Lean Launch Programme
Leading online pre-accelerator helping teams validate their business ideas
Secure your place in our next cohort. Apply by 30th October
Lean Launch is a game-changing 10-week online customer discovery programme that allows you to rapidly test whether there is a market for your idea, product or service from the comfort of your workplace/home.
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How does it work?
Our 10-week online customer discovery programme is designed using lean start-up methodology. Lean start-up takes the scientific method (hypothesise, test, evaluate) and applies it to business ideas. You will learn how to use this approach to test what your potential customers think about your idea, product or service.
Past participants say that having 10-weeks of support and dedicated time to spend on customer discovery has dramatically changed their perspective on their business.
What does it include?
Access to experts in bringing research to market
You will have weekly access to our team of experts and we will proactively connect you to our network of entrepreneurs, investors and funders.
Game changing online delivery
Our online delivery means that you can contribute to the programme flexibly at times that suit you.
Market Explorer
We will create a personalised report which includes data about your potential customers, competitors and suppliers plus a comprehensive overview of the intellectual property landscape for your sector.
Bootcamp Training
2-day online bootcamp where you will learn how to talk about your technology to customers, develop a hypothetical business model and identify your customers' pain points.
10-week Market Validation
You will plan and execute 10 weeks of tailored customer discovery for your idea, product or service using online software, videoconferencing and marketing tools. You will receive weekly 1-hour coaching clinics from experts in taking research ideas to market.
Pitch training
1-day online pitch training to teach you how to pitch your ideas to potential customers and investors.
Options Roundabout Pitches
You will have the opportunity to pitch to an experienced panel of funders, stakeholders and investors to help accelerate the impact from your research.
Who is eligible?
Lean Launch is open to all University early career researchers (from Ph.D. to post-doctoral researchers) from across the UK & Ireland. To apply, each early career researcher needs to build a team that includes their Principal Investigator and a representative from their University Technology Transfer Office (TTO).
We have funding available to partially or fully support early career researchers from under-represented groups. We are committed to improving diversity across our programmes and are actively seeking applications from under-represented groups including women, people of colour, those with disabilities, those from the LGBTQI+ communities and Universities who have not previously participated in our programmes.
"Lean Launch provided us with the insight we needed to get a better understanding of our value proposition."
Dr Hala Dhowre, University of Liverpool
Pharmacologist and Post-doctoral researcher
Winner of Best Pitch and Most Engaged Research at Lean Launch Pitch Day (2020)
How do I apply?
The online application form will ask you a series of questions about you, your team and your project. It will be a competitive process. You will need to have engaged with your University Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and your Principal Investigator prior to applying.
"The programme allowed us to create a clear vision and value proposition to talk to companies confidently about our nanoparticles."
Dr Inam Ul Ahad, Dublin City University
Research Development Manager and Biomedical Engineer (2019)
What much does it cost?
We have funding available to partially or fully support early career researchers from under-represented groups. We are committed to improving diversity across our programmes and are actively seeking applications from under-represented groups including women, people of colour, those with disabilities, those from the LGBTQI+ communities and Universities who have not previously participated in our programmes.
Upcoming programme dates
Lean Launch Cohort VII
The programme will run between 16th September 2020 and 25th November 2020.
- Bootcamp - 16th & 17th September 2020
- Pitch Training Day - 19th November 2020
- Options Pitches - 25th November 2020
Lean Launch Cohort VIII
Applications for this cohort will close on 30th October 2020
The programme will run between 12th November 2020 and 28th January 2021.
- Bootcamp - 12th & 13th November 2020
- Pitch Training Day - 21st January 2021
- Options Pitches - 28th January 2021
Have you got questions about the programme?
We'd love to hear from you with any questions you have about the programme or how it works.
Click the button below to email our Lean Start-Up Programme Manager Dr Amanda McCullough.