Royal Academy of Engineering
Equity-free funding, training and mentoring for engineering and technology startups from the Royal Academy of Engineering's Enterprise Hub, across pre-accelerator, deep tech and scale-up programmes.
Royal Academy of Engineering at a glance
| Address | Prince Philip House, 3 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DG |
|---|---|
| Programmes | 4 standing programmes |
| Stages supported | Growth |
| Fees | Free — all 4 programmes that state a fee policy |
| Equity | None taken — all 4 programmes that state a policy |
| Official website | enterprisehub.raeng.org.uk |
Programs by Royal Academy of Engineering
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Which Royal Academy of Engineering programme fits you
4 programmes compared by who they are for, the stage they accept, how long they run and what they cost.
| Programme | Best for | Stage | Duration | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Talent Engines | Early-stage engineering and technology entrepreneurs in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales | — | 6 months | — | Free, no equity |
| Enterprise FellowshipsWith Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, ERA Foundation | University researchers spinning out of UK universities and research institutes, and recent graduates starting a deep tech startup | — | 12 months | — | Free, no equity |
| Shott Scale Up AcceleratorWith ScaleUp Institute, Ian Shott CBE FREng, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | Founders and C-suite leaders of UK deep tech or engineering SMEs with at least 10 employees | Growth | 9 months | — | Free, no equity |
| Explore | Leaders of IP-rich engineering ventures that are UK-registered and aligned with a round's sector and market | — | 12 weeks | — | Free, no equity |
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at Royal Academy of Engineering, separate from the funding calls above.
Regional Talent Engines
IncubationA 6-month pre-accelerator for early-stage engineering and technology entrepreneurs in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales, with an equity-free grant, mentoring and training.
Best for: Early-stage engineering and technology entrepreneurs in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales
- 6 months
- Free, no equity
- Grant support for selected startups
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Regional Talent Engines is a 6-month pre-accelerator for early-stage engineering and technology entrepreneurs based in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales. You do not need a team, a product or a business plan to apply. You need a promising idea, a problem worth solving and the motivation to test it.
What you get
- An equity-free grant towards living costs
- Expert mentoring and practical training, including workshops, roundtables and speaker events
- One-to-one business coaching and mentoring
- Free, lifetime access to co-working spaces across the UK
Who can apply
- Engineers and innovators with an early-stage idea, from any area of engineering
- People committed to testing and developing their idea
How selection works: Places are awarded through a competitive application process. Applicants have one-to-one pre-interview support with 3 online training sessions, then pitch to an interview panel and take part in a Q&A.
How to apply: Applications are closed. Sign up on the programme page to be told when they reopen.
Enterprise Fellowships
AcceleratorA 12-month deep tech accelerator for spinouts and startups from UK universities and research institutes, or from recent graduates, with grant funding, training, coaching and mentoring.
Best for: University researchers spinning out of UK universities and research institutes, and recent graduates starting a deep tech startup
- 12 months
- Free, no equity
- Grant support for selected startups
With Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, ERA Foundation
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Enterprise Fellowships is the Hub's flagship deep tech accelerator for spinouts and startups. It is for university researchers who want to spin out from UK universities and research institutes, and for recent graduates who want to build a startup. The Hub says the programme gives you the business skills to run a company, learned alongside peers and experts.
What you get
- Grant funding for the first year, so you can focus on the business
- 15 days of workshops over six months, covering leadership, governance and operations, business modelling, marketing, sales and negotiation, and finance and funding sources
- 105 hours of business training and peer learning over the first six months
- Six months of one-to-one business coaching
- 12 months of mentoring from an experienced technology founder
- Lifetime membership of the Enterprise Hub
Who can apply
- Researchers who want to be the CEO of a spinout from a UK university or research institute
- Recent graduates who want to develop a startup
- Applicants with a protectable engineering or technology innovation that has been validated in a lab or a relevant environment
How to apply: Applications are closed. Read the applicant guidance and attend one of the introductory webinars. Sign up on the programme page to hear when the window reopens.
Funders: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 and The ERA Foundation fund the programme.
Shott Scale Up Accelerator
AcceleratorA nine-month programme for founders and senior leaders of UK deep tech and engineering SMEs, focused on the leadership skills needed to scale, with a grant, coaching and a business mentor.
Best for: Founders and C-suite leaders of UK deep tech or engineering SMEs with at least 10 employees
- Growth
- 9 months
- Free, no equity
- Grant support for selected startups
With ScaleUp Institute, Ian Shott CBE FREng, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The Shott Scale Up Accelerator is a nine-month programme for founders and C-suite leaders of UK deep tech and engineering SMEs. It treats individual leadership behaviour as the driver of growth. The programme runs with a small peer cohort, so participants learn alongside other deep tech leaders.
What you get
- A small cohort of deep tech leaders for peer learning
- In-person growth training workshops and one-to-one sessions with experts
- Personalised leadership support and one-to-one coaching
- A business mentor matched from the Academy's network of engineers who have scaled deep tech ventures
- A grant for leadership courses anywhere in the world
- Expanded investor and industry access, and lifetime access to Enterprise Hub spaces and perks
Who can apply
- Founders and C-suite leaders of UK-registered deep tech or engineering SMEs
- Companies with at least 10 employees
- Companies with funding raised or equivalent traction, and evidence of product-market fit
How selection works: Applicants should read the full eligibility criteria and applicant guidelines on the programme page.
How to apply: Applications are closed. Register on the programme page to be notified when they reopen.
Endorsement and funding: The programme is officially endorsed by the ScaleUp Institute and funded by Ian Shott CBE FREng and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Explore
IncubationA 12-week global market incubator for leaders of IP-rich engineering ventures, combining coaching, expert-led sessions and a five-day international mission to one sector and market.
Best for: Leaders of IP-rich engineering ventures that are UK-registered and aligned with a round's sector and market
- 12 weeks
- Free, no equity
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Explore is a 12-week global market incubator for leaders of bold, IP-rich engineering ventures. Each round focuses on one sector and one global market. The programme combines one-to-one coaching, expert-led sessions and a five-day international mission with curated meetings.
What you get
- An in-person induction focused on strategic expansion
- One-to-one coaching from international and UK coaches
- 10 expert-led sessions on capital, talent, market and intellectual property
- A five-day international mission with curated meetings and ecosystem events
- Introductions to the Academy's global network of investors, corporations and Fellows
Who can apply
- Enterprise Hub Members who have completed an Enterprise Hub programme, and who were not still active on any programme at the application deadline
- Leaders in Innovation Fellowships who have completed a programme and have a UK-registered company
- Chairs in Emerging Technologies who are active on the award and have a product or service aligned with the round's theme
- The company must be based in the UK and registered with Companies House
The programme page describes eligibility in two ways. In one place it says the programme is open only to Enterprise Hub Members. In another it says it is offered to Enterprise Hub Members and to specific members of the Hub's extended network.
How to apply: Each round is announced on the programme page with an expression of interest form. Applications are submitted and reviewed through the Hub's grant management system.
Incubation tracks
The routes into Royal Academy of Engineering, and what each one includes.
| Track | Type | Space | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Talent EnginesA pre-accelerator programme for early-stage engineering and technology entrepreneurs based in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales. | Pre-incubation | — | expert mentoring, practical training, funding, co-working spaces, training workshops, roundtables, speaker events, one-to-one business coaching, one-to-one mentoring, community of ambitious founders and innovators |
| Enterprise FellowshipsA deep tech accelerator programme for spinouts and startups, targeting university researchers or recent graduates with a protectable engineering or technology innovation. | Acceleration | — | funding, tailored training, coaching, mentorship from leading engineers, networks of Fellows, investors, and industry leaders, lifetime membership of the Enterprise Hub |
| Shott Scale Up AcceleratorFor founders and C-suite leaders of UK-based deep tech or engineering SMEs with at least 10 employees, who have raised £1m+ funding or equivalent traction, and have evidence of product-market fit. | Acceleration | — | Peer Learning, Growth training, Leadership support, Personalised journey, 1:1 coaching, Business mentor, grant, Expanded investor & industry access, Lifetime access to Enterprise network, spaces, opportunities & perks |
| ExploreAn exclusive 12-week global market incubator for Enterprise Hub Members and specific members of the Hub’s extended network, focusing on leaders of bold, IP-rich engineering ventures interested in market exploration. | Acceleration | — | one-to-one coaching, expert-led sessions, international mission, introductions to the Academy's prestigious global network including investors, corporations, Academy Fellows, expat communities, fellow leaders of bold, IP-rich engineering ventures as well as a tight knit cohort |
Labs & facilities
Equipment and space on campus.
Hub Member co-working spaces
Located in London, Belfast, Glasgow, Swansea, Newcastle, Liverpool and Sheffield
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
News
- Jamshedpur News :Tata Steel, UK Government and Royal Academy of Engineering partner to advance UK–India innovation in circular materialsbiharjharkhandnewsnetwork.com · 3 weeks ago
Source: Google News aggregated
How to apply to Royal Academy of Engineering
Choosing the right programme
- Early-stage idea, no team yet: Regional Talent Engines.
- University researcher or recent graduate with a validated engineering innovation: Enterprise Fellowships.
- Senior leader of a UK deep tech SME with at least 10 employees: Shott Scale Up Accelerator.
- Enterprise Hub Member running an IP-rich engineering venture: Explore, when a round is open.
How applications work
- Regional Talent Engines: one-to-one pre-interview support, then a pitch to an interview panel with a Q&A session.
- Enterprise Fellowships: read the applicant guidance and attend an introductory webinar before applying.
- Check each programme page for the current window before you prepare an application.
About Royal Academy of Engineering
The Royal Academy of Engineering's Enterprise Hub supports engineering and technology entrepreneurs across the UK with funding, training, networking and mentoring. The Academy is a registered charity based at Prince Philip House in London, and the Hub works through regional hubs in London, Belfast, Glasgow, Swansea, Newcastle, Liverpool and Sheffield. The Hub says it takes no equity, fees or IP from the entrepreneurs it supports.
Programmes
The Hub runs four programmes at different stages. Regional Talent Engines is a 6-month pre-accelerator for early-stage engineering and technology entrepreneurs in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Its programme page covers those three nations, while the Hub's programme listing names only Northern England and Northern Ireland. Enterprise Fellowships is a 12-month deep tech accelerator for spinouts and startups. Shott Scale Up Accelerator is a nine-month programme on the leadership skills needed to scale a deep tech company. Explore is a 12-week global market incubator that focuses each round on one sector and one overseas market. Three of the four programmes include a grant.
Who can apply
Regional Talent Engines is for early-stage founders with an idea. A team, a product or a business plan is not needed at the start. Enterprise Fellowships is for university researchers who want to spin out from a UK university or research institute, and for recent graduates starting a company around a validated engineering or technology innovation. Shott Scale Up Accelerator is for founders and C-suite leaders of UK-registered deep tech or engineering SMEs with at least 10 employees, funding raised or equivalent traction, and evidence of product-market fit. Explore is for leaders of IP-rich engineering ventures whose company is UK-based and registered with Companies House. The Explore page describes eligibility in two ways. In one place it says the programme is open only to Enterprise Hub Members. In another it says it is offered to Enterprise Hub Members and to specific members of the Hub's extended network.
Facilities and support
Participants who complete a programme get lifetime access to Hub Member co-working spaces through the regional hub network in London, Belfast, Glasgow, Swansea, Newcastle, Liverpool and Sheffield. The Hub also offers mentoring from the Academy's network of Fellows and industry experts, one-to-one coaching, practical training workshops, and connections to a network of more than 100 investors.
Track record
The Hub's homepage reports 600+ entrepreneurs supported and 6,100+ jobs created by its community. The Enterprise Fellowships page reports 240 entrepreneurs supported and 11 awardees acquired. The Shott page reports 200+ entrepreneurs supported and 1200+ jobs created. These are self-reported figures for different programmes, so they should not be added together.
How to apply
Regional Talent Engines, Enterprise Fellowships and Shott Scale Up Accelerator were all closed to new applicants when their pages were read. Each has a sign-up on its page for notice of the next window. Explore runs in rounds. Expressions of interest for upcoming missions are taken on its page, and applications are submitted and reviewed through the Hub's grant management system. The page carried an expression of interest for an upcoming mission focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Who they work with
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Frequently asked questions about Royal Academy of Engineering
What is Royal Academy of Engineering?
Royal Academy of Engineering is an accelerator based in London.
What does Royal Academy of Engineering do?
The Royal Academy of Engineering's Enterprise Hub supports engineering and technology entrepreneurs across the UK with funding, training, networking and mentoring.
Where is Royal Academy of Engineering located?
Royal Academy of Engineering is located at Prince Philip House, 3 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DG.
What programs does Royal Academy of Engineering run?
Royal Academy of Engineering runs Regional Talent Engines, Enterprise Fellowships, Shott Scale Up Accelerator and Explore.
Do Royal Academy of Engineering programmes charge a fee?
No. Every Royal Academy of Engineering programme that states a fee policy is free to join, including Regional Talent Engines, Enterprise Fellowships, Shott Scale Up Accelerator and Explore.
Does Royal Academy of Engineering take equity?
No. Royal Academy of Engineering states that it takes no equity in Regional Talent Engines, Enterprise Fellowships, Shott Scale Up Accelerator and Explore.
Does Royal Academy of Engineering provide funding?
Selected startups in some Royal Academy of Engineering programmes can receive grant support, including Regional Talent Engines, Enterprise Fellowships and Shott Scale Up Accelerator. Grant amounts are set per programme and cohort, and selection into a programme does not guarantee a grant — check the programme's own page for current terms.
What facilities does Royal Academy of Engineering offer?
Royal Academy of Engineering offers Hub Member co-working spaces.
How do I apply to Royal Academy of Engineering?
- Early-stage idea, no team yet: Regional Talent Engines. - University researcher or recent graduate with a validated engineering innovation: Enterprise Fellowships. - Senior leader of a UK deep tech SME with at least 10 employees: Shott Scale Up Accelerator. - Enterprise Hub Member running an IP-rich engineering venture: Explore, when a round is open.
Recommended grants & schemes
Other open programmes matching Royal Academy of Engineering's focus areas.