Selection process
Places on the programme will be awarded through a competitive application process, with the most promising entrepreneurs gaining a place.
All applications must be submitted via the online Grants Management System. You must first register with the system and provide some basic login details to create a profile.
Once logged in, select My Applications in the top-left corner, and choose an application from the list of currently open applications.
At any stage in the application process you can save your work, log off and return to it later. The applications has two main sections.
The questions in the application form are listed in the Essential Guidance Notes. Many of the questions have prescribed word limits that are designed to keep your answers focused and to give you an indication of the level of detail we require.
You will have the option to download a PDF of your application after submission, which may be useful for future reference.
The Academy will retain personal information as per our Data Retention Policy.
Interview process
Once your application is submitted we will check you are eligible. If you pass this stage, your application will then be reviewed by expert reviewers. Selected candidates will then be shortlisted and invited to an interview.
Candidates who have been selected for interview will be notified in early November and invited to a formal interview which will take place between 18 November and 13 December 2024.
If you are selected for interview, you will be invited to participate in a pre-interview pitch boot camp ahead of the formal interview process. This will involve two training sessions, plus one-to-one coaching, over a 1-2 week period to help candidates who are new to pitching prepare for the judging panel.
The formal interview process will involve a pitch-style presentation of your proposal, along with next steps, and a Q&A section with a panel of judges. The interview process is competitive with up to 40 candidates selected from across all regions.
The programme will run over approximately six months and is designed to accelerate your startup journey. With training, mentoring and one-to-one support as you spend the vast majority of your time pursuing the aims you set out to achieve.
Join an Applicant Workshop online
We are running online workshops to help you to submit a successful application, open to all potential applicants interested in joining our training in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The workshops will be hosted by the programme managers, and will cover an overview of the Regional Talent Engines programme, information on the stages and expectations of the application process, and advice on how to submit a strong application. There will also be a Q&A session for you to ask anything further to the programme managers.
Our session on 4 September will be hosted by Senior Programme Manager Sarah and will be open to female applicants only.
Tuesday 3 September
3.30pm – 4.30pm
Female applicants: Wednesday 4 September
1.00pm – 2.00pm
Wednesday 11 September
12.00pm – 1.00pm
Tuesday 17 September
9.30am – 10.30am
