The Entrepreneurship Clinics is a new pilot initiative designed to support 12 underrepresented early-stage founders innovating in advanced materials, battery materials, or critical materials.
Over three immersive days (1 – 3 October 2025 at the Business Design Centre, London), selected founders will gain the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to confidently begin their fundraising journey.
If you are based outside of London, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed to help enable your attendance. More details will be provided to successful applicants. Lunch will also be provided to all participants during the course.
This programme is a collaborative effort by Innovate UK Business Connect and Growth Studio.
What to expect
Across three days of workshops, coaching, and peer-to-peer learning, you’ll explore:
- Fundraising foundations: how investment works in the UK, and what you need
to prepare. - Business model articulation: sharpening how you describe your growth plan
and proposition. - Market research: validating your assumptions and finding your first market
opportunities by leveraging AI tools. - Building investor chemistry: outreach, relationship-building, and investor
mapping. - Investor experiences: what investors look for, and what their advice to you
would be. - The art of storytelling: how to communicate your vision clearly and persuasively.
- Pitching: practice and get feedback on your pitch from the cohort.
Objectives
By the end of the 3 days, each founder will:
- Understand the basics of early-stage fundraising, how to prepare for it and execute.
- Have a much clearer articulation of their business, value proposition, and growth plan.
- Gain confidence in telling their story to investors, collaborators, and partners.
- Improve the quality and persuasiveness of their early investment materials (pitch deck, founder narrative, financials).
- Connect with a supportive peer group and expert mentors to accelerate their journey.
Eligibility
We’re looking for early-stage founders from underrepresented backgrounds who are building innovations in advanced materials, battery materials or critical materials. You must also meet the following criteria:
- Self-identify as underrepresented
- Be a UK-registered company, or a UK-based researcher/individual planning to incorporate by January 2026
- Developing physical innovations or hardware in areas such as:
- Battery materials and components
- Use of critical minerals
- Functional coatings
- Metamaterials
Timeline
Applications open: Wednesday 27th August
Application deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 9th September
Applicants notified by: Friday 12th September
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What do you mean by underrepresented founders?
For this initiative, Innovate UK considers the following groups of people as underrepresented in the innovation ecosystem: disabled people (including neurodiverse founders and those with mental health conditions), ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ founders, non-binary and all marginalised genders, women, carers, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, those from non-traditional educational routes, and younger (18 – 30) or older (60+) founders.
This is a pilot initiative and who Innovate UK considers as underrepresented is based on Innovate UK and ecosystem evidence. The underrepresented groups will be regularly reviewed, and where necessary updated.
My innovation is in advanced materials but not in batteries/critical minerals. Am I still eligible?
Yes, your innovation needs to fall under one of the three areas. If your work falls within advanced materials more broadly (e.g., functional coatings, metamaterials, composites) you are eligible. If unsure, please apply and we will assess fit.
Do I need to already have a company?
If you haven’t incorporated yet, you can still apply, as long as you plan to register your company within the next 3 months.
What stage should my business be at?
We welcome a range of early stages: from concept, lab work, or prototype development to early revenue-generating businesses. The key is that you’re innovating in advanced/battery/critical materials and preparing for your first fundraising journey.
Will travel and accommodation be covered?
Yes. If you are based outside of London, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed to help enable your attendance. More details will be provided to successful applicants.
How many founders will be selected?
For this pilot, up to 12 founders will be chosen for this cohort.
How competitive is the selection process?
Applicants will be selected based on eligibility, fit with the programme focus, and their potential to benefit at this stage of their journey. Applications will be assessed by a combination of sector and investment focussed experts. We expect strong interest, so places will be limited. All applicants will be notified by 12th September.
What if I can’t attend all 3 days?
Full attendance is required in order to get the most benefit and to ensure fairness in the competitive selection process.
What support is available if I have accessibility needs?
We are committed to making the programme inclusive. Please let us know any specific requirements (e.g. mobility support, assistive technology, or adjustments for neurodiverse participants) when applying. Please note that unfortunately for this pilot, we are unable to support virtual participation at this time.
What happens after the 3 days?
You’ll stay connected to your cohort and benefit from an ongoing relationship with Innovate UK Business Connect and Growth Studio, who can support you in your next steps.