KQ Labs, an accelerator programme for early-stage companies in data-driven health delivered by the Francis Crick Institute and funded by LifeArc, held their Demo Day for Cohort 6.0. Graduating start-ups presented to investors and corporate partners, who attended both in-person and virtually.

Demo Day marks the conclusion of the five-month program, which started in October 2023 for the ten Cohort 6.0 start-ups. These companies participated in weekly workshops, received mentorship, and connected with major corporates and investors. Additionally, each start-up received £40,000 in funding through a convertible loan note. Demo Day provided Cohort 6.0 the opportunity to showcase their innovations, which spanned a broad range of therapeutic areas from cardiovascular disease to retinal imaging to pressure ulcer detection. It was also a great opportunity for them to network with industry experts and investors. Congratulations to all ten start-ups for their impressive presentations!

Over six cohorts, KQ Labs has supported sixty companies in developing and validating their ideas, with backing from partners such as LifeArc and Cancer Research Horizons. This past year, the programme featured 56 sessions and over 60 guest speakers. Ongoing partnerships include an internship exchange with London Business School and a collaboration with Central Saint Martins. Alumni from Cohorts 1 to 5 have collectively raised £119 million since joining the programme, according to sources like Beauhurst and PitchBook.

KQ Labs will open applications for its next cohort in June 2024. Early-stage data-driven health start-ups are encouraged to register their interest on the KQ Labs website, where more information about the programme and eligibility is available. The KQ Labs team is ready to discuss programme content and applicant eligibility.