FAQ

Developing exceptional deep tech leaders who can scale transformative UK companies and deliver economic and societal impact. 

We're looking for changemakers in engineering and technology SMEs that are experiencing scale-up growth challenges. Applications from engineers and non-engineers are welcome - if you're a senior decision maker, such as a founder or managing director (MD), and you have plans to scale your SME, then you should apply. Your title doesn't have to be founder or MD, but you need to be actively involved in the business in a decision-making capacity to make scale up decisions. If not, the programme wouldn't be suitable because the aim is to support leaders of scale-ups. The programme is not suited for Non Executive Directors (NEDs). 

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

No, we are looking for leaders of engineering companies regardless of background. As long as you're in a senior decision-making role, you can apply.

Only one individual from a company can apply per round of the programme.

One additional application associated with the same company will be considered in another application round if the candidate belongs to a group that is underrepresented within UK engineering.

Please note this also includes those who were successful in gaining a place on the previously named SME Leaders programme.

Please see full eligibility guidance or email the programme team at [email protected] if you'd like to discuss your eligibility. If applicants have been unsuccessful, they can reapply in another round.

The Academy defines engineering in a broad sense, as can be seen from the range of past participants who worked in companies operating across different sectors, including: robotics, medtech, cleantech, hardware, AI, automotive and materials. 

Software companies must exhibit engineering as their core component and should be innovative and protectable. We unfortunately cannot support consultancies. If you are unsure that your company's activities qualify as engineering, please contact the programme team at [email protected].

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.

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 on company eligibility must apply to the entire company, not just the UK office. 

Travel and accommodation costs are covered to attend the in-person growth training modules which take place in London. This is to encourage participation from individual applicants from companies across the whole of the UK.

For compulsory events at the Enterprise Hub in London, we will cover travel and accommodation costs within the UK.

You can also claim travel and accommodation costs within the UK for attending the leadership course as part of your £10,000 grant. We cannot cover international expenses if your leadership course is based outside the UK.

Shott Scale Up Accelerator is made possible by funding from the UK Government Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and private donor, Ian Shott CBE FREng, Academy Fellow and serial entrepreneur.

• Employees 10 - 250 people
• Turnover < £50 million per annum
• Leader = CEO, CTO, Founder in another senior decision maker role

Yes, providing you fulfil the programme's eligibility criteria. If you would like feedback on your previous application, please contact the programme team.

The Shott Scale Up Accelerator selection panel is composed of 35+ reviewers who agree to a confidentiality agreement before they join the panel. If they declare a conflict of interest with any applicants or their companies, they will not have access to that particular 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.

You can sign up for alerts when we next open the programme by completing this form on our landing page.

We are a charity and do not charge any fees nor take any equity in exchange for our support.

We offer flexibility and, as much as possible, meet the needs of parents and those with caring responsibilities, enabling them to participate fully in the programme. We will share the programme dates at the start, have no workshops scheduled on weekends and will minimise any evening engagements. In your cohort you will find a supportive peer group who also combine caring responsibilities with the demands of scaling up a high-growth company.
We can also offer programme extensions, should you need to go on maternity/paternity or adoptive leave during the programme.

If you have any queries after reading the Guidance Notes and the above FAQs, please do not hesitate to contact us. All questions should be sent to [email protected].