The Central Research Laboratory’s (CRL) 2021 Accelerator Programme has started – Europe’s only business support programme for hardware start-ups. Over six weeks, an expanded cohort of 17 ventures will partake in the introductory stage of the CRL, after which six outstanding ventures will be selected to complete the full six-month programme until November 2021.
With a focus on hardware development and innovation, CRL’s world-leading programme provides practical hands-on experience, product development, engineering and testing support. Nine out of ten start-ups fail worldwide, however, alumni of the CRL have an 80% survival rate.
First stage members include: Kouo – headphones that measure neural activity to track mental health in an accessible app, Lava – a portable washing machine aimed at students that significantly reduces water usage by filtering and recycling shower water and Project Stealth Tech – a wearable mouthpiece that could replace the standard blood test by continuously monitoring saliva for biomarkers of fatigue, even early cancer diagnosis.