OPEN: 23 JANUARY 2023 – 6 MARCH 2023

Regional Talent Engines programme

This six-month, tailored programme supports aspiring engineering and technology entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland and Northern England. The programme is designed for upcoming business founders at the early stage of their journey, to transform great ideas into new engineering solutions. We help you to get your business off the ground and ready to pursue further growth. Applications close on 23 January 2022 for our next programme starting in March 2023.

Who is eligible?

You should:

• have some background or training in a technical area
• have an idea you can develop into your own innovation for a scalable business.
• live and intend to base your business in one of the eligible areas (e.g., Cumbria).

What sort of idea is eligible?

Your idea should be a concept that you have researched to justify its viability. You do not need to have experimental proof that it works or a working prototype yet. We can help you develop those things. If you are already at that stage or have formed a company, the innovation must only have been traded in small numbers on a trial basis to assess market or develop it further.

What do you mean by engineering?

We accept applications in all areas of engineering including, but not limited to, agricultural, digital, biomedical, fintech, mechanical, electrical, chemical, nuclear, space technology. We do not support people wanting to set up consultancy services or ideas that do not involve innovation. For example, an app needs have a novel innovation or way of using virtual reality, machine learning or IOT, or similar, rather than a service on an existing platform.

Launching your idea

The programme is designed to provide you with the practical support you need to help refine your innovation and bring your vision to life. By the end of the programme, you will be ready to seek further support for your new startup or pitch for your first investment to bring your innovation to market

As a charity, we offer equity-free funding and lifelong Enterprise Hub membership, without taking anything in return.

You’ll have access to:

• Equity-free funding of £20,000 towards living and business support costs
• Expert mentoring
• Training, roundtables, and events
• 1-2-1 coaching
• Lifelong membership of The Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub
• Lifetime access to our co-working and meeting spaces at the Taylor Centre, in central London, and the Ormeau Baths, Belfast

Contact: Lee.Gosling@raeng.org.uk to find out more or discuss eligibility.