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We launch the next generation of venture scientists
Conception X is building a future where more researchers become founders of exceptional companies.
Key partners
A new kind of founder is emerging.
We discover and back venture scientists.
We believe 2% of scientists will create the most important companies of the next century, but too few today become founders. We work with top academic talent across Europe’s leading research institutions to turn ambitious science into scalable ventures – repeatedly.
Outcomes at scale
A record of deeptech venture creation
700+
Founders launched
205
Startups created
£1B+
Portfolio valuation
15
Countries covered
92
Universities represented
£3M raised to enable RNA-based control systems for gene therapies
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Acquired by EnergyHub to grow virtual power plants
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Acquired by Odyssey Therapeutics to accelerate drug discovery
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$7.9M raised to build the first LLM eval platform, team acquired by Anthropic
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A PROVEN PLATFORM
Venture Scientist 100
The starting point for venture scientists
Since 2018, we’ve helped hundreds of scientists each year find out whether their research has venture potential. 34% of our teams go on to build high-growth companies; others leave knowing, from having tried to build one, whether to continue, pivot or pursue a different path. Both are successful outcomes.
Venture Scientist 100
Our selective fellowship for future science founders. 
9 months. A cohort of ~100 researchers.
For technical PhDs ready to test the founder path.
18 active co-building sessions
Investment and expert coaching for top teams
Europe’s largest peer community
Designed to run alongside the PhD
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beyond our flagship programme
We back Europe’s best academic founders with the right support at the right time, wherever they are – to build, launch and scale deeptech faster.
Raise
10-week investment readiness programme for science teams.
Ecosystem
Curated network to accelerate your next stage of growth – from early pilots to first raises.
Events
Community and discovery moments for emerging founders.
How we define deeptech
Breakthrough research rarely fits inside existing categories.
Our founders build across the expanding frontier of deep tech.
NovelAI
Energy
Future of Computing
Life Sciences
Advanced Materials
Advanced Manufacturing
Robotics
Your research might define the next category.
See how we can help →
What this looks like
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research focus
Turning soil into a continuous power source using naturally occurring microorganisms.
Outcome
Conception X shaped the early foundations of Bactery – from navigating the university spin-out process to communicating the commercial vision behind the technology, building a network and securing its first term sheet shortly after the programme.
Jakub Dziegielowski
Bactery
CX21
,
University of Bath
research focus
Novel algorithms and mathematical frameworks to independently monitor autonomous robots, enabling safe, reliable, human-controlled deployment.
Outcome
Conception X backed RideScan before the technology was validated, accelerating its transition from PhD research into a robotics startup. The company has since secured funding, Innovate UK support, enterprise customers and 400%+ YoY revenue growth.
Dr. Shivoh Chirayil Nandakumar
RIDESCAN
CX23
,
National Robotarium
Heriot-Watt University
research focus
Autonomous laboratories and algorithms to automate chemical research and dramatically compress the timelines of molecular synthesis.
Outcome
Conception X helped the team articulate the value proposition of their technology, prioritise the right early customer segments, and develop their first pricing model and business plan, leading to a $3.4 million pre-seed less than 12 months after launch.
Alexander Pomberger
ReactWise
CX24
,
University of Cambridge
research focus
AI models linking movement patterns from wearable sensors to neurological changes in stroke patients, enabling more accurate detection of deteriorations.
Outcome
We worked with Sigourney to develop the skillset to patent and spin out her PhD research, and later launch a second company whose voice AI agents are already deployed in UK clinics and generating recurring revenue.
Dr Sigourney Waibel
Radiant Science
CX22
,
Brain & Behaviour Lab
Imperial College London
research focus
Graphene-enhanced smart materials and physics-based models for aerospace and energy infrastructure.
Outcome
Over nine months with Conception X, the team behind ARDHANN learnt to operate as founders, incorporating the company, securing grant funding and pre-seed investor commitments, gaining a residency at Manchester’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, and signing its first customer Letter of Intent.
Sangeethsivan Sivakumar
ARDHANN
CX25
,
Robotics and Textile Composites Lab
University of Manchester
Applications open September 2026.
Interested in joining our next cohort and meeting other venture scientists who’ve started this journey before you?
Choose the pathway that fits your stage and goals.
Learn more
Venture Scientist 100
Apply now ↗