Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship for investors

For ambitious VC’s in deep tech or life sciences

For mid-career VCs in life science and deep tech who have the ambition be the next generation of General Partners, either in their own firms or as emerging fund managers.

Benefit from professional education and leadership development, paired with experiential learning, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship aims to support the development of a strong talent pipeline of science and technology VCs in the UK.

Delivered jointly by Imperial Business School and the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub, the Fellowship is supported by the Department for Science Innovation and Technology.

Programme overview

Designed to run alongside full-time employment, the fellowship is delivered through 15 intensive contact days between November 2025 and September 2026.

It is structured in two parts:

Part 1: Foundational content

Sourcing, investing and portfolio construction in Life Science and Deep Tech VC covering, fund positioning and access to deal flow, strategies around initial investment vs. follow-on reserves and investing across to market cycles.
Portfolio management covering issues around syndication, follow-on decisions, responding to financing risk and addressing under-performing management.
Scaling and exiting Science and Technology ventures including building high performance boards and leadership teams as ventures scale internationally, managing exits including liquidation and restructuring.
Raising and structuring Life Science / Deep Tech VC funds including practicalities of fund raising, structuring and the varying expectations of Limited Partners interested in Life Science and Deep Tech VC.

Part 2: Experiential learning

Experiential project Extend understanding of modules 1-4 through a project that develops a fund model and related ‘differentiating narrative’ that is the basis of a pitch to Limited Partners. Engage with potential Limited Partners to hone pitch. .
Ecosystem visits Visit regional innovation hubs across the UK to extend knowledge and networks across the UK’s priority science and technology sectors. Meet with portfolio companies within the life science and deep tech sectors.

Hear from our cohort

Tom Grant, Head of Venture Investments, Aviva Investors

“The Fellowship helped refine my approach to Science & Technology investing, deepening my understanding of scientific risk and translational pathways, while connecting me with a strong network of peers and industry experts across the innovation ecosystem.”

Chloe Hall, Senior Investment Manager, L&G

“The Fellowship provided a valuable opportunity to explore new approaches to deep tech investing. Engaging with other investors facing similar challenges helped sharpen my thinking and expand my network in a meaningful, practical way.”

Tej Panesar, Partner, Prism Ventures

“This programme brings together influential investors at the forefront of science and healthcare. It’s a powerful platform for building influence and unlocking new opportunities.”

Oliver Sims, Principal, Octopus Ventures

“The course has been fantastic, it’s really allowed me to reflect on who I am as an investor, how I treat my portfolio companies, how to find new investments and how to manage a portfolio which is everything I was looking for.”

Networking and Community

Fellows benefit from deep, specialised networking through track-specific roundtables in Life Sciences and Deep Tech, connecting participants with top-tier global ecosystem players. The Life Science and Deep Tech Observatory hosts three events annually, fostering cross-cohort engagement.

Alumni benefit from a dedicated network that supports ongoing peer learning, access to mentors and investors, exclusive events, and continued recognition through Imperial College Business School and the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub.

Invest in your future and shape a sector

With the Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship, you have a year to invest time and energy into your long-term career and help shape the future of the deep tech and life sciences investment landscape in the UK.

The Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship programme is delivered by Imperial College London and the Royal Academy of Engineering and supported by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship

Meet the current cohort

Download the programme brochure