The King’s Spinout Accelerator is a 12-month programme dedicated to supporting the translation of inventions, born from groundbreaking research across King’s College London.
Since 2021, we have partnered with King's Innovation Catalyst to provide support for King's research community, enabling researchers and academics to explore the commercial potential of their research.
King's Spinout Accelerator
Could your research have a broader impact that benefits society, enhances quality of life, health or the environment? Have you identified something of commercial value?
By the end of the accelerator participants will have completed a lean canvas, prepared a standout pitch deck, be investment ready or raising investment. 70% of last year's cohort said they left the accelerator feeling more like an entrepreneur, than a researcher.
Spinouts supported by King's Entrepreneurship Institute have gone on to raise close to £50m in investment.
Applications for the next cohort will open in February 2026. The accelerator will commence in June 2026. Register to receive updates to support your application.
What’s on offer:
- Access to interactive masterclasses and skill development sessions, to explore commercialisation, evidence-based validation and partnership opportunities.
- Access to our in-house Experts-in-Residence and industry experts from compliance, investment, tech, marketing and more.
- Dedicated support from an in-house IP & Licensing Manager with specialist knowledge of your sector.
- Access to grant expertise and industry partnership support through King's Innovation Catalyst.
- Access a peer network to aid Knowledge Exchange.
- Access to King's Investor Network
- Access to office space for up to five team members in Bush House, Aldwych.
We expect prospective spinouts to attend all masterclasses and dedicate at least one day a week to their venture. All sessions, except reviews and drop-ins, will be held in-person.
FAQs
The King's Spinout Accelerator is open to all King's research staff from all faculties, applicants where the university retains the IP ownership, all staff who have submitted an Innovation Disclosure Form (contact ei@kcl.ac.uk for more information)
Applications open: 2nd February - 8th March 2026. Shortlisting and interviews will take place between March and April. The Accelerator commences on 4th June, followed by a bootcamp 10th - 12th June.
You do not need to be a registered company to apply. We accept ideas at proof-of-concept stage, through to teams with early prototypes or pilots. However, you should be able to demonstrate market potential and have had a discussion about intellectual property with King's Innovation Catalyst.
The two accelerators support different types of ventures, based on who owns the intellectual property (IP). King's Spinout Accelerator is for ventures where the university retains the IP ownership, usually originating from academic research within King's. The King's Start-up Accelerator is for ventures where the IP is owned by the founders, not the university.
Apply via our online application form (which will go live on 2nd February 2026). Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a panel interview and will be asked to present their project, followed by a Q&A. We typically accept 50% of applicants to ensure deep support and resources for each team.
An opportunity to broaden your mindset and breakdown the complex process of creating a venture into manageable steps, whilst also learning from others who have launched successful ventures in the past.
Professor Christopher Hobbs, Founder of Alucia
A great place to be with like-minded people and progress together, whilst learning so much. Every time I am at one of the workshops I am invigorated and excited and want to take our venture forward.
Professor Sandrine Thuret, Co-founder of NeuroPrognostix
King's MedTech Accelerator
If you're a King's member of staff or a researcher focused on transforming research innovations, related to medical devices and healthcare technologies, into viable healthcare ventures, check out the King's MedTech Accelerator. This Accelerator is run by the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering.