Tyrone S. Pitsis

Conception X offers a unique, fully-funded, equity-free deeptech entrepreneurship programme for PhD students, postdocs, and early-career researchers across Europe and the UK. The initiative is designed to help academic founders translate their research into real-world ventures, providing tailored mentorship, coaching, and access to a vibrant peer network. Participants benefit from specialised training in entrepreneurship, commercialisation, and innovation, with the flexibility to continue their academic work alongside the programme. The programme is open to technical PhDs, postdocs, and early-career researchers from any university, regardless of whether they already have a startup idea. Over 600 scientists and engineers from 83 universities have participated, launching 191 companies and raising over £145 million in early-stage investments and grants. Alumni have founded ventures in fields such as quantum machine learning for drug discovery, affordable cancer vaccines, AI-powered disease detection, and advanced materials manufacturing. Conception X provides access to funding opportunities, including potential consideration for up to £250,000 through XTX Ventures and the Conception X Angel Syndicate. The programme is not-for-profit and does not take equity in participant companies. Key features include 1:1 mentorship, flexible part-time structure, and a strong focus on supporting researchers at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Applicants must be current PhD students, postdocs, or early-career researchers in technical or scientific fields, with an interest in entrepreneurship and commercialising research. The application deadline for the Spring 2026 cohort is 16 December 2025. Interested candidates should apply online via the Conception X website and are encouraged to join a Discovery Session for more information about the programme and application process. For more details and to apply, visit the Conception X website or register for an upcoming Discovery Session.