Discovery Spark

Ignite your oncology startup with Discovery Spark

Are you innovating in oncology? Discovery Spark, supported by Capital Enterprise Network, Cancer Tech Accelerator, Kent & Medway Cancer Alliance and University of Kent, is your chance to boost your cancer tech startup. This exclusive programme offers early-stage companies in oncology the opportunity to win free lab space at Discovery Park - a leading life science and technology hub - for 1 year, secure a spot in the prestigious CRUK-funded Cancer Tech Accelerator Bootcamp, and access a business support package worth over £50,000. From refining your business model to mastering your pitch, Discovery Spark is designed to empower your vision and connect you with industry-leading experts and resources. Apply now!

Register your interest

Free programme to support early-stage companies in oncology

Learn from industry professionals and make vital connections

Running bi-weekly between 11th February - 27th March 2025

Win free lab space, a spot on the Cancer Tech Accelerator Bootcamp & a package of support worth over £50k

Why Discovery Spark?

Discovery Spark is a growth programme and immersive learning experience unlike any other. Designed to help you bridge the gap between science and business, our next cohort tailored to oncology innovators will connect visionary founders in cancer research and technology with a vibrant network of peers and expert mentors. Discovery Spark sharpens your ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders, fosters a growth mindset, and equips you with practical entrepreneurial skills to refine your strategy, plan for growth, and become investment-ready.

We’re here to empower and support you every step of the way. Our engaging sessions are designed to equip you with the tools and confidence to succeed, covering essential topics like intellectual property, startup legalities, branding, financial planning, EDI, ESG, data security, and regulatory compliance. Gain invaluable insights from accomplished founder ambassadors, exchange ideas with like-minded peers, and forge meaningful connections that will drive your journey forward.

Discovery Spark also offers the chance to compete for free lab space at Discovery Park for 1 year, a spot on the Cancer Tech Accelerator Bootcamp and business support package worth over £50k, awarded to the standout company during the final pitch to prize and investor partners.

Watch the video for more information.

Programme Details

Our upcoming cohort offers three immersive 2-day sessions, culminating in a single pitch day where you’ll put your newly honed skills into action, delivering a compelling presentation that showcases the insights gained throughout the programme.

Programme Schedule:

Sessions 1 & 2: Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th February 2025
Sessions 3 & 4: Tuesday 25th & Wednesday 26th February 2025
Sessions 5 & 6: Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th March 2025
Prize Partner & Investor Pitches: Thursday 27th March 2025

Location:

All sessions will be held at Discovery Park, Kent. Our address is: Discovery Park, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, CT13 9FF. The closest train stations are Thanet Parkway or Sandwich which are easily reachable from London St Pancras International. We provide a free electric shuttle bus from these stations which complete the short onward journey to the park.

Other important information:

While participants are responsible for their travel expenses, we will pay for your accommodation for the overnight stays between consecutive sessions and lunches at all sessions will be provided.

You must be available to attend all sessions of the programme. If these dates aren’t suitable, please contact us – we’d be happy to discuss upcoming cohorts or explore alternative opportunities that may align better with your schedule.

Application Process

To enter, you must be a start-up working in scientific and technological innovation in Oncology, have demonstrated proof of concept, have the freedom to operate and have raised less than £5m in investment.

Step 1: Register your interest using the form above before midnight on 24th January 2025.

Step 2: You’ll be contacted by the next working day with more information and a link to the Application Form, where you’ll be asked to complete some basic questions about your business and upload supporting documents in the form of a pitch deck and short, 1 minute video.

Step 3: The completed Application Form must be submitted before midnight on 31st January 2025. The applications will then be reviewed with the chosen cohort selected and notified no later than 7th February, 2025.

If you would like to hear more about the programme and discuss your suitability before applying, you’ll have the chance to arrange a Teams call with Discovery Park’s Head of Innovation and Venture Development, Renos Savva. Please register your interest using the form above and we’ll share more details on this.

Hear from some of our previous cohorts...

Discovery Spark was transformative. From the diversity in the room to its focus on regenerative businesses, it was unlike any programme I’d done before. Instead of competition, it fostered support and camaraderie, creating an environment where we could thrive. The sessions helped us shape our pivot, clarify our strategy, and make rapid progress. Networking enabled valuable connections and collaborations at Discovery Park and delivering the final pitch felt uplifting, surrounded by encouragement and excitement for our progress.

Lisa Rickers , Co Founder & CEO Ultra BiOmics

The Discovery Spark programme was transformative, equipping me with the skills, insights, and connections needed to advance my business. Highlights included sessions on intellectual property, storytelling, and pitch strategy, which refined our overall approach and messaging. Networking with the cohort and facilitators was invaluable.

Presenting to prize partners provided critical feedback that enhanced our investor approach. Thank you to the organisers for an impactful and inspiring journey.

Roghaiyeh Safari , Co Founder & COO RS & RS Scientific

The programme has helped me sharpen my pitch, clarify my business strategy, and connect with a network of experts and fellow participants. The knowledge and skills I’ve gained will accelerate SmileScaff’s growth, help secure funding, and position us strongly in the dental device market. It’s intense but highly practical, offering invaluable mentorship and a supportive environment. This programme is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to enhance their skills, build meaningful connections, and elevate their startups

Linh Nguyen , Founder & CEO at SmileScaff

What a journey it’s been with the Discovery Spark accelerator over the last few weeks for imphatec Ltd. A huge thank you to Renos Savva for putting together such an inspiring and educational programme and getting such great and enlightening speakers to treat us to brilliant discussions and seminars. The breadth and multidisciplinary teachings on offer is a testament to the programme’s aims to give the start-ups and founders involved a solid base from which to push on forward!

James Catt , Co Founder

A heartfelt appreciation for Renos Savva and all of the team at Discovery Park. I am absolutely blown away, this course has been a transformative experience for me and so many others. The course is meticulously designed, with each lesson building on the last, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of key entrepreneurial concepts. The interactive nature of the course kept me engaged and motivated throughout. The community of fellow entrepreneurs I met through this course has been phenomenal. The collaborative environment, has encouraged us to share ideas, seek feedback, and support each other’s journeys. Thank you again Renos for creating such an enriching and empowering course. Your dedication to helping aspiring entrepreneurs like me succeed is truly inspiring. I am excited to apply everything I’ve learned and continue growing my business with the confidence and knowledge gained from your course. If you’re considering taking any course here, do it!

Katy Longhurst , Founder & CEO

It was an amazing opportunity to have been selected to participate in the Discovery Spark Femtech and Women’s Health edition programme. As a new start-up we felt it would be really helpful joining a programme like this and it certainly did not disappoint. It has been such an experience; we’ve learnt so much from this process from both the lectures by amazing speakers and the other amazing start-ups in the cohort. What we really loved about the programme is that it introduces you to different concepts around business and things we can really embed as we’re starting on our journey to ensure we’re going in the right direction. If you get the opportunity to take part in Discovery Spark we really recommend jumping at it!

Rebecca Hyman , Co Founder & CEO

The Discovery Park team and Dr Renos Savva have been pivotal in providing maximal and significant benefits to our entrepreneurial journey.

Their extensive and tailored business support, encompassing connections with clinical teams and experts in Kent, various financing options, and guidance on resilience in the face of adversity, has been both helpful and instrumental. This comprehensive support has played a crucial role in our growth and development.

Andrew Guo , Founder & Director

It felt as though the sessions were designed for us personally as we have changed immeasurably throughout. We have pivoted and changed direction throughout as well. We have come together through the program as a company and as people. I just want to say thank you for believing in us. You have made us believe in ourselves as well!

Stephen Hilton , Founder & CEO

The support we’ve received from the Discovery Park team has been truly uplifting and friendly. It provided us with valuable insights into how we’ve progressed since our last pitch.

Renos has been exceptionally understanding and supportive throughout the program, and we appreciate the team’s hard work in guiding us.

Heraldas Gaspariunas , Chief Operations Officer

Looking for free lab space?

CoLab, a partnership between Discovery Park and Canterbury Christ Church University, offers flexible, shared lab space designed for early-stage life science companies. Founders can benefit from 6 months of free rent, plus free access to our on-site Barclays Eagle Lab coworking space and a broader support network. With ready-to-use lab facilities in a collaborative environment and a lab technician on hand, plus flexible, easy in easy out terms and a wealth of business support, CoLab provides everything you need to start, scale and succeed.

Find out more