Man in VR headset reaching out
ACE IT

Making your immersive
tech ideas a reality

LSBU logoERDF logo

ACE IT (Accelerating the Creative Economy Through Immersive Technologies) is a fully-funded initiative which supports London-based start-ups and SMEs to conceptualise, research and develop innovative products and services.
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Working closely with an expert team, you'll develop your own pathway to build key skills and ground-breaking products while future-proofing your business through immersive technology.

This project is a partnership between London South Bank University and London College of Communication, UAL. It is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

£1.4m
Funding Available
70+
Places available
20+
Brand new products
35+
R&D collaborations

Range of Support

Stage 1 Support

Innovation Sprints

London College of Communication host a virtual series of creative resources, classroom sessions and live webinars designed to tackle specific immersive tech issues.
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‍Through digital access to academic and technical teams, you’ll be supported to review and develop your concepts, leading to a more efficient development cycle.

Tackle Your Development Challenges

Access Expert Advice

Grow Your Skills

Apply now
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Stage 1 Support

Expert-Led Training

Lead by London South Bank University, our workshops are designed to provide businesses with the fundamentals necessary to be successful.

Supercharge your learning and leave with knowledge and skills that can be implemented immediately.
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Areas include:

Marketing and Communications

Financing Immersive Ventures

Business Growth

Apply now
Stage 2 Support

Product Development

Prototyping is an essential element of taking a product to market, and is fundamental to your journey as an innovator.
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Our prototype modelling process is unique to the local product design landscape. You'll receive expert advice on the development of your product, for free, and keep 100% of the IP.

Product Design & Development

Software and UX Development
Design Support
Engineering Support

Product Usability and Efficacy

Guide on Your Innovation’s Roadmap/Strategy
Product and/or Service Testing
Usability Testing
Apply now

Participation & Beyond

Form Relationships

Joining ACE IT will place you in an environment with a range of experts and entrepreneurs, each bringing their own skillset and perspective. Our events and consultancy opportunities enable you to form, strengthen and utilise those relationships to the benefit of your own development.

Alumni Network

Once you complete your participation on the programme you are able to join our Alumni Slack channel, enabling you to hear about events, funding opportunities and any similar support you may be eligible for.

Apply now
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Your Journey

1

Application

Complete an application form and book and appointment for a consultation

2

Consultation

Meet with a member of our team to find the most appropriate support for your business needs

3

Business Support

Progress through the programme with increased confidence in yourself, your staff members and your business concept

3

Innovation Support

Utilise your access to experts from LCC, LSBU and the commercial world. Tackle the specific immersive tech challenges that you currently face

4

Product Development

Our experts will help you to prove your concept, develop a prototype and get you further along your development journey

5

Completion

Leave the programme with a broader skillset, important network links and be one step closer to being market ready

6

Alumni Network

You'll have the option to join our Alumni Network, where you'll be kept up-to-date with events, networking and funding opportunities

1

Application

Complete and application form and book and appointment for a consultation.

2

Consultation

Meet with a member of our team to find the most appropriate support for you business needs.

Fast-tracking to Product Development is available for any businesses that a further along in their development cycle.

3

Business Support

Progress through the programme with increased confidence in yourself, your staff members and your business concept. Increase your chances of accessing the funding required to accelerate your growth.

3

Innovation Support

Utilise your access to experts from LCC, LSBU and the commercial world. Tackle the specific immersive tech challenges that you currently face.

4

Product Development

Having a working product or prototype can really make the difference when trying to generate funding from investors - or even pre-orders from prospective customers.

Our experts will help you to prove your concept, develop a prototype and get you one step closer to being market-ready.

5

Completion

Upon leaving the programme you become part of our Alumni Network. We'll ensure that you a kept up to date with latest developments across the sector - as well as future funding opportunities for your business.

A man delivering a speech to a group

I felt empowered, guided, motivated and supported by very nice people who exchanged experiences.

Women in Business attendee
A man delivering a speech to a group

“This is an opportunity to really kick-start the virtual reality and immersive tech industries. We’re excited to meet new companies for our next round of innovation sprints.”

Dan Bartlett – Programme Director for Moving Image and Digital Arts at London College of Communication

Upcoming Events

All Events
Adopting Immersive Tech - VR and AR for Start-ups and SMEs
November 27, 2020
Webinar

Previous Events

All Events
Visualising Your Ideas Using VR Design Tools
November 12, 2020
Webinar
Staying Power: Engagement, purpose and reward in VR games
November 6, 2020
Online
Creating Immersive Social Spaces
October 29, 2020
Webinar
Commercialising Creative Concepts: Immersive Tech Industry Webinar
September 29, 2020
Writing a Killer Business Plan
September 1, 2020
Webinar

Case Studies

Examples of the impact our support has provided SMEs
December 19, 2019

Getting New Tea Lattes to Market with MyTEA

December 19, 2019

Innovating Edible Packaging with Skipping Rocks Labs

I felt empowered, guided, motivated and supported by very nice people who exchanged experiences.

I left with a feeling of community and mutual support

It's amazing to see how many great ideas people are passionate to bring to the market.

I felt empowered, guided, motivated and supported by very nice people who exchanged experiences.

Business Support

For entrepreneurs looking to develop their knowledge and skills.
Expert-led workshops
Business support
Monitored progression
Apply now

Innovation Support

For businesses ready for Research & Development to deliver a new sustainable product or service.
Academic consultants
Product design
1-2-1 consultancy
Evaluate concepts
Prototype development
Secure Investment
Apply now