Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if A@B is right for my business?

If you are a life science start-up company working in therapeutics, reagents, technology platforms or diagnostics, looking for data-driven business and technical support from practitioners, lab and office space and the opportunity to expand your network in the outstanding Cambridge life science cluster then the competition is relevant to you.

  1. Who can apply?
    • Anyone who has an interesting proposal for commercialisation, with some proof-of-concept data and an early business plan.
    • Ideally, your company will already be incorporated but if not, it may still be possible to take part.
    • We’re looking for applicants from all over the UK. If you are thinking of applying from outside the UK, you do need to have the right to work in the UK, we can’t sponsor visas.
  2. Why should I apply?
    • Accelerate@Babraham is one of the best opportunities you will come across for starting-up your business.
    • We have all the ingredients for success:
      • Unrivaled community of 50+ biotech companies on site with CEO networks and other on-site opportunities for peer-to-peer learning as well as access to the wider Cambridge cluster.
      • A research rich environment, co-located with a world-leading academic Institute and exclusive access to BBSRC Campus grants to access the scientific facilities e.g. flow cytometry.
      • Experience – we have been supporting biotech start-ups in Cambridge for over 35 years and running accelerator programmes since 2018. We have great vision and ambition to provide the best programme possible in collaboration with start-ups and founders.
      • All successful companies are awarded £10k undiluted and no-strings funding, 12 months free lab and office-space with a base at Babraham Research Campus from day one.
      • You will be based in LiveLabs bio-incubator space within a community of biotech founders and have access to a range of shared equipment, including new, state-of-the-art equipment generously provided by Promega.
      • We work with selected delivery partners across Cambridge and the UK to provide support for you to become lab-ready, investor-ready and pitch-ready.
  3. What does the programme involve?
    • The programme involves three phases:
      • Phase 1 provides taught content and support from practitioners and experts, you will also be expected to do homework and report back each week on the questions posed.
      • Phase 2 will ensure that all the practical aspects are in place for you to get into the labs.
      • Phase 3 is up to 10 months free lab space for you to perform key experiments.
  4. When can I access the laboratories?
    • As soon as you start on the programme we will support you to put all the practical things in place to access the labs, including risk assessments and health and safety inductions.
    • Timing will be dependent on how quickly you are able to provide paperwork for review. From experience you are likely to access the laboratories by July 2024.
  5. What can I expect to achieve from the programme?
    • There are some clear deliverables that you will achieve by the end of the programme:
      • a clear business plan.
      • an outstanding network of individuals who are invested in your future success, and
      • a framework to measure your progress in the future.
    • You will also have reached key experimental inflection points and your proof of concept will be complete.
  6. What’s it like to be part of the programme
    • Companies that have been on the programme previously overwhelming cite the programme as a springboard for their success. The cohort bounces off each other and there is a lot of peer-to-peer support.
    • A typical response to this question from our previous cohorts is: “Accelerate@Babraham was life saving for us. It provided the right support at exactly the right time.”
    • Explore the website in more detail to gain further insights from previous participants.
  7. What are the key dates I need to know?
    • Applications for Accelerate@Babraham 2024 will launch 29th January and close on 25th March.
    • Applicants need to be available and eligible to attend in-person events including interviews, Bootcamp and Workshops at Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge, UK.
    • Interviews will be held at the Babraham Research Campus 16th and 18th April and applicants will be expected to attend the Bootcamp in-person 15th and 16th May.
    • Applicants will also be expected to attend the programme in-person, which is running Fridays throughout May, June and July (from 17th May until 12th July).

Download FAQ PDF here.