Pioneering programme aiming to support long-term investment into Life Sciences and Deep Tech sectors launches today

A new Science and Technology Venture Capital (VC) Fellowship launches today, designed to enhance investor capability in identifying and deploying capital into high-potential, scalable, life science and physical science deep tech ventures.

Funded by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering and Imperial College London, this new Fellowship aims to drive growth and realise the significant opportunity of the Life Sciences and Deep Tech sectors in the UK. 

While VC investment has grown significantly in the last decade, it has largely missed out the deep tech and science sectors that the UK has a significant global competitive advantage in. With government dedication to support UK growth by facilitating the deployment of greater risk capital in the coming years, it is critical to simultaneously develop a cohort of investors with the knowledge and networks needed to raise and deploy VC into science and technology ventures.

Ana Avaliani, Director at the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub said, ‘As the UK positions itself to secure renewed economic growth, we urgently need to invest in deep technology to support these ambitions and address some the biggest challenges of our time. VC investment is essential to that growth’.     

The first cohort is made up of 20 diverse Fellows representing organisations from across the UK. The Fellowship will run alongside participants’ full-time employment, with core modules delivered as 20 intensive contact days between now and September 2025. It comprises:    

• Experiential learning with real world impact: practical learning through project and case study work, mentorship and coaching which will enable fellows to apply their knowledge and sharpen their skills in fund raising, portfolio management, identifying and scaling high-potential ventures. 
• Customised networking for lasting connections: opportunity to join a carefully curated network of professionals and experts across the UK and beyond, fostering connections within the science and technology investment communities. 
• Exclusive access to leading industry insights: delivered by academics and practitioners, providing a deep understanding of the science and technology venture landscape and investment opportunities. 

Ramana Nanda, Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance and Academic Lead for the Institute for Deep Tech Entrepreneurship at Imperial College London said, ‘Our programme has been carefully designed to combine academic instruction with guest lectures and panel discussions involving leading experts in deep tech and life sciences Venture Capital, in addition to substantial opportunities for networking and experiential learning’. 

The aims and curriculum of the progamme have been designed in consultation with the Advisory Group, who have supported the initiative from DSIT since the Fellowship’s inception. The Advisory Group members are:  

• Junaid Bajwa, Senior Partner and Head of UK at Flagship Pioneering 
• Dame Kate Bingham, DBE HonFRS HonFREng HonFMedSci Managing Partner at SV Health, NED at ARIA and Francis Crick Institute 
• Charlie Foreman, Senior Advisor at Lazard, Dep Chairman of Institute of Cancer Research and NED Babraham Research Campus 
• Anne Glover, CBE HonFREng CEO and Co-Founder of Amadeus Ventures 
• Dan Mahony, Senior Partner at Novo Holdings and Chair of Board of Bio Industry Association 
• Dame Fiona Murray, DCMG CBE Associate Dean for Innovation at MIT Sloan, Vice Chair of Nato Innovation Fund 
• Patrick Pichette, CQ Partner at Innovia Capital 
• Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner at Engine Ventures, NED at ARIA 
• Tom Newby, Head of Office for Quantum at UK Government will represent the Department of Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on the Advisory Board 

The Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship represents a unique partnership between Imperial College London and the Royal Academy of Engineering, combining the experience of delivering specialised educational and Fellowship programming with an unparalleled network of science, technology and engineering experts across the UK. It also represents an opportunity to not only advance careers, but to help to shape a sector that holds solutions to support our society and planet.