CX Raise | Investment Readiness for Deep Tech Founders

What to expect

Raise offers personalised support for science teams to position their venture credibly in front of investors.

Up to £300k for top teams

Exclusive opportunity to pitch to the Conception X Angel Syndicate and our partner XTX Ventures in June 2027.

Access up to £300k in funding by the end of the programme through our preferential pathway for Conception X founders.

Tailored expert coaching

Work through your fundraise 1:1 with experienced coaches who have built and backed science companies before.

From structuring your data room to developing your pitch, financials and business model, get hands-on guidance aligned to your sector and needs.

Narrative & pitch development

Learn what investors look for in a pitch deck, with actionable insights from years of working with early-stage founders.

Build a compelling, defensible investment case for your technology – through a combination of expert and peer feedback.

Fundraising strategy

Hit key milestones to prepare for pre-seed – from customer validation to proof of early traction and a clear tech roadmap.

Includes ongoing guidance, regular check-ins to ensure steady progress and readiness ahead of investor conversations and the Conception X Investment Committee in June 2027.

Direct access to investors

Get personal introductions to our 700+ investor network when you’re ready.

We connect you with deeptech VCs and angels most relevant to your technology and stage.

Optional co-building sessions

Choose from 18 expert-led co-building workshops to strengthen the foundations of your company.

They cover: Customer discovery, Business model design, IP strategy for scientists, Hardware prototyping, Team building, Deeptech financials, and more

Legal support available

Access to top-tier legal expertise through our partner Orrick – from term sheets to fundraise structure and IP guidance.

Our extended alumni and university network can also help you navigate commercialisation decisions faster.

Up to £300k for top teams

Exclusive opportunity to pitch to the Conception X Angel Syndicate and our partner XTX Ventures in June 2027.

Access up to £300k in funding by the end of the programme through our preferential pathway for Conception X founders.

Tailored expert coaching

Work through your fundraise 1:1 with experienced coaches who have built and backed science companies before.

From structuring your data room to developing your pitch, financials and business model, get hands-on guidance aligned to your sector and needs.

Narrative & pitch development

Learn what investors look for in a pitch deck, with actionable insights from years of working with early-stage founders.

Build a compelling, defensible investment case for your technology – through a combination of expert and peer feedback.

Fundraising strategy

Hit key milestones to prepare for pre-seed – from customer validation to proof of early traction and a clear tech roadmap.

Includes ongoing guidance, regular check-ins to ensure steady progress and readiness ahead of investor conversations and the Conception X Investment Committee in June 2027.

Direct access to investors

Get personal introductions to our 700+ investor network when you’re ready.

We connect you with deeptech VCs and angels most relevant to your technology and stage.

Optional co-building sessions

Choose from 18 expert-led co-building workshops to strengthen the foundations of your company.

They cover: Customer discovery, Business model design, IP strategy for scientists, Hardware prototyping, Team building, Deeptech financials, and more

Legal support available

Access to top-tier legal expertise through our partner Orrick – from term sheets to fundraise structure and IP guidance.

Our extended alumni and university network can also help you navigate commercialisation decisions faster.

Is Raise right for you?

Built for founders ready to move fast

—

You're a PhD, postdoc or early-career researcher

Currently or recently in academia

—

Your company is incorporated

Or will be by March 2027

—

Your tech has moved beyond basic research

Working MVP, clear IP strategy or patents filed

—

You know what you’re building

Clear product vision and early market hypotheses

—

You’re ready to commit and raise

Full-time team commitment and can raise within 6-12 months

How it works

Three phases, tailored to you

Stage 1

Foundations

Refine the core of your company – financials, business model, IP and everything investors expect to see.

Stage 2

Translation

Define your customer, business model and team, and leverage our network for your next steps.

Stage 3

Launch

Prepare your narrative, meet investors and partners. The top 15 teams pitch at Demo Day.

Does this all feel too soon?

Venture Scientist 100 might be better for you.

Explore VS100 →

We've helped them raise

From investing at the earliest-stage through our angel syndicate to opening the right door, here's how we work with founders – and what they say about us.

DNA nanotechnology platform for ultra-sensitive molecular detection.

You need to get comfortable being uncomfortable, but you'll come out better as a result. In 12 months, I went from a team of one to six people and raised £500k pre- seed. Listen to everything they say and put every word into practice - it works.

Dr. Dan Todd

InvenireX

CX23

Phd at

Newcastle University

Physics-informed AI platform for thermoelectric materials discovery.

The Conception X team offered invaluable advice in our earliest days of building, and opened doors to their strong VC network, including XTX Ventures, who invested £100k at idea stage and changed our path.

Gatleen Bhambra

Mater-AI

CX24

Co-founder and CEO

Automated software optimisation for faster, lower-cost computing.

Before the programme, we weren't funded; after, we were – one can draw their own conclusions from that.

Leslie Kanthan

TurinTech

CX19

PhD at

University College London

Quantum machine learning for chemical simulation and molecular discovery.

The Conception X team has helped us massively to recruit the right people, build our network and get access to early funding – the first £1.3 million from Balderton Capital.

Leonard Wossnig

Rahko

CX18

PhD at

University College London

Quick Answers

How is Raise different from VS100?

CX Raise is a faster-paced, investment-focused track designed to get your company ready to receive funding within 10 weeks. It's for more advanced early-stage startups that have moved beyond basic research and are ready to commit full-time.

Is there a cost?

The programme is free. Any investment offered as part of Raise is subject to separate terms, which you'll be able to review before starting. Get in touch if you have more questions on this before applying.

How much time will I need?

Expect at least 30 hours over 10 weeks for coaching, pitch training and workshops. You may spend extra time meeting with mentors or experts as opportunities arise.

Do I need to attend in person?

We have a hybrid model, and you'll be expected to join all in-person sessions and events that we have planned for you. We're happy to support with travel – reach out to our team for more information.

Do I need a team?

No team required – exceptional solo founders are welcome.

Does everyone on the team need to take part?

No – just one person from the team needs to attend.

Does it matter where I’m based?

Raise is open to PhDs, postdocs and researchers from any UK or European university. You'll need to travel to London for in-person events and sessions.

Can I apply without a company?

You’ll need to have a company set up before the programme begins – we can only connect incorporated companies to investment opportunities. If you're not there yet, VS100 might be more suitable for you at this stage.

How developed should my company be?

We're looking for early-stage companies, but you should be ready to move fast. For Raise, we select founders and teams who are serious about building a company full-time.

What TRL level does my technology need to be?

We accept varying TRL levels, typically TRL 4-TRL 6.

I've raised before – can I still apply?

Yes, but note investment terms for the Conception X Angel Syndicate and our partner XTX Ventures are non-negotiable and designed for early-stage companies. You can tell us more about your specific situation here.

Can I apply as a not-for-profit or social enterprise?

Raise isn't suitable for not-for-profits or social enterprises, but VS100 might be.

How do you invest in companies?

We’re a not-for-profit and don't invest directly. On Raise, you could have the opportunity to pitch to the Conception X Angel Syndicate and our partner XTX Ventures for up to £300K in equity investment.

What additional support do I get?

You get:

Access to select co-building sessions – from IP and business models to customers, finance and pitching – if relevant to your journey
Build alongside Europe’s largest community of science founders – so you’re never having to figure it out on your own
Access to a curated network of 100+ experts across industry – there to help you test ideas, open doors and move faster
Dedicated legal advice when you need it – through our partner law firm Orrick, with a proven track record advising some of the world’s most innovative companies across Silicon Valley and Europe's tech ecosystem.
Introductions to key industry decision-makers via our Industry Advisory Board (e.g. NVIDIA, Unilever, XTX Markets)
Credits for valuable business and technology resources to support your growth
Access to co-working spaces (subject to availability)
Continued support and guidance from the Conception X team beyond Raise