1. Affordable memberships: This includes community support, meeting rooms, mentoring, events, talks, caffiene and no hidden costs, allowing the best start for you & your business. Find out more about our membership here.
There is already a substantial network of incubators and business support systems in place to assist cleantech businesses in and around the capital. A list of those that we are aware of is provided below.
In addition to this network, LCC has implemented a specific and very valuable initiative to supplement the existing services and this is the Mentoring Programme. The Mentoring Programme is a free service which seeks to bring together experienced professionals who are willing to assist early stage cleantech businesses with such organisations who are looking for assistance.
Incubators and support service networks in and around London to assist early stage companies and those seeking support in achieving their growth aspirations:
EcoMachines Incubator (https://www.ecomachinesventures.com)
EcoMachines Ventures is the UK’s first seed funding Incubator focused exclusively on the high-value manufacturing and advanced engineering space. The primary market focus is on the Automotive, Powergen, Renewables and Industrial efficiency spaces. EcoMachines Incubator also provides:
• Seed funding of up to £100,000 for companies entering the Accelerator programme
• A 9 month Accelerator programme specifically designed for hardware/advanced manufacturing start-ups
• Potential follow-on funding of up to £500,000 for successful Accelerator graduates
• Access to a truly global industrial and investor network including in key emerging economies
• Access to a strong mentor and investor network
• Access to specialist software, equipment, laboratory and workshop space through our industry partners
• Support in accessing UK and other grant sources
We are open for applications for the Accelerator programme starting in November 2013!
Bathtub2Boardroom (https://www.bathtub2boardroom.com/)
We are a charity with a mission to make starting a business affordable, accessible and supported for ALL and to ensure the skills required to become an entrepreneur are an integral part of education. We do this in 3 ways:
2. The Bathtub Bursary: We remove any financial barrier for those who haven’t had natural access to the opportunities to start a business. Find out more about the Bathtub Bursary here.
3. Inspiring the next generation: We offer students unprecedented access to startups, improving their employability and understanding of opportunities beyond education.
London Metropolitan Accelerator (https://www.accelerator-london.com/)
Accelerator is a specialist business incubator in Shoreditch, the heart of London’s ICT and digital media community. We specialise in business development programs for high value, innovative, growing businesses in information and communication technology, interactive media, e-learning and design.
Imperial White City Incubator (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/enterprise/staff/creating-a-spinout-company/imperial-white-city-incubator/)
The Imperial Incubator is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, providing office and laboratory space for early-stage companies. The two-storey 18,000 square foot Incubator facility contains 10 laboratories, 12 offices, meeting rooms and break-out areas. This state of the art premises is conveniently located in London’s White City, Zone 2, making it an ideal location for young start-up companies focused on science and technology..
Level 39 Canary Wharf (https://www.level39.co/)
Level39 at Canary Wharf: Europe’s largest accelerator space for finance and retail technology start-ups. Level39 is a sophisticated office, event and social space that will allow companies to create, test and market their products to some of the world’s largest and most influential technology buyers, investors and mentors. The aim is to fuse London’s finance and technology sectors, enhancing London’s position as the digital capital of Europe and transforming the financial services sector for the better.
London Bioscience Innovation Centre (https://www.lbic.com/)
The London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC) provides a focus for life sciences activity in the UK capital, offering laboratory and office facilities of an exceptionally high standard and a professional front door that cannot fail to impress. Owned by the prestigious Royal Veterinary College, LBIC is home to over 40 biotechnology and life science companies in central London, including small start-ups and more established players.
The Trampery (https://thetrampery.com/)
The Trampery was Shoreditch’s very first shared workspace, founded by technology entrepreneur Charles Armstrong in 2009. It expanded to its Bevenden Street site in 2011 which is now home to 20 of London’s hottest technology businesses, with a total of 60 people plus a 2,500sqft event space hosting a variety of conferences, press launches and receptions. Further buildings are opening in London during 2012-13.
Innovation Warehouse (https://www.innovationwarehouse.org/)
Innovation Warehouse started in 2010 as a coworking and incubation community for digital high-growth startup businesses in London. The idea was brought to life by a group of entrepreneurs and angel investors, in collaboration with the City of London Corporation. In May 2011, we moved to our current location, Farringdon, in the first floor above the historical Smithfield Market. We sit between St Paul’s, Chancery Lane, Moorgate, Farringdon and Barbican underground stations, and the office is just a 10 minute walk to the famed ‘Silicon Roundabout’ area in Old Street. The 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) open plan office area comprises permanent and hot-desks and private offices, meeting rooms as well as a very popular events space. What sets us apart is our successful WISE programme which mentors startups toward investment-readiness.
Impact Hub London (https://london.impacthub.net/)
The HUB is about the power of innovation through collaboration. We believe there is no shortage of good ideas to solve the issues of our time. But there is an acute lack of collaboration and support structures to help make them happen. The HUB was founded to address this need. HUB King’s Cross is part of this global network of spaces and that combine the best of a trusted community, innovation lab, business incubator and the comforts of home. Spaces with all the tools and trimmings needed to grow and develop innovative ventures for the world. But above all, spaces for meaningful encounters, exchange and inspiration, full of diverse people doing amazing things. The idea has been spreading like wildfire and resulted in the emergence of a global movement. To date, there are 25+ open HUBs and many more in the making, from London to San Francisco, Johannesburg, Melbourne and Sao Paulo.
Bethnal Green Ventures (https://bethnalgreenventures.com/)
Bethnal Green Ventures is an accelerator programme for technology startups working on things that matter. Twice a year, we select a group of very early stage companies and provide them with £15,000 of investment and a three month programme of support based in central London.
Whitechapel Enterprise Hub (http://www.whitechapelcentre.com/home.php)
We are a London-based, not-for-profit support agency for small businesses. We are committed to helping anyone who wants to get started in business unlock their entrepreneurial talent. And we support existing businesses to grow and prosper. London Small Business Centre is the oldest surviving business support agency in the UK. Every year we help 300 new businesses to start up. We invest in training for over 1,000 people, and we lend 2 million in funds to entrepreneurs to start-up or expand. For five east London boroughs; Tower Hamlets, Newham, Havering, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham as well as the City of London, we’re the first port of call for people to gain comprehensive business support, access to finance and one-to-one advice about every step of the business journey. Additionally the introduction of some pan-London programmes has enabled us to support businesses across London in the last couple of years.
The Bakery London (https://thebakery.com)
If you’re a tech company ready for revenue, if you need a trial with a global brand, access to millions of customers, and the best marketing and creative expertise then you should get in touch. Whilst other accelerators mainly offer access to investment and mentoring, The Bakery offers access to markets, client contracts and revenues, working directly with some of the world’s biggest brands and their agencies. We are looking for the most amazing technology companies in the world, who can help our brands and agencies solve their marketing challenges with great technology.
Sustainable Ventures, Bridges & Workspaces https://www.sustainableworkspaces.co.uk/
As serial entrepreneurs we were struggling to find suitable space to grow our sustainable start-ups. So in 2015 we opened our first space Sustainable Bridges. One year later we had created the highest concentration of sustainable start-ups in the UK. Our community members are like-minded as they are all changing the world for the better. To further strengthen our collaborative benefits we have cultivated specific groupings of start-ups with the same main stakeholders, including sustainable transport, buildings, food, energy and textiles.
IDEALondon https://www.idealondon.co.uk/
IDEALondon is a workspace and innovation centre in the heart of Shoreditch — home to some of the most ambitious and flourishing new businesses in London’s tech city. A partnership of UCL, and Capital Enterprise, IDEALondon is here to give startups the space and support they need to grow — whether it’s access to funding, access to London’s best talent, expert advice from our partners, or just the space to get to work — all at an affordable rate and without asking for equity in return.
Hatch Enterprise https://hatchenterprise.org
Hatch’s mission is to support diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs to test, start and grow their ventures. We have a range of programmes for businesses at different stages, and for different groups of entrepreneurs (including female founders, young entrepreneurs, and social entrepreneurs). We also have an enterprise hub near Elephant and Castle where we have workspace available.
Plus X Innovation https://www.plusxinnovation.com
We create collaborative spaces and provide support for businesses driving positive impact. Through inspiring workspaces, state-of-the-art specialist facilities, innovation programmes for any size of business, and extensive member events, our spaces are designed for you to collaborate and make a difference.
Local Enterprise Partnership for London https://lep.london/funding-opportunities
The London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP) is the local enterprise partnership for London. The LEAP brings entrepreneurs and business together with the Mayoralty and London Councils to identify strategic actions to support and lead economic growth and job creation in the capital.
Grow London Local https://www.growlondonlocal.london/
The Grow London Local digital platform and local Business Support Managers are dedicated to helping London’s small business owners.
No matter where you’re based in London, you’ll find relevant support and guidance on business planning, sales and marketing and much more, as well as opportunities to connect with like-minded business owners.
London Open Workspaces https://maps.london.gov.uk/workspaces/
This map is an interactive guide to London’s incubators and co-working spaces alongside other start-up workspaces, artists’ studios and maker-spaces.
The London Open Workspaces map makes the locations and services of over 400 workspaces publicly available and is an invaluable resource for anyone with an idea that has outgrown their kitchen table.
Geovation https://geovation.uk/
Backed by years of industry experience and a network that reaches far and wide, we are a community of location-data and proptech collaborators looking to make positive change happen. Since its inception in 2009 Geovation has become a leading proponent of the value of open innovation in the public sector. After opening its first space in summer 2015, Geovation has grown to support a community of more than 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors, developers, academics, students and corporate innovators. Our accelerators provide startups up to £20,000 in grant funding, access to data, experienced product development capabilities, geospatial expertise from Ordnance Survey and land and property insight from HM Land Registry, as well as business mentorship and coaching to help prepare for presenting to investors from the wider team and our partners.
WeWork Growth Campus (https://www.wework.com/en-GB/info/wework-growth-campus-uk)
WeWork’s Growth Campus initiative is a £15M investment in space and resources specifically aiming to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the UK post-COVID. With its main hub in Central London and campuses around the UK, the Growth Campus gathers a whole entrepreneurial community under one umbrella. Here you find the best people,
products, and practices to help your startup grow. Startups, scaleups, non-profits, accelerators, investors and educators can apply for a discount of up to 75% on membership fees.
Carbon13 (https://carbonthirteen.com)
Founders join our programmes to build climate startups that solve the urgent challenges in Net Zero. A climate startup is a scalable venture looking to disrupt an industry with a solution that also reduces or removes emissions. As our startups scale, so does their impact on emissions – in fact every startup we invest in is aiming for net 10 million tonnes of emissions reduction per year when at scale.
ClimAccelerator (https://climaccelerator.climate-kic.org/)
With the support of partner organisations, we run theme- and place-based ClimAccelerators in local contexts around the world. These programmes are delivered successfully and autonomously using our open-sourced, proven methodology, shaped over 10+ years of experience.
Once start-ups have successfully completed the programme, EIT Climate-KIC invests in the most promising climate companies that can demonstrate the highest impact potential. We offer select Stage 2 ClimAccelerator start-ups funding and support services in exchange for future equity.
Innovate UK Edge Global Incubator Programme: business acceleration for SMEs (https://www.innovateukedge.ukri.org/enter-new-markets/Global-Incubator-Programme)
The Global Incubator Programme is an acceleration programme for innovative SMEs to grow and scale through exploring the potential of global markets.
Net Zero Technology Centre (https://www.netzerotc.com/tech-x-clean-energy-accelerator/)
Our TechX Clean Energy Accelerator is an intensive 15-week programme for 12 innovative clean energy start-ups with clear potential to accelerate the transition to an affordable net zero energy industry.
Carbon Limiting Technologies (https://carbonlimitingtechnologies.com/incubation-support/)
CLT is the largest and most established clean tech incubator in the UK. We have helped over 350 companies launch new products and services by providing business advice, market insights and commercialisation support.
Climate -KIC Accelerator (https://www.coworkinglondon.com/listings/climate-kic-accelerator/)
Technology start-ups seldom fail on technology, they fail on commercialisation. Climate-KIC Accelerator is the only EU acceleration programme focused on climate impact by cleantech commercialisation.
The following sources set out lists of potential incubators, accelerators, entrepreneurship programmes and funding arrangements:
UK GreenTech StartUp Accelerators and Incubators (https://www.adopter.net/greentech-map)
Mohara: Accelerators in London (https://mohara.co/insights/accelerators-in-london-the-ultimate-guide/)
Incubator List (https://incubatorlist.com/top-startup-accelerators-incubators-and-vcs-in-london/)
The Top 30 Startup Incubators & Accelerators in the UK (https://altar.io/top-startup-incubators-accelerators-uk/)
Climate Innovators (https://climateinnovators.uk/resources/innovation-space/)
Entrepreneur Handbook: 153 Business Incubators For UK For Startups & Entrepreneurs (https://entrepreneurhandbook.co.uk/incubation-centres/)
Vestbee: Best Startup Accelerators And Incubators In The UK (https://www.vestbee.com/blog/articles/best-startup-accelerators-and-incubators-in-the-uk)
In addition, https://www.failory.com/startups/london-accelerators-incubators and https://startuptalky.com/uk-startup-incubators-list/ provide the following additional potential participants in the sector:
350 PPM
Abbey Road Red
Accelerator Academy
Accelerator Assembly
Activate Studio
Algorand Europe Accelerator
Alpha Deal Group
Barclays Accelerator
BLaO
Blenheim Chalcot
Blue Lake
Breed Reply
Bright Link Ventures
Capital Accelerate & Scale Tech Superstars
Capital SCF
Carbon Trust
Code First: Girls
Coinsilium Group
Collider
CyLon
Data Pitch
Deep Science Ventures
DigitalHealth.London Accelerator
Entrepreneur First
Female Founders Accelerator
FFWD
Founder Institute London
Founders Factory
Founders Forum
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Grocery Accelerator
Hangar 51
Huckletree Alpha Programme London
Hustle Accelerator
InMotion Seed Programme
InnovationRCA
Insurtech Gateway
Integrity
IoT Tribe
iStarter
JLAB Accelerator
Kinetic Investments
L Marks
La Pietra Capital
Launch22
Launchpad
Lloyd’s Lab
MarathonArtists LABs
Mashauri Limited
MDR LAB
MeWe360
Microsoft Scaleup
Milamber Ventures
Mountside Ventures
NCSC Cyber Accelerator
NCV Group LLP
NHS Innovation Accelerator
Northern Stars
OneDay.io
Outlier Ventures
Outlier Ventures Base Camp
Oxygen Accelerator
Pario Ventures
Pi Labs
Platform-X
Potential VC
Recruitment Entrepreneur
Relab
Retail Innovation Discovery by L Marks
RocketSpace
Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub
Rutech Ventures
Seedcamp
Seedcoin – Bitcoin Startup Incubator
SG Capital Partenaires
Signal Ventures
Spin Ventures
Squadron Venture Media
Startup Campus
Startupbootcamp
Sturgeon Ventures
Tech Nation Fintech
TechHub
TechItalia:Lab
Techstars London Accelerator
The Food Foundry
The London City Incubator
The ScaleUp Accelerator
Upscale
Venturr
Vizero
W2 Labs
Wayra
Zinc.VC