Cotswold Catalyst

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Think you have what it takes?

Cotswold Catalyst, our incubator programme for Cotswold start-ups, returns for a second year at the Royal Agricultural University.

The Programme, funded by Cotswold District Council, offers an outstanding opportunity for high potential start-ups in the Cotswolds to take their business to the next level, preparing them to scale and grow.

Those selected for the Programme, which will start in January 2026, will receive a six-month fully-funded bespoke plan, with workshops tailored to their needs, delivered by business expert Gill Smith of The Business Kitchen.

Those successful will also receive a dedicated co-working desk at the Alliston Centre, our business hub on the RAU campus which is home to The Growth Hub Cirencester and Farm491, for the length of the programme. This will provide individuals with opportunity to embed themselves into the thriving, local business community at the Alliston Centre, creating networking opportunities and enabling further ideation.

Apply via our online application form here.

Scroll down for more details on the Programme. Applications closed on Monday 12 January 2026 at 5.00pm.

Why apply to the Cotswold Catalyst?

The key benefits of our Cotswold Catalyst programme are:

Tailored business growth support

You will participate in a 6-month fully-funded bespoke plan of business workshops and 1-2-1 sessions tailored to your scale-up needs, delivered by business expert Gill Smith.

Professional business workspace included

A dedicated co-working desk at the Alliston Centre (valued at over £1,800) provides you with a productive, professional base to work, meet clients and collaborate.

Immersion in a thriving business community

Be a part of an active, thriving business community, fostering ideation and networking, at the Alliston Centre.

Exclusive incubator experience

With only six places available, the Programme offers a highly personalised, high-impact experience with close support and networking opportunities.

Investment readiness and exposure

The Programme concludes with Pitch Day, giving you a chance to test your investment readiness and showcase your scale-up journey.

Expanded local network

You will have the opportunity to connect with local entrepreneurs, policymakers and academic partners as well as thought leaders in the innovation and grant funding space, opening doors to collaborations, partnerships and new opportunities.

When does the Programme start?

Cotswold Catalyst will start on Wednesday 28 January 2026 and will last for 6 months.

How is the Programme delivered?

The Programme will take place in person at the Alliston Centre, our business hub on the RAU campus and home to The Growth Hub Cirencester and Farm491.

Group workshops and 1-2-1 sessions will be delivered monthly (4 hours per month) by business expert Gill Smith, cofounder of The Business Kitchen. Read more about Gill here. There is an expectation that you will work beyond the delivered workshops and sessions to reach your scale-up goals.

Your dedicated co-working desk will also be located in the Alliston Centre – a supportive business hub environment.

Who should apply?

We are looking for businesses that have a high potential to grow by creating jobs and contributing to the Cotswolds economy, showcasing it as a great place to start a business.

You must also have:

Passion

Founder or owner passion is crucial. We are looking more at what you want to achieve as opposed to where you are right now.

Ambition

You need a good understanding of where you want to take the business in the next few years and why.

Commitment

You will need to be able to commit to a 6-month Programme and possess a willingness to learn, take action and deliver.

Why 6-months, not the traditional 10-weeks?

We understand you are busy building your business, and 10-weeks of intensive commitment can be hard to keep up with, so we want to give you the guidance and the freedom to flourish.

Many traditional catalysts are a 10-week programme but we want to be there for the development and implementation of your learnings, so that you have the best chance of obtaining tangible outcomes.

What is the application process?

Apply via our online application form here by Monday 12 January 2026 at 5.00 pm
Based on your application, we may shortlist you for our Catalyst Insight Day on Wednesday 14 January 2026, which will give you a chance to meet the team and showcase your business
We will then select our final cohort, which will start the Programme on Wednesday 28 January 2026

If you have any further queries, ahead of applying, please email karl.collett@rau.ac.uk.

Apply now

Apply for Cotswold Catalyst 2026

Meet the 2025 cohort

six people standing in front of a building

L-R: Marcus Morley-Jones of Cotswold Hempstone; Emma Gray of 1st Pillar; Paul Flynn of Blue Human Project CIC; Gill Smith, our Programme Leader; Matt Raybould of Out of Key Screenprinting; and Dr Emma Pemberthy of Petscribers.

Marcus Morley-Jones of Cotswold Hempstone

Cotswold Hempstone has developed an innovative carbon negative and energy positive building system using a blend of locally sourced renewable and natural materials including hemp biofibre, timber and Cotswold limestone. This innovative approach vertically integrates Ecosystem Services into a circular supply chain, unlocking natural capital assets for LPAs and the wider built environment - bridging the gap between sustainability and deliverability of the new homes target of 350,000 new builds per year. They are raising a seed round of £1.5million at £5million pre-money valuation in Q1 2026.

Emma Gray of 1st Pillar

With surveys suggesting that 57% of school leaders are struggling to balance their budgets, the long-term consequences for teaching quality and pupil outcomes are a growing concern. Emma is on a mission to help school and trust leaders navigate these challenging financial times. Drawing on her extensive experience in school business management, Emma has already identified £7.9 million in cost savings across her client base, proving that strategic insight and operational excellence can make a tangible difference where it matters most.

Paul Flynn of Blue Human Project CIC

Tackling the issue of the £51bn cost poor mental health of employees places on employers, the Blue Human Project is a non-profit company dedicated to promoting the benefits of blue spaces - rivers, lakes and seas - to individuals and corporate teams.

Matt Raybould of Out of Key Screenprinting

Dedicated to producing top-quality screen-printed items, Matt seeks to solve the issue of a fragmented merchandise market where speed and quantity come before quality, sustainability and execution. Matt generated an incredible £17,000 turnover in one day whilst on the Cotswold Catalyst.

Dr Emma Pemberthy, Petscribers

Dr Emma Pemberthy and her colleague Dr Angela Jones are building the software they wished they had had in practice, supporting both vets and pet owners. Petscribers is the UK’s only tailor-made pet prescription platform, making medication more affordable and accessible for pet owners.

Designed by vets, Petscribers unbiased comparison tool allows owners to easily find and compare medications from government-accredited pharmacies, ensuring safety, efficacy, and value. Petscribers raised £295,000, pre-seed, during the Programme, oversubscribing their round to help accelerate product development and growth.

Apply for Cotswold Catalyst 2026

Apply here