Application process
Please read the applicant guidance notes for more information on eligibility and what support we provide. We open for applications in January and July each year.
Join an introductory webinar
Wondering if Enterprise Fellowships is for you and if this is the right time to apply, what has changes since you applied last and what the selection process entails?
All Applicants:
Alumni panel webinar
Researcher to spinout route:
Recent graduate to startup route:
Stage one application
Tell us about yourself and your idea so we can assess if you and your innovation are suitable for our programme. It will take about 60 minutes to complete, and if successful we will invite you to stage two. This is an administrative step only – it does not consider how good the idea is or your potential as an entrepreneur, but whether you meet the criteria of the programme.
Attend an applicant support webinar
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be passed through to Stage two and invited to attend a mandatory applicant support webinar. Times and dates will be shared directly.
Stage two application
This is more detailed, covering you, the team, the technology and business model. This will be reviewed by a panel of experts drawn from our network, and if successful you will be invited to the third and final stage, to pitch to our selection panel.
Invite your Tech Transfer Officer to webinar
These webinars are designed specifically for Tech Transfer Officers and Commercialisation Managers, who play an important role in supporting spinout applications. We'll provide an overview of the application process, share guidance on how to best support applicants, and offer an opportunity to discuss questions and learn how we can work together to make the process as smooth and effective as possible.
Application form content
Stage one content
Stage one asks you to summarise three aspects of your proposal:
- What is your background and how are you involved in the project.
- What problem you are solving, and how well developed is the technology.
- How well developed is the commercialisation plan.
This allows us to check your eligibility and if the technology is within our remit, and if this is the right time for you to join our programme.
Note that while we only allow an applicant to apply to us twice, stage one does not count as an application, and you may submit to stage one as many times as you like.
Additionally, you can submit your stage one application at any time - the earlier you submit your application the more time you will have to complete stage two.
Stage two content
This is the full application, where you provide details on yourself, the team, the innovation and the outline of a commercialisation plan.
This stage is about 1,500 words with questions testing the following six areas (please also see the Assessment Criteria below:
- The applicant’s fit for the programme and if this the right time to apply.
- The suitability of the team – existing or planned.
- Level of engineering and its novelty.
- How defensible the technology is – IP.
- Market validation of the solution.
- Route to market strategy.
You will also be asked to supply a video pitch, pitch deck and your CV.
Graduate applicants are also asked to provide a letter of reference.
Academic applicants are required to request their Technology Transfer team and Head of Department complete relevant sections. Be sure to approach them well ahead of the submission deadlines.
Hear more from Enterprise Fellowship alumni
Thinking of applying to the Enterprise Fellowships? Hear from alumni who have completed it.
Watch below for insights from Dr Arielle Torres, CEO & Co-founder of Pipeline Organics; Dr Uğur Tanrıverdi, CEO & Co-founder of Unhindr; and Dr Matthew Moore, Founder of DroneTector, who are alumni of the Enterprise Fellowships programme. They share candid reflections, practical advice, and real-life stories about their journeys, and explain how the programme’s support helped shape their businesses.