Accelerator · London, United Kingdom

MassChallenge UK

MassChallenge's UK accelerator in East London runs a hybrid programme from June to October for early-stage startups with a UK connection. It takes no equity and awards non-dilutive cash prizes.

Status unknown Run by MassChallenge

Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published Startups compete for up to CHF 1M in non-dilutive cash prizes; a £20k prize goes to the best startup in the UK programme
Instrument
Prize
Equity taken
None (equity-free)
Programme fee
No fee MassChallenge states its accelerators are zero-cost and charge no application fee
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
Hybrid
Stages
Pre-seed, seed
Sectors
Sector-agnostic
Open to founders from
not published
Perks
  • Access to 20+ corporate partners
  • Mentoring from 400+ experts
  • Office space in the Royal Docks, London

Runs from June to October with in-person events in London and Lausanne plus online sessions. Tracks include AI & Autonomy and Cybersecurity, and Foodtech & Agritech; other sectors are accepted.

Application dates

Status unknown

Dates not published. Applications for the 2026 programme closed on 4 March 2026; the 2026 awards evening is on 21 October in London. 2027 dates were not yet published.

Usual timing: Applications for the 2026 programme closed on 4 March 2026; the 2026 awards evening is on 21 October in London. 2027 dates were not yet published.

Who can apply

  • Less than £3M capital raised and less than £3M in sales
  • A strategic connection with the UK
  • Able to travel for up to 10 days over four months
  • Stage: pre-seed, seed

Companies it names as alumni

Kestrix, Demetria

What founders should check

  1. The programme says it takes no equity. Still read the agreement for warrants, revenue shares or rights in a later round.
  2. It charges no programme fee.
  3. It mixes remote and in-person sessions in London. Ask how much time on site it expects.
  4. Dates for the next cohort are not published. Applications for the 2026 programme closed on 4 March 2026; the 2026 awards evening is on 21 October in London. 2027 dates were not yet published.

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