The Shott Scale Up Accelerator, provided by the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub, empowers leaders of high-growth engineering and deep tech businesses by equipping them with the leadership skills, networks, and insights needed to scale up successfully.

The 12-month programme provides leadership training, coaching, and mentoring, backed by a £10k grant for any global executive level leadership training course. A dedicated relationship manager supports each participant with tailored introductions to investors, corporates, and experts, leveraging the Academy’s network of more than 1,700 Fellows. This flexible support enables participants  to tailor their experience to their specific scaling priorities. The programme also provides  access to Culture+, a dedicated platform designed to embed inclusive workplace practices within scaling businesses. To ensure accessibility and encourage participation nationwide, travel and accommodation costs are covered for the six in-person training modules in London, with flexibility built in to accommodate parents and caregivers.

Graduates become lifelong members of the Enterprise Hub, gaining access to a regional network of co-working spaces and meeting rooms, an alumni community channel and the Explore programme, which supports international market entry and investor engagement. They benefit from a dynamic peer network, sector-specific roundtables, and investor introductions. The Academy’s Enterprise Hub is ranked 3rd leading start up hub in the UK, and first for networking, by the Financial Times and Statista (in 2025).

A recent external evaluation found that, between 2021 and 2032, the programme is expected to generate average annual employment of 20–40 full-time equivalents, turnover of £53.1 million to £77.5 million, and gross value added (GVA) of £27.8 million to £40.3 million. The evaluation estimated a return on investment for the UK economy of between £12.34 and £17.86 for every £1 spent. Awardees gave the programme a Net Promoter Score of 87. In response, the Academy is redesigning the accelerator to refine its structure, training offer, and approach to mentorship, with applications for the updated programme expected to open in spring 2026.

The accelerator legacy includes 197 supported scaleup leaders since 2017, who have created over 4,500 jobs, have secured £2.74bn in follow-on equity investment and £362m in grants. Leadership development remains central, with all the participants of the latest cohort reporting improved leadership skills, and 73% are “far more confident” in their leadership. The programme continues to broaden its reach and foster diversity, with 35% of participants in the last cohort based outside the Golden Triangle, 33% female entrepreneurs, and 22% of applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Shott Scale Up Accelerator website