Conception X

Our January update 🚨 In this issue: 🧮 🤯 A story about organoids that can perform simple robotic control tasks (David Yacoub, Robert C.), bioshields that detect and neutralise emerging pathogens in real time (Dr. Dan Todd, Josie Todd, InvenireX), games that engage in infinite natural dialogue (Yann Frachi🔜 CogX Summit London, OVOMIND) and a new generation of AI that deals with problems software never could (Sophia Kalanovska, Charles Higgins, Tromero). 🧱 💪 Ureaka transforms CO2 into strong and durable bio-concrete using a closed loop carbon capture and storage process. PreSeed Now caught up with University of Strathclyde founder Philip Salter (Cohort 7) to learn more. Full story ⬇️ 👩🏻💻 Applications for Cohort 8 close this week❗Do you know a talented PhD student who should be in it? Tell us more or share this update with our application link 🔗 More inside 👇 https://lnkd.in/dFAdxy9B

Big news: we're joining forces with IQ Capital, Silicon Catalyst.UK, XTX Ventures, Barclays Eagle Labs and Vaire Computing to bring Future of Computing 2025 to London this 26 March! 🇬🇧 The future belongs to neuromorphic chips that mimic the human brain, photonic chips that harness light for ultra-fast processing and quantum chips that unlock unprecedented computational power. We’re bringing together all the key European players building and investing in the space to discuss how Europe can accelerate this shift. 📍 Date: March 26, 2025, 1 - 9 pm 🏡 Venue: Barclays in London 🔗 Sign up: Link in the comments – Secure your spot now! Here's what to expect: 🔹 200 startup founders, investors and future of computing industry leaders 🔹 25 demos from Europe’s most promising computing startups 🔹 High-calibre networking with top experts and decision-makers We have confirmed attendance from leading computing startups, including: Conception X alumni 👇 Teja Potocnik (Nanomation) 🚀 Tanya Mangoma M. (HyperCIM) Alexander Montgomerie-Corcoran (Heronic Technologies) Robert C. & David Yacoub (Omnibio) ☕️✨ Rodolfo Rosini (Vaire Computing) + Fractile, Optalysys, Universal Quantum, Oriole Networks, Wave Photonics, ATLANT 3D, VyperCore, RED Semiconductor, Equal1, Blueshift Memory, Apitronix Semiconductor – and more to be announced soon

Excellence at #FEUP/LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy through the research of Joana Loureiro, Maria do Carmo Pereira and their newly created startup BNanoTech, Lda, advanced further with the investment from XTX Ventures and support from the Conception X programme in which FEUP participates.👏🏻 Read more below and the attached article👇

Who makes the best leader of a university #spinout? Academics have groundbreaking ideas for companies based on their research, but their teaching obligations don't always go hand-in-hand with building a company. Should entrepreneurs be brought in to lead a spinout instead? Here is what the experts say. Thanks to Riam Kanso, of Conception X, Miles Kirby, of Deeptech Labs, and Keong Chan, of Out The Back Ventures, for sharing their thoughts: https://lnkd.in/eYxgVjYG

We are recruiting across Europe 💥 For our Cohort 8, launching this March, we're looking for 100 PhDs who want to create impact with their research and translate it into technologies that can improve lives, reshape industries and regenerate the planet. If you’d like to meet our team and hear from PhDs who've been on this journey before you, here’s where you can find us this month: 🟣 Our FINAL Cohort 8 Discovery Session – open to all PhDs, no matter where you're based – is on 20 January, 12-1pm (UK time). 📍 Online 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dJsUkYYB 🟣 For PhDs in Manchester, we're hosting a workshop with our partner Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester on 21 January, 3-4.30pm. 📍 In person 👉 Sign up link (a few spots left): https://lnkd.in/dZbVcAMh 🟣 We're joining forces with Crick Science Entrepreneur Network (CSEN) at the The Francis Crick Institute to bring you a session on how to turn your PhD into a startup, led by CX Programme and Portfolio Manager Olivia Ash and some of our most successful PhD founders. 📌 27 January from 6pm – online 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dmNjkMGm 🟣 For UK-based PhDs working on hydrogen innovation – this event is where you can learn more about our partnership with the Henry Royce Institute, and how we can help you translate your research. 📌 29 January, 12-1pm – online 👉 Sign up: https://lnkd.in/dPBQJUzD 🟣 Open to all: our CSO Carrie Baptist will be speaking at the King's Entrepreneurship Lab in Cambridge as part of a panel on venture building. Also featuring: Arta Selmani, co-founder of Mimicrete (Conception X Cohort 3) & Gemma Bale, Programme Director at Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA). 📌 30 January, 5.30-7pm – in person 👉 Tickets here: https://lnkd.in/d96DN4ut We're excited to meet you! *Applications close on 2 February*

Concrete is one of the (literal) building blocks of the modern world, and yet it comes with environmental impacts that can be difficult to avoid. But what if at least some of the negative impact could be removed by creating concrete in a new way? That’s what Scottish startup Ureaka is working on with its simple-sounding pitch: “We turn CO2 into concrete.” “Ureaka makes carbon-negative bio-concrete,” explains founder Philip Salter. CO2 is stored inside the concrete as part of the production process.  “We remove the inherently high carbon footprint of concrete, and we're also storing carbon in it.” The selling points here are that captured CO2 can be transformed into strong and durable bio-concrete, which the startup says is up to 30% lighter than conventional concrete, with equivalent strength. Read on for full details 👉 https://lnkd.in/e34NdkYB

Some of the most amazing ideas, innovations and cutting-edge research come to life in universities. But how to then get that research out of the lab, applied, scaled-up and delivering impact is a challenge to be overcome. At our recent OSEF we were so fortunate to have Mairi Gibbs, CEO, Oxford University Innovation; Riam Kanso, CEO, Conception X; Matthew Ritchie, Co-founder and CFO, Dendra; and Alan D. Roth, CEO, Oxford Drug Design on hand to tackle that very question in a riveting discussion about deep tech entrepreneurship. Their top tips: ✔️ Change the academic mindset ✔️Learn how to deal with regulation ✔️Navigate the landscape of finance ✔️Network with energy and purpose So if you are embarking on a deep tech venture read on and pay heed. Read Maria's blog at https://oxsbs.link/400qKFK Oxford Saïd Entrepreneurship Centre Maria Zubeldia Diaz

🔥 Concinnity Genetics (Cohort 4) just raised £3 million to reduce side effects in gene and cell therapies with its novel RNA-based control mechanisms. The round was led by Eos, with participation from Scottish Enterprise, Old College Capital and Maven Capital Partners. One-off gene therapies have taken centre stage in recent years, promising cures for intractable diseases by addressing their root causes – through the introduction of therapeutic genes into patients’ cells. Yet, their progress has been hindered by reports of severe side effects, including death and liver failure. The Concinnity team has developed a switch to control and turn gene therapies off when active in the wrong cells – to make them safer and effective. PhD founders Jessica Birt and Matthew Dale – from the lab of Professor Susan Rosser and the UKRI UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology at the The University of Edinburgh – launched Concinnity at Conception X, and they combine deep expertise across synthetic biology and machine learning. Read more in The Times 👇 https://lnkd.in/g3Kwc6C6

Our final update for 2024 is here 🚨 In this issue: 🔥🚗 Announcing our second exit – Cohort 3 Kapacity.io has been acquired by EnergyHub. The Helsinki-based startup has been on a mission to decarbonise the energy system, making heat pumps smarter through demand response optimisation. The acquisition will allow them to also expand into EVs, battery storage and thermostats across Europe. (Jaakko Rauhala, Sonja Salo, Rami E.) 🛸📡 PhD founder Matthew Moore has developed a millimetre wave radar that combines recent advances in semiconductors with lightweight proprietary machine learning models to accurately detect small drones in all weather conditions at speed – and identify them with 99.9% accuracy. Cohort 6 DroneTector is currently raising. More details 👇 🎙️🧠 Psyrin (Cohort 5) has raised $1 million in a pre-seed round led by 2048 Ventures, with participation from Concept Ventures and Spacecadet, for its new generation of voice biomarkers that enable the detection and monitoring of serious mental illness early. Read all about its first B2C product that analyses recorded voice to identify signs of neurodivergence in minutes. (Julianna Oláh, Edwin Wong, Raheem Chaudhry) And more 👇 https://lnkd.in/d-QQyp22

🚨 We're joining forces with the Henry Royce Institute's Accelerator to support 10 future PhD founders developing new materials that could remove barriers to hydrogen adoption and speed up the transition to cleaner energy systems. 🫧💧 If you're a PhD working on materials research with potential applications across the hydrogen supply chain, including: ✅ production in a post-fossil fuels world (e.g. catalysts, electrodes and membranes to improve performance) ✅ storage (e.g. materials capable of handling extreme temperatures and pressures) ✅ distribution (e.g. compressor materials, coatings and sensors to move and monitor hydrogen through existing gas network) ✅ end-use (e.g. materials capable of handling high-temperature combustion environments) We'd like to hear from you 🫵 ⏳ Recruitment is already underway – learn more about our venture creation programme and apply by 2 February 👉  https://lnkd.in/diYN8Cu3 If selected, you'd join our Cohort 8 – launching in March 2025 – and receive commercialisation training, coaching and introductions to investors through Conception X, as well as additional support and connections through the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator (RHA) – including guidance from hydrogen industry experts, technical advisors and specialist investors to accelerate the development of your technology. Our CEO Riam Kanso said: “At Conception X, we are committed to discovering and supporting the next generation of PhD founders building transformative technologies that could permanently solve critical challenges impacting humanity, including accelerating decarbonisation. We’re excited to partner with the RHA to identify and prepare top technical founders who can drive this transition.” Prof. David Knowles FREng, CEO of the Henry Royce Institute, said: “We are looking forward to the opportunity to work with Conception X, through the RHA, to support translation of next generation material innovation against national priorities to address our energy transition. We’re especially keen to support a new cohort of researchers developing the skills required to translate science into investable, high-impact commercial propositions.” We're hosting a virtual Discovery Session on 8 January from 2pm – for PhD students from any UK university who are interested in hydrogen energy commercialisation. Sign up here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eQTr-kNn