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Sussex Innovation, the University's business incubator, has announced AccelerateTech, a competition for early-stage businesses with unique ideas leveraging deep tech. The winning company will receive a grand prize acceleration package worth £20,000 – including a free office for a whole year.

What is “Deep Tech”?

Deep Tech ventures are rooted in fundamental science, technology and engineering breakthroughs, with applications including:

• Life Sciences: novel therapeutics, diagnostics and synthetic biology
• Physical Sciences: advanced materials, photonics, quantum technologies and optical systems
• Engineering: robotics, autonomous systems, sensor and control technologies
• Informatics: large data models, AI for industrial and hard science applications
• CleanTech: energy transition, sustainable agriculture, circular materials and environmental monitoring

At a time when the UK government is investing heavily in the country’s AI and quantum industries as part of its innovation strategy, Sussex Innovation is focused on ensuring that the region’s strong research base translates into a more resilient local economy. Deep tech ventures take on average two to three times longer to commercialise than software startups, needing unique support.

“We know that all too often in the UK, ventures built on genuinely groundbreaking IP can fall through the gaps,” said Nigel Lambe, Chief Executive of Sussex Innovation. “They aren’t yet mature enough for venture capital to take an interest, and they’re too technically complex for generalist tech accelerators to serve well.

“We’ve designed our accelerator programme to help bridge the gap, bringing together a community with both the expertise and commercial experience to help some of these big ideas get to the next stage of growth.”

AccelerateTech Competition Details

AccelerateTech is open to any early-stage deep tech venture based in Sussex, and the winner will be judged according to three parameters that are critical for growth: ambition, innovation and scalability.

The winning venture will receive a high impact 12-month acceleration prize, which includes:

• One year of free tenancy membership with Sussex Innovation, including office space for a small team with on-site car parking, utilities and concierge service included.
• A place on Sussex Innovation’s new Tech Accelerator programme, providing the tools, tech industry mentoring and strategic advice to scale.
• Membership of a monthly marketing club for peer-to-peer connections, advice and mentorship.
• Exclusive membership benefits and discounts from retail, hospitality and enterprise service partners.

In addition, all finalists will win a place alongside the winner on the Tech Accelerator programme.

Applications must be made before 22nd May at the competition page, with the winners announced following a final interview in June 2026.