MassChallenge UK – Early Stage Startup Accelerator

They connect high-potential startups to experts, corporations & communities to deliver growth & impact. They will again collaborate with the MassChallenge Switzerland partner Group (Bühler, Givaudan, dsm-firmenich, Louis Dreyfus Company, Omya, and Nestlé). They will be based in UEL in the Royal Docks, in East London.

The 2024 programme will focus on AI-enabled startups, however they will add a new track on sustainable bio-chemistry. As always, the programme will run from July to October.

Startups in the UK programme will have the opportunity to compete for the no strings attached, non-dilutive prize money from MassChallenge Switzerland, and a special £10,000 prize to the best UK startup in the programme.

The UK Startup cohort will again benefit from the MassChallenge Switzerland’s programme plus additional connection events with partners, and expert mentors in London. Acceleration will take place with boot camps in Switzerland, in-person events in London, and online activities throughout the programme.

Benefits 

• Unrivalled access to +20 global corporate partners, totalling +£300Bn in revenue.
• World-class mentoring from 400+ experts and tailored programming provided with no equity taken in return.
• The opportunity to compete for up to CHF 1M in non-dilutive cash prizes. And a specific prize of £10,000 for the best startup in the UK programme.
• A proven model that has helped more than 65% of finalists raise funds during or immediately after the program.
• Office space for the duration of the programme in the Royal Docks in London.

They Are Looking For?

• The arrival of LLM’s and Generative AI has unlocked a world of new possibilities in traditional segments and industries. They welcome applications from Startups with technologies that have the potential to create a sustainable society and planet. In particular, but not exclusively:
  • AI-enabled startups, focused on:
    • Decarbonisation of Industry & Society;
    • Health & Well-Being;
    • Drug Discovery;
    • Food System Transformation;
    • Logistics, Mobility, and Energy Efficiency;
    • Manufacturing & Engineering.
  • Green & Bio-chemistry Startups, focused on:
    • Green chemistry (Biotech & electrolyzer technologies);
    • Green Hydrogen;
    • Valorisation of waste streams and waste gases (circular economy);
    • Generative chemistry.

Eligibility Criteria 

Startups should have:

• Impactful products, technologies; with the potential to drive substantial economic growth and to transform society.
• A concept that is viable; startups must be able to demonstrate traction amongst those participating in their solution, as well as how their idea is financially sustainable.
• A concept that is scalable; startups must be able to show how their solution scales and that their pricing is market competitive.
• Less than c.£3M capital raised and £3m sales; you do not need to be incorporated. What’s important is the impact, viability, and scalability of your idea.
• A strategic connection with the UK; based in the UK, have a UK presence or are focused on the UK as a market. In addition some physical accelerator events are in Switzerland and you should be prepared to travel for up to 10 days over 4 months. Additionally, you will be required to travel to London at different times during the Accelerator, but don’t worry, they will have an office space provided for you. The selection process will be carried out online, so no travel is needed before you are accepted.

For more information, visit MassChallenge.