QUEST for talent Uni’s pre-icubator scheme to boost deep tech start-ups
If QTEC had not instilled the confidence that I was ready to pitch my business, I would not be in the position I am now Matthew Hutchings, SEEQC
THE University of Bristol is relaunching its pre-incubator programme in a bid to help create more deep tech start-ups in the UK
The QUEST programme, which starts in November, will be run by the university’s Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre (QTEC), which provides training, skills and support to researchers to commercialise their businesses.
The sixth-month scheme will support the rapid generation of new quantum, engineering and scientific technology companies.
Selected founders will receive skills and training for the creation of deep-tech companies, plus mentoring from industry leaders, regular road-mapping sessions with a team of entrepreneurs in residence, and the potential to pitch for capital from a network of UK and European angel investors and VCs.
Participating founders will also have access to the entrepreneurbased ial network in the West of England, which has a strong track record of commercial success in bringing research and innovation to market.
Kimberley Brook, programme manager of QUEST said: “To ensure the UK remains at the forefront of deep tech innovation, it is vital we upskill our PhD students and researchers to enable them to develop companies on university research.
“Through QTEC we have demonstrated that scientists make excellent CEOs and CTOs provided they are given the training, skills and support they need to succeed early on in their entrepreneurial journey.”
According to the University of Bristol, a third of all UK quantum start-ups have originated out of the university.
It said that since 2016, QTEC had supported the creation of 28 active companies with a combined valuation of more than £120m. These firms have raised over £57m and created over 175 new highly-skilled jobs in Britain.
Neciah Dorh, who is a previous fellow at QTEC and the chief executive and co-founder of bacteria diagnostic platform FluoretiQ, said QTEC gave him “the freedom” to explore the commercial possibilities of his technology.
Matthew Hutchings, cofounder of SEEQC, which is developing the first digital quantum computing platform for global businesses, added: “If QTEC had not instilled the confidence that I was ready to pitch my business, I would not be in the position I am now. I am a cofounder of a VC-backed company based in the USA and the UK, with 18 employees and counting.”
QUEST applications close on October 31.