Submit Applications for Cancer Tech Accelerator Programme (UK)

Deadline: 10 April 2025

Do you have a game-changing idea or an innovative technology that can transform the lives of cancer patients? If yes, then apply for the Cancer Tech Accelerator Programmme.

The Cancer Tech Accelerator supports innovative technologies that can advance the early detection, diagnosis, monitoring or treatment of cancer.

Created by Cancer Research Horizons and Cancer Research UK with grant support from some of the UK’s leading cancer charities, the accelerator supports you to spin original research into a commercially viable startup. They will give you a platform to test your idea with world-leading experts.

Through the accelerator, you will be supported to compete for funding, develop your commercial proposition, form a startup, and gain all of the tools to successfully bring your innovations to market.

Programme Features

The 9- month programme features:
- 5-Day Virtual Bootcamp
  - Delve into the ‘Deep Tech Playbook’ with industry insiders, oncology experts and tech entrepreneurs about challenges specific to the field of oncology.
- Phase 1
  - Over two and a half months, you will gain the skills required to develop a truly innovative medical technology. They’ll help you create a robust business and development plan to move your concept towards investor readiness.
- Phase 2
  - Six months to develop your technology and the chance to win grant funding to develop and experimentally validate your approach. You will then form a start-up primed for onward development, high growth, and future investment.

Eligibility Criteria

They want to work with researchers, academics, entrepreneurs and clinicians with a novel idea or technology to improve the lives of cancer patients including imaging, diagnostics, medical devices or using a new data-driven approach. You do not need to be a recipient of any previous funding to apply.

Evaluation Criteria

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) is committed to funding groundbreaking projects through the Cancer Tech Accelerator. Projects will be rigorously evaluated based on a comprehensive set of criteria aimed at ensuring their potential for significant impact in the field of oncology. Below are the criteria to guide project selection for grant funding:
- Commercial Viability
  - Revenue Model: Clearly defined revenue streams and a viable business model.
  - Market Validation: Evidence of market demand, including customer interviews or pilot studies.
  - Scalability: Potential for scaling, including international expansion.
- Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
  - Differentiation: Clear differentiation from existing solutions in the market.
  - Intellectual Property: Verification of IP ownership, plans to secure relevant IP and strategy for IP management.
  - Competitive Advantage: Sustained advantage over potential competitors.
- Innovation
  - Novelty: The project introduces a new concept, application, or solution.
  - Technological Advancements: Incorporates cutting-edge technology or innovative applications of existing technology.
  - Disruptive Potential: Capacity to disrupt existing practices or markets.
- Proposed Solution
  - Effectiveness: Demonstrated ability or strong potential to solve the identified problem.
  - Safety and Quality: Compliance with medical and safety standards.
  - User Experience: Focus on patient-centric design and usability.
- Scientific and Technical Approach
  - Methodology: Rigorous scientific methods and protocols.
  - Feasibility: Realistic and achievable milestones and deliverables.
  - Data Integrity: Robust data collection and analysis plans.
- Unmet Patient or Process Need
  - Gap Identification: Clear identification of an unmet need in cancer care or research processes.
  - Beneficiary Impact: Potential for significant positive impact on end-users or beneficiaries.
- Market Potential
  - Market Size: Sizeable target market or customer base.
  - Market Growth: Growing market or sector.
  - Exit Strategy: Clear exit strategy for investors, if applicable.
- Team Skills, Capabilities, and Experience
  - Domain Expertise: Team members have relevant scientific, medical, or technical expertise.
  - Business Acumen: Demonstrated business management skills.
  - Advisory Board: Inclusion of experienced advisors or mentors.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit
  - Resourcefulness: Evaluation from the CTA delivery of the project teams’ resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit
  - Passion and Commitment: Engagement with the CTA programme
- Planned Use of Grant Funding
  - Budget Justification: Clear and justified budget allocation.
  - Milestones: Defined milestones that grant funding will help achieve.
  - Sustainability: Plans for sustainability beyond the grant funding period.
- Investment-Ready Pitch Deck
  - Clarity: Clearly articulated value proposition and business model.
  - Completeness: Includes all key areas such as market analysis, financial projections, and team.
  - Investor Appeal: Crafted in a manner suitable for approaching venture capital investors.