Eagle Labs and University College London launch Conception X

Eagle Labs and University College London (UCL) have launched Conception X, a ‘venture builder’ that creates investable, early-stage deep tech start-ups founded by the nation’s best and brightest PhD students.

The initiative will enable PhDs in UCL’s top-ranked Computer Science programme to transform their dissertation into a deep tech start-up.

Over a nine-month period the teams will work on their business idea in a sustained effort to create a viable start-up. They will benefit from quarterly goal-based mentoring sessions with not only seasoned entrepreneurs and academics, but also potential investors and future clients – helping to finesse their proposition and boost their chances of funding after graduation.

Teams can also partner with intrapreneurs within a corporate to apply deep tech to an issue they would like to solve. This provides another opportunity to connect with potential clients and sheds light on real problems from industry.

Aside from being significantly longer than a typical ‘incubator’ programme, Conception X is unique in that students retain all IP associated with their project.

Eagle Labs and UCL piloted Conception X with 14 teams last year, building a range of deep tech start-ups exploring areas such as AI, quantum computing, blockchain and augmented reality. All teams significantly developed their business idea with six emerging as fully-fledged start-ups.

Following the successful trial, Eagle Labs has provided funding to launch Conception X with UCL. The investment will also enable Conception X to scale to other leading universities across the UK over the next few years.

The Eagle Labs team will offer ongoing mentorship as well as access to funding and a network of potential investors and clients. Upon completion, Conception X teams can base their operations in any of the 22 Eagle Labs across the country.

We believe deep tech has the potential to transform communities, business and society, but only if talented individuals are given the opportunity to explore the art of the possible. This programme creates the perfect space for the best and brightest students to experiment in fields that will shape the future.

Eagle Labs and University College London launch Conception X

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