From lab to launch: New UK accelerator opens to help UK electronics start-ups scale

Press Release – 22nd October, London, UK

• 12-week programme led by Dr Nicola Wheeler-Thorn, CEO & MD, and award-winning Dr Valerie Lynch, Founder and Chairman at AND Technology Research
• Neucin Design, Arrow Electronics, ARISE ARU, and the University of Essex, among collaborators announced 
• Applications are now open from today, closing on 1st December
• Entry available here: Apply

“The UK’s electronics start-up economy is bursting at the seams with brilliant ideas, but so many don’t make it past the functional proof of concept stage. Our mission is to change this by giving a new cohort access to expert mentors, workshops, a pro-grade electronics lab, funding and more. Together, we can boost the embedded electronics start-up economy with a wave of next-generation embedded products, home-grown in the UK.” – CEO of AND Technology Research, Dr Nicola Wheeler-Thorn

The Embedded Accelerator – a new programme built by AND Technology Research (ANDtr) to help electronics innovators create a product that will scale effectively – opens for applications today. Designed specifically for embedded electronics, the intensive 12-week programme offers up to £25,000 match-funding prototype development, access to ANDtr’s pro-grade electronics lab and 3D printing, and mentorship from leading engineers, academics and business strategists, with over 400 years collective experience. 

97% of hardware startups miss initial deadlines, and 70% fail to deliver a viable product at all. The Embedded Accelerator aims to solve this problem, setting itself apart from existing programmes thanks to a range of factors, including:

• Mentors with a high degree of specificity for embedded electronics start-ups
• Design-for-manufacture and supply chain support 
• Up to £25,000 match-funded prototype development – ANDtr will contribute two-thirds of the development costs
• Boutique co-lab space
• Rapid prototyping and 3D printing

The programme will feature workshops from the following collaborators and more:

• Carol Balfour at Neucin Design – The Secret to Good Industrial Design 
• Soma Polonkai at Arrow Electronics – BoM to Business Case
• Jack Ellum at ARISE, Anglia Ruskin University – Supporting Innovation 
• Stacey Cockram – Showcasing Tech The Right Way 
• Thomas Wells at Frazier and Deeter London – Investments and Exits
• Angela Holtam at Thickbroom – Accounting & Financial Fundamental 
• Dr. Marcel Dissel – The key to value selling 
• James Tingay at Eurofins Electrical & Electronics UK – Compliance in a nutshell

Furthermore, a distinguished line up of mentors will each be offering 1:1 bookable online sessions. 

From manufacturing to medtech and femtech, any sector application is welcome. To be eligible, innovators must be:

• UK-based
• Developing an embedded electronics product (Technology Readiness Level 2 or higher)
• A start-up, researcher, or SME
• Ambitious about investment and commercial growth  

Cohort members can expect to leave the accelerator with: 

• A  manufacturable prototype
• Validated BoM (bill of materials) and supply-chain introductions
• An investor-ready pitch and demo

Commenting on the launch, CEO of ANDtr, Dr Nicola Wheeler-Thorn said: “The UK’s electronics start-up economy is bursting at the seams with brilliant ideas, but so many don’t make it past the functional proof of concept stage. Our mission is to change this by giving a new cohort access to expert mentors, workshops, a pro-grade electronics lab, funding and more. Together, we can boost the embedded electronics start-up economy with a wave of next-generation embedded products, home-grown in the UK. We’ll be on hand to provide real-world support every step of the way. The success of these start-ups will become a personal passion for us all, including the mentors, so we are already looking forward to seeing what this cohort has to offer.”

ANDtr itself as an organisation brings over 45 years of experience to the table and will provide the know-how to avoid common pitfalls and the expertise to ensure chosen products will be developed through capable hands, giving potential investors confidence.

Also commenting on the launch, Founder of ANDtr, Dr Valerie Lynch, added: “There is a burning need for UK electronics innovation, now more than ever before. We must share our resources and best minds to collaborate and help nurture the next generation of start-ups in this space. And that’s exactly what we’re doing here. Most embedded tech startups fail because their products won’t scale; we can help fix that and foster the ambition to take innovators from idea to market.”

 

Cohort places are limited. Apply here: https://andtr.com/apply. 

Read more about The Embedded Accelerator here:  https://andtr.com/accelerator