Is your research reaching the point where you’re asking serious questions about commercialisation to achieve real-word impact? If so, Northern Accelerator’s pre-incorporation funding can help accelerate your journey to commercial impact.
Our funding call is for academics whose projects are approaching a commercial decision, and who want support to determine whether and how their research could progress towards a spinout company or licensing outcome in the near term.
Funding for projects approaching commercialisation
Northern Accelerator’s pre incorporation funding supports focused, time-bound activity that helps teams move decisively towards a commercial outcome.
We support projects where the next step is not more research, but clarity – for example:
- validating a real market need;
- engaging with potential customers, partners or licensees;
- testing assumptions that affect commercial viability; or
- generating evidence needed to decide whether to proceed to spinout or licensing.
You don’t need to incorporate a company during the funded period. However, successful applications will demonstrate a credible pathway towards commercialisation and explain how the funded activity will advance that journey.
Could you be a future founder?
Many spinouts are founded by academics who didn’t originally see themselves as entrepreneurs, but who recognised that commercialisation could be a valid route to impact.
You don’t need:
- a company already formed,
- a management team in place, or
- a fully developed commercial plan.
What is important is that you, or your team, are considering commercialisation in the form of a spinout (or large licencing opportunity), and want to test whether that path is realistic and right for you. Projects that are primarily extending technical or academic research, without a defined commercial objective, are unlikely to be competitive.
Northern Accelerator also offers wider support to help you prepare for commercialisation, including training and access to experienced executives through our Future Founders and Executives into Business programmes.
Who can apply?
This call is open to academics at Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland Universities. Applications must be submitted by 12 June 2026 and must be developed and submitted with the support of your university’s Technology Transfer Office.
A proven route from research to company creation
Northern Accelerator is funded as part of the North East Universities Innovation and Commercialisation Programme 2026-2027, a collaboration comprising Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland Universities. It is funded by the UK Government and the North East Combined Authority via Integrated Settlement funding. Northern Accelerator has already supported almost 150 projects, investing more than £5.5 million to help research teams progress towards real world commercial outcomes – including the formation of successful spinout companies.
If your project is approaching a commercial decision and you’re curious about what the next step could look like, the best place to start is a conversation with your Technology Transfer Office.
Full guidance and application details are available here.
PulmoBiomed is a Northumbria University spinout whose academics benefitted from a Northern Accelerator pre-incorporation award during their research commercialisation journey. Find out more in this short video:
