What is an embedded tech accelerator? How to turn ideas into physical reality

Developing an embedded electronic product (smart wearables, IoT devices, medtech gadgets, etc.) requires significant time, capital and expertise. The journey from vision to reality will inevitably twist and turn. For instance, hardware development is notoriously complex: 97% of hardware startups miss initial deadlines, and 70% fail to deliver a viable product at all. At the same time, early-stage investment in hardware is down (around 14% year-on-year), making fundraising harder than ever. For those looking to beat the odds in a tough market and stay ahead of deadlines, an accelerator can open up a world of opportunity.

You need to be able to answer two questions at any given stage:

1. How do we know this can be manufactured/replicated?
2. How do we know this will meet the regulatory requirements?

An embedded tech accelerator helps answer these questions confidently; it provides UK innovators with the resources, funding, and expertise to build and scale their electronic products. You get support from people who have been there and done it.

“Embedded technology” is simply put, electronics with software embedded within. It refers to electronic hardware paired with dedicated software operating behind the scenes inside a product. It’s the invisible microcontrollers, sensors and software that is integrated into devices to perform dedicated functions. For example, a Bluetooth module runs embedded software that processes data, manages signals, and controls the transfer 

of information to hardware devices. You’ll find embedded technology in all sorts, from wearables to cameras, medical imaging to farming equipment. 

An embedded tech accelerator like ours at ANDTr is a specialised support programme focused on physical electronics PCB (printed circuit board) design, as well as the software used to control the electronics. Unlike generic accelerators, an embedded-focused accelerator emphasises product development. It offers prototyping facilities, engineering guidance and industry mentors who understand electronics, manufacturing and the strict requirements of regulated devices. In short, it helps turn a vision into a physical reality, moving people towards production. Who are embedded tech accelerators for?

Embedded tech accelerators are ideal for companies with at least one piece of embedded tech in their product range. Maybe that’s a wearable, industrial controller, remote monitoring device, or anything IoT. 

The Embedded Accelerator by ANDTr is what it says on the tin; It’s built for UK-based innovators working on embedded electronics. It’s a great fit if you are:

• A startup, SME or academic spinout with a disruptive hardware concept
• Building an embedded electronics product that’s TRL 2 or higher
• Ambitious about growth and scale
• Seeking non-dilutive support (we offer matched funding via licensing, not equity)

From medtech and femtech to IoT and industrial automation, any sector is welcome as long as the innovation is in embedded electronics. Pre-seed funding is helpful but not required – the programme is designed to help bridge the gap to your next investment round.

Most tech accelerators select their cohort through a combination of interviews and applications. (To apply for ANDTr’s embedded tech accelerator, you can click here). After that, what’s offered depends on the programme, but you can typically expect a tech accelerator to be fixed‑term (usually between 10 weeks to 6 months), with structured mentorship, education, a plan for rapid acceleration and cohort peer learning. Our programme is 12 weeks-long, and by the end, each member should have an improved prototype built with manufacturing in mind, plus a clear development and funding roadmap.

Many tech accelerators offer funding in exchange for equity – and even the “free” ones often take on large cohorts, with paid or equity-diluting phases down the line. The Embedded Accelerator by ANDTr is different. We’re equity-free from start to finish, and we work with a small, focused cohort. Instead of equity, we offer matched funding (up to £25,000) to co-develop your prototype. This investment comes via a technology licensing agreement, so it’s non-dilutive.

Building embedded products alone or in a generic accelerator is much harder. There are lots of pitfalls specific to embedded technologies. Manufacturing complexity, parts becoming obsolete, compliance by design, and scalability are all issues that other tech startups, such as SaaS products, don’t face. In practice, this means 60% of IoT startups often stall after a Proof of Concept (POC).

Embedded tech accelerators like ours exist to de-risk the journey. Expert mentors can spot design issues early (especially around manufacturing and compliance) so you don’t head for a dead end. Compared to generic tech programmes, you gain deep domain expertise – people who’ve shipped millions of micro:bit boards or led medtech rollouts are in your corner, for example. The physical ANDTr Lab also means you don’t waste time sourcing tools; you hit the ground running. 

The Embedded Accelerator by ANDTr provides not just general business support, but sets members up with a clear path to manufacturing, with answers to investor questions confidently mapped out.

In an accelerator trial, ANDTr helped Haptiv8 – the wearable healthtech startup – to develop a Smart Insole for tip-toe walkers. Current treatments for a sub-optimal walking gait cost the NHS £83k per child by the age of 12. Haptiv8’s sensory insole, which encourages children to walk on their heels, would only cost £2k per child by the same time. 

The Embedded Accelerator helped founder Niki Allen to develop the custom electronics that enabled market validation, as well as to de-risk scalability and compliance. From there, a Proof of Concept was tested with a focus group of patients, which showed significant improvements to gait and posture. 

The impact? Haptiv8 raised seed investment and achieved a £1.5 million post-money valuation..

It shows how an embedded tech accelerator is a springboard for startups, and specifically how ANDTr’s years of expertise can help you level up. By combining funding, facilities and mentorship, we help teams move their electronic products from prototype to production faster and smarter.

No equity taken: Our matched funding is provided via a technology license rather than equity. You keep 100% ownership of your startup.

Rapid prototyping focus: We prioritise speed, but not at the cost of quality. We use our proprietary tech to speed up development with simple and easy license agreements, which means we can build a prototype in as little as two weeks. With access to the lab, including 3D printers on-site, you can iterate products in days. Early prototyping pays off – high-quality prototypes secure better customer trust and reduce long-term costs.

Design-for-manufacture (DFM) expertise: From day one, you’ll design with production in mind. Our experts have deep manufacturing knowledge, ensuring your electronics are ready for scale. We focus on answering the hard questions around costs of manufacturing, parts, assembly, production yields and more. This avoids late-stage redesigns that often derail projects.

Extensive mentoring: ANDTr’s mentors bring over 400 years of collective experience across embedded tech manufacturing, business strategy, and academic research. Our cohort model ensures every participant benefits from meaningful, one-to-one guidance, giving founders direct access to the insights and feedback that accelerate real-world growth.

Regulatory & compliance foresight: Unlike general accelerators, we understand regulated markets. Our leadership and mentors include award-winning experts in electronics R&D and medical device validation. This means you factor in safety standards and certification requirements early.

Cohort-to-cohort impact: We reinvest profits to keep the program self-sustaining. Each cohort benefits from a growing pool of matched funding and long-term investor relationships.

Get notified about applications to join ANDTr’s next cohort and take your embedded tech startup to the next level.

• Embedded tech accelerators provide specialised support for startups building electronics with embedded software, helping bridge the gap from prototype to production.
• They reduce risk by tackling specific challenges such as manufacturing, compliance, and supply chain early in the journey.
• The Embedded Accelerator by ANDTr offers this in the UK with incredible embedded tech mentors, matched non-dilutive funding, and an on-site working space. 

Find out more about The Embedded Accelerator by ANTr here and get notified about applications opening.