Venture Acceleration Programme

Our community and support for deep tech chemistry ventures

Apply for the cleantech cohort

About

Our accelerator is not like any other. We’re uniquely focused on chemistry ventures. From our mentors to our investor network, everyone involved is a specialist or has a deep interest in the field.

There is no one-size-fits-all. We deliver a blend of masterclasses, mentoring, investment support, peer networks, and professional service drop-ins, and founders can choose the support that suits their stage of growth.

It’s not time-limited either – we’re here to support your business throughout its growth. Our support is focused on four areas that are key to development and growth: routes to market, technology and R&D, people and teams, and investment and funding.

The Royal Society of Chemistry funds the support. We do not take equity or charge fees.

More about the support

We offer the following support through our Venture Acceleration Programme, which also comes with regular check-ins with the Change Makers programme team.

Venture Mentoring

Access to our dedicated deep tech chemistry Venture Mentors, selected by you from our pool of experienced experts.

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Investment support

Dedicated support, including our Investment Catalyst pitching events and curated networks of deep tech chemistry-focused investors.

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Masterclasses

A structured programme of Masterclasses, delivered by experts and focusing on topics that are specific to your venture’s challenges and stage of development.

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Peer networks

Engagement with curated peer groups of like-minded deep tech chemistry venture founders in your sector or technology area.

Professional services support

One-to-one surgeries and seminars delivered by out professional service experts.

Our cleantech cohort is open for applications

We are currently actively recruiting for a new cohort of ventures to join our Change Makers Venture Acceleration cohort.  Our application portal will be open to early-stage cleantech ventures from Monday 6 January to Friday 28 March 2025.

Successful applicants will be invited to an in-person selection day in April 2025. From here, we will select the final group of ventures that will form our May 2025 cleantech cohort.

Apply now

Our future cohorts

If you are developing a deep tech chemistry idea in a different area, such as medical technologies or material innovations, then we would like to hear from you so we can reach out with news of future cohorts that will better suit your needs.

We operate on a cohort structure to allow for the development of a tailored programme to address a group of ventures with similar needs and missions, so we are not able to accept any applications outside of the relevant cohort window.

Register your interest

Change Makers ventures

You’ll be in good company. See just a snapshot of some of the ventures supported by the Change Makers Venture Accelerator below, or explore the full gallery .

Who should apply?

We can support ventures that are:
 
  • A UK-registered company, not a subsidiary or spin-out of an existing company.
  • In the early stage of development or the beginning of their commercialisation phase.
  • Addressing an industrial, societal or environmental unmet need or creating a new market.
  • Based on a new chemical technology or process.
  • Committed to following the principles of responsible innovation.

Register your interest

If you would like to tap into the support available through this accelerator, please complete the form below. A member of the team will then contact you regarding your eligibility.

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