FAQ

EXPLORE aims to provide tailored and practical support to Enterprise Hub alumni working in deep tech to increase their visibility, forge invaluable connections and to be exposed to investment and expansion opportunities in other ecosystems. 

This programme has been designed for Enterprise Hub alumni. Therefore, applicants should be an alumnus of one of the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub’s programmes, having completed the programme in full. 

Each round of the programme will focus on a different deep tech sector and focus on preparing the cohort to learn more about a certain market. Please see the main page or eligibility pages to confirm the round’s sector and location when applying. 

The Academy is committed to diversity and welcomes nominations and nominees from women and other groups who are currently under-represented across engineering, as well as recognising the full breadth of engineering. 

The programme is designed to support up to five promising Enterprise Hub alumni. Through focusing on a small cohort, the offer and content can evolve and be guided by the personal strengths and challenges of each individual company. 

The programme has been designed to follow a hybrid delivery model comprised of in-person and virtual elements. We recognise that cohort delegates are busy and may not be based in London, therefore in-person activities are only offered when we know the most benefit will be derived (including the face-to-face international mission). Please note the programme will run in accordance with any government guidelines at the given time. 

Grant funding of £12,000 is available to support your deep tech company to embed your learnings from the programme. This may include, but is not limited to, visits for the purpose of relationship building with partners, value add activities, access to advisory support or consultants and/or pivoting companies’ plans. 

If you are an Enterprise Hub alumnus working in deep tech you may be eligible to apply. Please see the eligibility page for full details. 

Each round of the programme will focus on a different deep tech sector and focus on preparing the cohort to learn more about a certain market. Please see the main page or eligibility pages to confirm the round’s sector and location when applying. 

If you are unsure if you qualify as an eligible potential applicant, please contact our ecosystem manager

The company must be based in the UK and registered with Companies House. For multinational companies, the Head Office must be based in the UK and the measures above must apply to the entire company, not just the UK office. We welcome applications from companies across the UK. 

Applicants must be able to commit to a three-month programme. This will include a weekly workshop or discussion session. In-person commitments (based on Government guidelines at the time) will include the induction event, five-day international mission (exclusive of travel), and graduation event. A minimum number of sessions will be set to attend, however the content is shaped around the cohort, this will be confirmed at a later date. 

For programme-related sessions and events where in-person attendance is required by participants, such as the induction day or the demo day and showcase, we will cover travel and accommodation costs within the UK. 

We will also cover international travel and accommodation expenses as part of this programme’s international mission. 

All applications will be reviewed by an assessment panel consisting of Fellows of the Academy with entrepreneurial and industrial experience and representatives from the investment community. Applications will be reviewed against the criteria listed in the guidance notes therefore we encourage applicants to read these carefully. 

Each application is assessed and scored by at least two members of the Panel. Successful applicants are decided following a Panel shortlisting and selection meeting. 

While there are no scheduled interviews for the Enterprise Hub EXPLORE programme, please note that the selection panel may request an interview if more information is required. 

Applications will be judged on their individual merits. There is no specific number of awards that the Academy must make in each year, but the maximum is 5 per cohort. If an application does not meet the standard of excellence required by the assessment process, it will not proceed, regardless of the number of other suitable applicants. 

Applications are accessible by the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub team and used for the purpose of processing the application, making, and administering awards, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, including statistical analysis in relation to the evaluation of the programme. 

In assessing your application, details are shared with Panel Members who consist of Fellows of the Academy with entrepreneurial and industrial experience and representatives from the investment community. All Panel members agree to a confidentiality agreement prior to joining and are obligated to declare any conflicts of interest with any applicants. 

If a conflict of interest is declared, the Panel Member will not have access to that application. Members of the Enterprise Hub team will also be able to view the applications. Details of the applications will be kept confidential within the review process. 

Yes, providing you meet the programme’s eligibility criteria and are interested in the round’s sector and location there are no limits on reapplications. If you would like feedback on your previous application, please contact the Senior Ecosystem Manager, Katie Saddleton. 

If you want to apply another time and to be notified when we re-open applications, please complete the expression of interest form at the bottom of this page. 

Please note however that the sector and location are subject to change for each round. 

Then programme is completely free - we do not charge fees or take an equity stake. 

If you have any queries after reading the guidance notes and the above FAQs, please do not hesitate to contact the Ecosystem team

If you are successful, your funding will be awarded under the Basic Terms and Conditions found on the Academy’s website.   

This agreement has been developed to ensure funding aligns with our Academy values, is used for the purposes for which it was awarded, and is managed in compliance with our own funders’ agreements, UK legislation and funding best practice.