Applications have opened for the ninth cohort of KQ Labs, the national accelerator for data‑driven health start‑ups delivered by the Francis Crick Institute with support from Medicines Discovery Catapult and Cancer Research Horizons.
The five‑month programme will select up to ten early‑stage companies developing scalable, science‑backed solutions in AI‑driven drug discovery, digital health and precision medicine.
Participants will receive weekly workshops, expert mentoring, office hours with pharmaceutical companies and investors, and support with fundraising strategy to help de‑risk ideas and build investment‑ready businesses.
Since 2018, the first 70 companies supported by KQ Labs have raised more than £230 million. MDC joined as a strategic partner in 2025, strengthening national reach and commercial readiness for the eighth cohort.
The most recent cohort showcased its progress at the KQ Labs Demo Day on 30 June, where innovations were presented to investors, industry and ecosystem leaders. Two companies secured sponsorship from Cancer Research Horizons and three closed funding rounds during the programme.
Oli Rayner, CEO and Co‑Founder of Gramics Bio and member of the eighth cohort, said: “KQ Labs occupies a unique place in a growing TechBio ecosystem in the UK, and being part of the programme unlocked new parts of that ecosystem for us when it mattered. The workshops, talks and panels pulled in an impressive cast of leading experts and helped us develop as a team and as a company.”
He added: “The mentoring element gave us access to a number of exited biotech entrepreneurs whose street smarts and insights were highly relevant to the business we’re building and the stage we’re at. Some turned into valuable ongoing relationships, and one even went on to join our board. If you’re building a company at the intersection of tech and bio, I can’t recommend KQ Labs highly enough.”
Dr Nicola Heron, Chief Strategy Officer at Medicines Discovery Catapult, said: “The UK has world‑class talent exploring the application of advanced computational techniques to treat the most challenging diseases. KQ Labs exists to give that talent the support, networks, and commercial rigour needed to realise their potential.”
She explained: “A year into our partnership with the Crick, we have seen first‑hand what this programme unlocks for early‑stage companies, and our team at MDC is energised to support the next cohort of inspiring innovators in pushing the boundaries of possibility.”
Jo Mills, Head of Entrepreneurship and KQ Labs at the Francis Crick Institute, said: “Over 8 years, KQ Labs has nurtured some of the most exciting data‑driven health founders and technologies, spanning tools and platforms for drug discovery and development, precision medicine, and digital health.”
She added: “Ongoing support from Medicines Discovery Catapult and Cancer Research Horizons will enable us to continue this mission and continue to evolve our curated ecosystem of mentors and investors, who together provide the inspiration, expertise and connections for our portfolio of early‑stage ventures to succeed.”
Alessia Errico, Associate Director, Search and Evaluation and Entrepreneurial Programmes Lead at Cancer Research Horizons, said: “We’re proud to continue to work with KQ Labs to support pioneering data‑driven innovators to tackle some of the biggest challenges in oncology.”
She continued: “Through unlocking access to world‑class expertise, networks and assets, founders turn transformative ideas into real impact for people affected by cancer.”
