get funding through Conception X?
Top-performing VS100 teams can pitch at Demo Day to 200+ early-stage deeptech investors, with up to £300,000 in equity investment available through partner XTX Ventures and the Conception X angel syndicate. This is not guaranteed and is not a requirement of completing the programme.
What's the difference between Venture Scientist 100 and Raise?
VS100 is the 9-month foundational programme for researchers at any stage, from pre-idea onward. Raise is a shorter, 10-week investment-readiness programme for founders whose company is already incorporated (or will be by March 2027), has a working MVP or filed IP, and is aiming to raise within 6-12 months.
When do applications open?
Applications for the next intake open in September 2026. Interested researchers can register on the Conception X site ahead of the window opening.
Do I need a co-founder or an existing company to apply?
No. Solo founders, founding teams, and pre-idea through early-stage ventures are all eligible for Venture Scientist 100, and you can apply with more than one research-derived idea for consideration.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.