Why apply to Conception X?

Conception X discovers and backs Europe's most ambitious researchers, turning them into deeptech founders. Since 2018, the organisation has supported more than 800 PhDs, postdocs and early-career researchers from 92 universities to launch over 200 science companies that have raised £250+ million in investment and grants.

Johnson Matthey is funding five teams to join Conception X’s Venture Scientist 100 programme, which offers:

  • support to evaluate the commercial potential of their technology
  • guidance on forming and funding a spin-out
  • specialised entrepreneurial training and coaching
  • access to advisory networks including other founders, investors and industry decision-makers

Where appropriate, Johnson Matthey may also provide selected teams with relevant industrial insight and specialist support, including guidance on PGM supply and metal management, and access to technical expertise and characterisation capabilities. Any additional technical development support would be considered separately with the individual team.
 

What we're looking for

Platinum group metals possess unique properties that make them critical to many established technologies, yet there are further high-value applications still waiting to be discovered.

This is not simply a search for research projects. We want to find teams that are interested in understanding whether their science could become a scalable commercial opportunity.

We’re looking for technologies which:

  • Use platinum, palladium or rhodium in a materially enabling role
  • Take advantage of the distinctive catalytic, chemical, electrical or durability properties of PGMs
  • Deliver clear performance, sustainability or circularity advantage over alternative materials
  • Address a credible and potentially valuable market need
  • Create new, long-term demand  for PGMs rather than an incremental extension of an established use
  • Have the potential to become a scalable business

Projects investigating the replacement of a base metal, such as copper or nickel, or another precious metal, such as silver or gold, may be considered where there is a clear technical and commercial advantage. Projects that simply substitute one PGM for another are not a focus of the challenge. 

Research areas

Although not exhaustive, the following themes illustrate areas of research we’re interested in. 

1. Advanced PGM materials and alloys, including: 

  • Materials for extreme environments, including nuclear and aerospace applications
  • Biomedical materials
  • Telecommunications
  • Optics, photonics and plasmonics
  • Sensors

2. Breakout PGM catalysis, including:

  • Novel, sustainable and selective bond formation or breaking
  • Technologies that enable new feedstocks or simplify process routes
  • Pollutant control and destruction, including PFAS degradation
  • Waste upcycling, including plastics upcycling

3. PGM materials for next-generation electronics, including:

  • Thermal materials for heat management
  • New semiconductor materials
  • Novel memory and data‑storage technologies
  • Materials enabling flexible electronics

The purpose of the challenge is to uncover PGM opportunities in new technologies and markets beyond Johnson Matthey’s current portfolio. While exceptional opportunities may still be considered, we are particularly interested in novel applications outside of:

  • Automotive emissions control catalysts
  • Platinum-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells
  • Platinum and iridium based PEM water electrolysers
  • Existing or incremental advances to fine chemicals, pharmaceutical or agrochemical catalysts

PGM recovery and recycling technologies are outside the scope of this challenge, as well as any applications using iridium and ruthenium.

Who should apply?

We’d like to hear from PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers and research teams working within UK or European universities who:

  • Are developing an original deeptech innovation involving platinum, palladium or rhodium
  • Have evidence supporting the underlying scientific or technical principle
  • Are curious about the commercial potential of their research
  • Are willing to test and develop the proposition beyond the laboratory
  • Can clearly explain why a PGM is important to the performance and future value of the technology

What makes a strong opportunity?

We’re looking for credible potential rather than a finished business plan, and recognise that teams may be at an early stage without detailed market forecasts. The purpose of the programme is to help researchers test, develop and strengthen the commercial case around their science, so applications should focus on:

  • The problem the technology is intended to solve
  • Why a PGM is needed and what advantage it provides
  • Why alternative materials cannot easily deliver the same outcome
  • The potential market or application for the technology
  • How the research could ultimately be developed into a product, process or scalable venture
  • Why joining Conception X would help the team take the next step

Ready to explore the commercial potential of your research?

If you’re developing innovative technologies using platinum, palladium or rhodium, we want to hear from you.

Apply now
Other funding opportunities through JM

To encourage research into PGMs, we also supply metal through our PGM award scheme

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