KQ Labs opens applications for early stage data-driven health start-ups for its fourth annual accelerator programme KQ Labs, a programme delivered by the Francis Crick Institute and funded by LifeArc, is now open for applications. Early- stage data-driven health companies are invited to apply via www.kqlabs.com.

LONDON, UK, 17 May 2021- KQ Labs, an accelerator programme for high growth potential companies in the area of data-driven health, is now accepting applications for its fourth cohort. The programme will kick off in late October and culminate in a Demo Day in March 2022.

Run by the Francis Crick Institute and funded by LifeArc, the KQ Labs accelerator programme is designed for early-stage data-driven health entrepreneurs looking for support to validate their ideas and develop their business goals in a supportive and enriching environment. KQ Labs provides a unique customised framework with a five-month accelerator programme entirely focused on data-driven health. Up to ten selected companies will each be offered funding (£40k) in the form of a convertible loan, a training programme with weekly workshops from experts tailored to digital health, introductions to investors and corporates, and mentoring by a hand-picked network of experts. The core programme content will be delivered virtually, supplemented with in-person or hybrid networking opportunities if circumstances allow. The virtual delivery of the core programme is aimed to facilitate participation from companies all over the UK.

Application criteria

The programme is open to start-ups who have:

• a focus on areas which have the potential to have a significant impact on health, and where use of data is a core part of the business model
• two or more founders or team members
• a Minimum Viable Product, prototype or proof of concept
• an early stage company (pre-series A)
• a team based in the UK
• the start-up’s legal entity must be UK-based

The deadline for applications is mid-day on 20 July 2021. For further information and to apply, please visit www.kqlabs.com

Hear from our founders and partners:

“KQ Labs was a remarkably supportive training ground for our next steps as a healthcare startup. Our mentors fostered a collegial atmosphere where knowledge-sharing and collaboration with other startups was encouraged, and the quality of speakers and workshops was hugely impressive. We’ve certainly made strides forward since starting our journey at KQ Labs” – Shivani Lamba, CEO of Brightlobe and KQ Labs participant

“KQ labs has helped us to grow our network, to uncover “unknown unknowns” and to map our “known unknowns”. We made tremendous progress during the program, which helped me steer the company towards our true north. The quality of our mentors (both on a professional and personal level) was invaluable, and they will be part of us for the foreseeable future.”- Jordi Fernandez, Benetalk CEO and KQ Labs participant

Barbara Domayne-Hayman, Entrepreneur in Residence at the Crick who leads the KQ Labs programme, said: “After having had three amazing cohorts of talented start-ups through our KQ Labs programme, I’m looking forward to meeting the applicants for our cohort #4. We are excited about the level of innovation happening in the space and continue to welcome start-ups from any area of data driven health. We are very grateful for the continuing support for the overall KQ Labs programme from LifeArc, which we appreciate enormously”.

Veronique Birault, Director of Translation at the Crick, said: “We are delighted by the continuing success of KQ Labs, and we are hugely grateful to all of the people and organisations who share our commitment to building the data-driven health ecosystem, who support KQ Labs through our workshops, mentoring and enabling the startups to build their networks.”

Clare Terlouw, Head of LifeArc Ventures, said:“LifeArc plays a vital role in advancing medical research through funding, advice and scientific expertise to translate early discoveries into patient benefit. We have been inspired by the strength of innovation seen in the earlier waves of the programme and we are pleased to be funding the next cohort. The programme provides a range of support to the participants, including on-going relationships with mentors and access to new networks. This hugely benefits the entrepreneurs as they tackle significant healthcare challenges with the critical support of KQ Labs, the Francis Crick Institute and partners like LifeArc.”

For further information, please contact:

Emma Fox
Programme Manager for KQ Labs
The Francis Crick Institute
emma.fox@crick.ac.uk