XTX Ventures backs Conception X venture programme to support early-stage PhD startups

A machine learning-focussed venture investor has committed to support PhD deeptech ventures.

XTX Ventures has committed to supporting Conception X, the UK’s leading PhD deeptech venture programme, over the next three years, and is looking to invest more than £3 million in the most promising startups tackling global issues such as climate and health.

The partnership between Conception X and XTX Ventures will support outstanding founders from leading institutions across the UK, including PhD startups emerging from the Northern Deeptech Hub, which was launched by Conception X in early 2022 in collaboration with Durham University, Newcastle University and Northumbria University. Other universities represented in the Conception X Academic Advisory Board include University College London, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London.

XTX Ventures will fund 6-12 companies per cohort over the next three cohorts, focusing on transformative areas of deep technology – including AI, quantum computing, robotics and biotechnology – with a typical cheque size of £100,000. The goal is to accelerate the development of the UK deeptech ecosystem and grow the UK’s global deeptech footprint by bringing together leading accelerators, academics, investors and startups, further supporting the role of universities as the birthplace of innovation in the process.
“Conception X is committed to harnessing the power of deep technology to solve global problems. We are excited to work with XTX Ventures to support more PhD venture scientists across the UK and help them build the companies of the future,” Conception X CEO Riam Kanso says.

“We are delighted to be supporting the UK deep tech ecosystem and founders from leading institutions across the UK through our partnership with Conception X and their venture programme. We look forward to engaging with, and supporting, startups solving global challenges over the next few years,” Alexandre Perrin, Head of Ventures at XTX Ventures, says.

Reproduced with thanks to XTX.

Newcastle University Doctoral College