CoSTAR Evolve: Scale your Enterprise

Coming from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, mentors offer a broad range of insights, perspectives, and specialisms to support the evolving needs of creative technology companies.  You can view the Evolve Mentor Pool of experts available to you as mentors here.

The Role of a Mentor

CoSTAR Evolve Mentors support participants across three key areas: 

1.  Goal Setting & Strategic Planning: Help mentees clarify their business objectives and develop a structured plan to achieve them.

2.  Problem Solving & Business Growth: Support founders and leaders in identifying and addressing challenges that may be limiting creative or commercial progress.

3.   Industry Connections & Opportunity Building: Connect mentees with relevant tools, contacts, networks, and opportunities to accelerate growth and innovation. 

A ‘Meet the Mentors’ session provides an opportunity bring mentors and mentees together to network and get to know the range of mentorship support available to them.

Mentees will select the mentors they wish to work with in advance and mentorship sessions will be agreed between the mentor and mentee directly.  Mentorship can take place online and in person.

On conclusion of the programme, both mentors and mentees will participate in a structured review to reflect on progress and maximise future impact. Mentors will provide a brief summary that includes:

• Key areas of development and progress achieved by the mentee

• Recommendations for next steps and areas for continued focus

• A record of any insights, resources, introductions, or follow-up actions shared

Applicants are asked to state in their application how they would use the Enterprise Development Award and to define the timeline in which it will be utilised.

Examples of eligible costs include:

Trade show participation, market research studies, testing new business processes or methodologies, strategic partnerships and collaborations, export market development, process optimization, brand development, sales and marketing campaign development, professional development, travel costs to networking events and mentorship.

Costs to cover company time on the programme, expenses, technology, software and equipment upgrades, supplementary income or general expenses/purchases are ineligible.

• An Enterprise Development Award of £5,000 is available to companies to support unique company development requirements. This includes bringing in external specialists, UK and international market development activity, bespoke spends that justify addressing critical growth gaps. 

• An Access Bursary is available to support participation, in line with our Social Impact Plan, for eligible individuals who may face additional barriers to participation.  More information can be found here  https://www.costarnetwork.co.uk/bursaries

• Travel costs: Travel expenses to visit CoSTAR Network Labs to be agreed with programme leads and paid on submission of receipts in arrears.

• Attend the programme initial diagnostic session.

• Attend the programme kick off and induction sessions.

• Use at least 80% of the mentorship hours available and attend support meetings or webinars as required.

• Ensure that relevant team members are attending scheduled mentorship sessions.

• Attend, present and demonstrate project outcomes at the industry showcase event in 2026.

• A ‘Give-Back’ of 8 hours mentorship to future E&C programme participants over the following 2 years.

• Companies will be required to provide case studies on programme completion.

• Companies will be supported with mandatory training and mentorship in social impact areas that include; equitable design, developing environmental sustainability principles and working with diverse user groups.

• On application, companies will be asked to stipulate their approach to social impact and how they intend to deliver social impact commitments over the given period.

All projects, regardless of their main R&D focus, are expected to have a demonstrable engagement with either EDI, sustainability or both.  Please see our EDI Policy and Action Plan here.  With regards to Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Impact data will be regularly reviewed in partnership with CoSTAR’s Inclusion team. 

CoSTAR Network is a welcoming and supportive programme. All are welcomed to take part regardless of age, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, socio-economic background, (dis)ability (visible or hidden, physical or mental), sexuality, religion or belief. We strongly encourage applications from businesses led by those from diverse backgrounds and those currently under-represented in the creative technology sector.

Enterprise & Commercialisation programmes will monitor diversity across its range of participants, external experts and mentors we engage for delivery. The CoSTAR EDI framework measures our success against the annual EDI Action Plan. Our goal is to deliver programmes within an infrastructure which is fit for a future creative industry that values diversity and inclusion for its commercial and societal value. 

Applications assessed and shortlisted in a three-stage assessment process.

1. Screening

• Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and alignment with programme goals.

•  Due Diligence processes and screening will be applied to the shortlisted applicants. 

2. Assessments

• Eligible applications will be evaluated against the selection criteria by a diverse panel of external assessors and industry experts to create a long list.

• The long list will then be reviewed by the CoSTAR Network Labs and the National Lab to select a final cohort.

3. Contracting

• Selected participants will be notified by 12 December 2025 and will be issued with a standard Participation Agreement.

• Please note: These contracts are standard and non-negotiable on all E&C programmes however they are designed to be fair, reasonable and in the best interests of participants.

Scoring Criteria

Application Success Factors

1. Commercial credibility

• Include specific revenue figures, user metrics, partnership details

• Show clear path to profitability

• Demonstrate market validation beyond friends/family

2. Innovation clarity

• Articulate your unique value proposition

• Show competitive differentiation

• Explain scalability advantages

• Connect innovation to market need

3. Execution track record

• Highlight past achievements with metrics

• Show ability to hit milestones

• Demonstrate learning from setbacks

• Include third-party validation

4. Coachability

• Show specific areas where you need guidance

• Demonstrate openness to feedback

• Include examples of how you've incorporated advice

• Show ambitious but realistic goals

5. Social impact integration

• Make EDI/sustainability core to your business model

• Show how social impact drives commercial success

• Provide specific, measurable commitments

• Demonstrate authentic engagement with these issues

Programme obligations

How does E&C fit within wider CoSTAR activity?

Enterprise & Commercialisation is one of two Industry Access programmes at the CoSTAR National Lab, the second being the Pilots and Prototypes Programme. Both programmes provide a gateway for industry into the CoSTAR Network. 

Can I apply to other CoSTAR programmes such as PPP?

Yes, you can apply for any other CoSTAR programme.  If the programmes are being run simultaneously, applicants would need to demonstrate how they can adequately resource the team to deliver across both.

Eligibility

Does the applicant company need to have been registered as a UK company for a certain period prior to application?

We are aware that some companies won’t have been trading long enough to have submitted any accounts or may have submitted abridged accounts if turnover is not of a sufficient level. This should not prevent you from applying for the programme, as long as your company is registered with Companies House.  This has been communicated to the judging panel and will not affect the judging process. 

My startup is not incorporated yet. Can I still apply to the CoSTAR Evolve Program?

No. Your company needs to be incorporated, and you'll need to provide the incorporation date in the application form.

Can Universities apply?

Universities and researchers may be named as a partner in a proposal, however, they may not be a lead applicant on an application to a CoSTAR Access programme. The lead applicant must be a company registered and trading in the UK.

What companies can apply under creative industries?

The CoSTAR Ideate programme is designed for SMEs incorporated in the UK, that are working in or are developing solutions in the creative industries.  The DCMS groups creative industries into the following sub sector:

• Advertising and marketing

• Architecture

• Crafts

• Design and designer fashion

• Film, TV, radio, and photography

• Museums, galleries, and libraries

• Music, performing, and visual arts

• Publishing

• IT, software, and computer services

Programme Obligations

What are the programme obligations?

• Participants must be willing to commit to the following key obligations:

• Attend the diagnostic session in December 2025.

• Attend the programme kick off and induction sessions.

• Attend at least 80% of the mentor sessions, support meetings, masterclasses.

• Ensure that relevant team members are attending scheduled sessions as indicated.

• Attend, present and demonstrate project outcomes at an industry showcase event.

• Attend meetings hosted by programme delivery partners.

• Participant agrees to be visibly (name and logo) associated with the Programme, whilst in the Programme, and afterwards as a former participant and beneficiary.  This includes marketing collateral, such as website, print and digital materials.

• Join the E&C Alumni Cohort Group to continue to develop valuable relationships created on the programme.

• A ‘Give-Back’ of 8 hours mentorship to future E&C programme participants over the following 2 years.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular evaluation of the cohort will be conducted to understand how successful the programme is in supporting both the professional development goals of the cohort, and of their respective businesses. A short feedback survey will be provided after each stage to provide insight to the value of that workshop and facilitator and a final evaluation survey on programme completion.

For a maximum period of five years following the Project end date, Participant shall use its reasonable endeavours to answer specific questions from CoSTAR National Lab relating to its growth and progress to assist CoSTAR in demonstrating the impact of its activities. This shall include: (i) participation in an annual telephone conversation of one hour, and (ii) participation in a survey issued by CoSTAR.

Is the programme remote or in person?

The programme will be delivered in a hybrid model. Most of the mentorship sessions are online, with no obligation to attend a CoSTAR-related premises.

Do I have to attend all of the activities?

In general, attending all activities on the programme can be beneficial as it provides you with the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors, connect with other cohort members, and develop your business skills. However, it is important to prioritise your time and focus on activities that are most relevant to your business goals.

How is data related to my business or product treated?

CoSTAR National Lab and Network Labs will not be signing NDAs with programme participants. CoSTAR National Lab will ask you to share your data with programme delivery partners and, if access is given, these will be regarded as confidential information.

Who will own the IP of my business or product, is equity taken?

The participants will have full ownership of their intellectual property created. For full details, please refer to the programme terms and conditions. Whilst no equity will be taken in the businesses of any participants.

Application Process

Can I speak to someone from the team before submitting?

Yes. We will be holding a briefing event during the application window. This will be a good opportunity to understand further details about the programme. Whilst you’ll also be able to have any queries or concerns addressed by members of the CoSTAR E&C team. These briefing events are intended to be informal, open, and accessible to anyone who wishes to participate in the programme, regardless of their background or experience level. They will not have an impact on the judging of your application.

Do I have to use Submittable to complete my application?

We encourage applicants to let us know about any reasonable adjustments they may require for the application process or their proposed project. You may already know what you would like to request, or you may like to have a general discussion of your options.  Individual requests for access support will be accommodated wherever possible and equitable.

Please forward requests to: costar.enterprise@rhul.ac.uk.

What information is asked for in the application form?

The application form will be the first method that we use to assess both the eligibility of all applicants, and their suitability to the programme. To determine eligibility, we’ll need to understand details of your business and product/ service/ experience being developed. Whilst to understand suitability, we’ll need further details on the problem and solution that you’re addressing, your aims and objectives both in programme and afterwards and an understanding of any project members that will also be participating.

I need support with making my application; what should I do?

Please forward requests to: costar.enterprise@rhul.ac.uk.

Who will my application data be shared with?

We only use your application information for the purpose of the programme. If information is shared outside of CoSTAR this will be made clear in the application form and/or programme agreement.

Will I be able to save my application form?
Yes, you will be able to save it during the application process, so that you can complete it in more than one session if you need to.

How are applications selected?

All applications will be initially assessed for eligibility in accordance with the programme’s eligibility criteria. Once verified, all applications will be assessed against the selection criteria by a diverse pool of external assessors and industry experts. Whilst they’ll also be assessed by members of the CoSTAR network for suitability.

How long will the review process of applications take? 

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application within 6 weeks of the programme closing for applications.

I want to include more detail than a section in the application form allows, is this permitted?

No, only the information contained within the application form and within page limits specified for each section will be evaluated when selecting proposals. This is to ensure all proposals are scored fairly and equally, and also helps assessors to more easily compare proposals.

Will I be asked to complete an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion form as part of the application process?

Yes, for the lead applicant only.

Will I receive feedback on my application?

Because of the number of applications we receive, we can’t provide feedback on applications that do not progress to the interview stage.

If my application is not successful, can I apply for a later programme?

Yes, you are welcome to apply for any other CoSTAR programme.

What if I am involved in another CoSTAR programme?

You can still take part in other CoSTAR-funded programmes, so long as the timings do not cause a conflict of interest and you are eligible to participate.