Cambridge Independent | Mike Scialom
28 Jan 2022
Submissions for Deeptech Labs’ third cohort are now open – and interested parties have until February 4 to apply for a place on the £50m venture capital accelerator for post-seed, pre-Series A deeptech companies.
Deeptech Labs was launched in 2021 by Arm, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Martlet Capital, Ewan Kirk, and the University of Cambridge: it is both an accelerator and an investor in deeptech.
Companies accepted onto the spring cohort go through a structured and bespoke 13-week accelerator programme designed to translate deep technology into a compelling product and successful company. This is designed to provide an environment in which to translate deep technology into a compelling product and successful company. Facilitating connections with their powerful network of more than 50 world-leading deeptech entrepreneurs, technology experts and investors.
At the end of the programme, Deeptech Labs holds a demo day connecting the founders with more than 50 investors and VCs to showcase their companies and build their fundraising networks. Alongside the accelerator programme, Deeptech Labs also invests in each of its cohort companies through its venture capital fund. The fund is committed to investing in diverse teams, with cohort founders to date being “60 per cent black and multi-ethnic and 40 per cent female. – significantly higher than the UK VC industry average of 1.7 per cent black and multi-ethnic and four per cent female”.
While headquartered in Cambridge – recently named by the UK government as the UK’s top regional tech hub – the accelerator programme has been delivered remotely from the outset due to the pandemic, which has proved to be a successful model and has enabled Deeptech Labs to attract early-stage deeptech companies from around the UK and Europe.
Miles Kirby, Deeptech Labs CEO, said:
“Early-stage deep tech companies are different and typically spend longer in the R&D phase. Once the technology is proven, the challenge then is to translate their technology into a commercial and viable business and product. This means they need bespoke support, specialist advice and access to more specific capital than traditional start-ups. We’re excited to open submissions for our spring 2022 programme and to meet our next cohort of deeptech founders.”
Hao Zheng, co-founder & CEO, RoboK, which graduated last year, said:
“Having access to the impressive global network of fellows and mentors at Deeptech Labs was an unparalleled experience.”
Applications for the third cohort are open now until February 4. Full details here.