Conception X

Conception X operates as the UK’s leading PhD deeptech venture programme. It helps PhD students and researchers launch research-backed startups across deep tech sectors including AI, quantum computing, robotics, biotechnology and healthcare. The programme has supported over 140 deep tech startups since its founding in 2018. Its portfolio companies have raised more than £57 million in capital and grants. Notable exits include Rahko—a quantum machine learning startup for drug discovery. The accelerator provides mentoring, access to investors and industry experts, innovation grant eligibility support, coaching and networking opportunities. It partners with major universities such as University College London, Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London. Recent partnerships include funding from XTX Ventures to support new cohorts of founders tackling global challenges like health. While many portfolio companies are active in life sciences/biotech/pharma/healthcare—such as GenProTex (drug target validation), GambitBio (cancer diagnostics), MindLink (digital twin for healthcare), Nci Labs (nano-drug forecasting)—Conception X itself does not develop drugs or medical products directly.