This programme, delivered by the RAEng’s Enterprise Hub, will support promising leaders of high-growth tech and engineering SMEs which display excellence in engineering.

The Shott Scale Up Accelerator programme was previously known as the SME Leaders programme. The programme received a major boost through a gift from entrepreneur Ian Shott CBE FREng and was renamed Shott Scale Up Accelerator in 2021. The Shott Scale Up Accelerator is a new programme that builds on the previous SME Leaders programme, enhancing its content to support ambitious leaders of UK scale ups.

Places on the programme are gained through a competitive application process with the best applicants awarded a place and membership of the Enterprise Hub.

A place on the programme means you will receive:

  1. A grant of up to £10,000 to pay for leadership courses of your choice
  2. Expert business mentoring
  3. One-to-one personal development coaching
  4. Workshops, webinars, roundtables, speaker events
  5. Access to the Taylor Centre, our co-working and meeting space in central London
  6. PR and IP support
  7. All travel and accommodation expenses covered for programme activities

How to apply

All applications must be submitted via the online grant system. Please read the Essential Guidance Notes before starting your application, and ensure that you are eligible before applying. The application form has four main sections. A summary of the Essential Guidance Notes are embedded within the system itself; however, the guidance given in the below download link is more detailed, so it’s recommend you read this first.

Eligibility

Applications are sought from decision-makers (both engineering and non-engineers) in engineering and technology SMEs with an ambitious vision to grow.

To be eligible:

  • Your company must have cumulatively raised at least £1,000,000, through either equity investment (from inception), turnover in the last financial year (excluding grants and consultancy), or a combination of both. Applications must be written and submitted by the intended recipient
  • Both engineers and non-engineers who work at engineering and technology SMEs based in the UK are welcome to apply
  • Applicants must come from a company based in the UK and registered with Companies House. For multinational companies, the Head Office must be based in the UK
  • Applicants of any nationality are eligible as long as you have the right to work in the UK
  • Only applicants from SMEs who aren’t wholly or majority owned by another company are eligible (SME as per the EU definition)
  • Only one applicant per company per round will be eligible
  • Each enterprise can have a maximum of one successful awardee of the programme. One additional application will be considered in another round if it is submitted by a candidate belonging to a group that is underrepresented within UK engineering. Please note this also includes those who were successful in gaining a place on the previously named SME Leaders programme