KQ Labs, an accelerator programme for high growth potential companies in the area of data-driven health, is now accepting applications for its fourth cohort. The programme will kick off in late October and culminate in a Demo Day in March 2022.
Run by the Francis Crick Institute and funded by LifeArc, the KQ Labs accelerator programme is designed for early-stage data-driven health entrepreneurs looking for support to validate their ideas and develop their business goals in a supportive and enriching environment. KQ Labs provides a unique customised framework with a five-month accelerator programme entirely focused on data-driven health. Up to ten selected companies will each be offered funding (£40k) in the form of a convertible loan, a training programme with weekly workshops from experts tailored to digital health, introductions to investors and corporates, and mentoring by a hand-picked network of experts. The core programme content will be delivered virtually, supplemented with in-person or hybrid networking opportunities if circumstances allow. The virtual delivery of the core programme is aimed to facilitate participation from companies all over the UK.
Application criteria
The programme is open to start-ups who have:
- A focus on areas which have the potential to have a significant impact on health, and where use of data is a core part of the business model
- Two or more founders or team members
- A Minimum Viable Product, prototype or proof of concept
- An early stage company (pre-series A)
- A team based in the UK
- The start-up’s legal entity must be UK-based
The deadline for applications is mid-day on 20 July 2021. For further information and to apply, please visit the KQ Labs website.
For further information, please contact:
Emma Fox
Programme Manager for KQ Labs
The Francis Crick Institute
Email: emma.fox@crick.ac.uk
About KQ Labs www.kqlabs.com
KQ Labs is an accelerator dedicated entirely to data driven health with a global focus and providing longer term support, as we aim to catalyse the building of an ecosystem. Run by the Francis Crick Institute, funded by LifeArc, and with the support of many partners, KQ Labs offers a customised framework, providing critical expertise and support to ten carefully selected companies, all solving significant healthcare challenges. The programme includes a convertible loan (£40k), workshops with experts tailored to digital health, mentoring by a hand-picked network of experts, and introductions to investors and corporates.
The intersection between the biomedical and data sciences promises to play a transformational role in solving some of the most difficult challenges facing global health systems. The KQ Labs accelerator represents a unique opportunity to catalyse the creation of a world class sustainable digital health ecosystem based in London’s Knowledge Quarter. By harnessing the world-class data science and biomedical resources available in the area, we can reinforce the UK's position as a major force in artificial intelligence in health and life sciences and build a world class cluster of successful data-driven health start-ups.
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About LifeArc www.lifearc.org
LifeArc is a self-funded medical research charity. Our mission is to advance translation of early science into health care treatments or diagnostics that can be taken through to full development and made available to patients. We have been doing this for more than 25 years and our work has resulted in a diagnostic for antibiotic resistance and four licensed medicines.
Our success allows us to explore new approaches to stimulate and fund translation. We have our own drug discovery and diagnostics development facilities, supported by experts in technology transfer and intellectual property who also provide services to other organisations. Our model is built on collaboration, and we partner with a broad range of groups including medical research charities, research organisations, industry and academic scientists. We are motivated by patient need and scientific opportunity.
Two funds help us to invest in external projects for the benefit of patients: our Philanthropic Fund provides grants to support medical research projects focused on the translation of rare diseases research and our Seed Fund is aimed at start-up companies focussed on developing new therapeutics and biological modalities. Follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.