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STARTUP NEXT STEPS

HIIdrogen NEXT – Pre-Accelerator

The Net Zero Technology Centre’s flagship TechX Energy Transition Accelerator is now open for applications. Startups with innovations in clean fuels with potential to deploy in the North East of Scotland can apply for £50,000 of funding and a place on the programme.

Through an exclusive partnership with the HIIdrogen Next Accelerator, TechX is offering a bespoke pre-accelerator support package to ventures in the HII network. This Startup Next Steps sprint will take place in September 2026 and provide targeted workshops and 1-to-1 support to give HII startups the best chance of getting a place on the programme.

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BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING

  • Deadline extension: HII startups will get an automatic one-week extension to their application instead of submitting on 21st September, they will have until 27th September
  • Application preparation workshops: HII startups will be invited to three exclusive application workshops giving them time and on-hand support to work through the application
  • Bespoke 1-to-1 application support: HII startups will be able to meet with the TechX team for 1-to-1 meetings to share their application, get feedback and ask questions

Programme Schedule

  • 1

    Session 1 – Crafting your Content | Tuesday 8th September | 2:00pm – 3:30pm

    The first workshop will give an overview of the application process and delve into best practice for submitting an application. Interactive exercises will include reviewing past video applications and scoring these as judges, reviewing the questions and planning a script template. The outcomes of this session will be a clear plan on what content to include in the video to stand out. 

  • 2

    Session 02 – Planning your Production | Tuesday 15th September | 2:00pm – 3:30pm

    The second workshop will focus on the practicalities of the video and how to best represent your technology. Interactive exercises will include storyboarding, editing demos and creative thinking activities to consider how props, graphics, slides, and video clips can be used. The outcomes of this session will be each venture having a storyboard plan for their video and creative techniques to film and edit this. 

  • 3

    Session 03 – Enhance your Entry | Tuesday 22nd September | 2:00pm – 3:00pm

    The final session will consider the supporting pitch deck and application questions to be submitted as well as giving an overview of the due diligence process. Interactive exercises will include pitch analysis and prioritisation activities and exclusive view of assessor one-pagers. The outcomes of this session will be a plan for the six support slides required and content for the application form.

ONE-TO-ONE SCHEDULE

  • Office Hours 01 – Drop In | Thursday 10th September | 10:00am – 11:00am
  • Office Hours 02 – Video 1-to-1s | Thursday 17th September | 10:00am – 1:00pm
  • Office Hours 03 – Drop In | Tuesday 22nd September | 3:00pm – 4:00pm

REGISTER

Please complete the form below to register to take part. You will be issued with Microsoft Teams invites for each session once registered.

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This project is supported by the HIIdrogen NEXT partnership between the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative, CPI and NZTC.