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Smart Scale - Creative Tech

For founders & leaders running creative technology ventures

Five days to step back, think bigger and build the next version of your business

18 november to 16 december 2026Bath Innovation CentreApplications close 30 october 2026

Smart Scale is a fully-funded five-day growth programme for ambitious Creative Technology founders and leaders who have moved beyond start-up and are thinking about what comes next.

Running across five Wednesdays from 18 November to 16 December 2026, Smart Scale gives you dedicated time away from the day-to-day to look at where your business is now, where you want it to go, and what needs to change to get there.

"Brilliant programme, focusing on scaling, rather than start up. Amazing speakers, fantastic sessions, very insightful and inspiring"

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Smart Scale | SETsquared Bath

Smart Scale is a focused sprint for founders in health and life sciences who’ve moved beyond starting up and are ready to grow. Delivered by the University of Bath Innovation and Entrepreneurship team, and the globally recognised SETsquared network, Smart Scale brings together operational experience, sector insight, and a trusted peer community. Most founder support is built for the beginning, when everything’s theoretical and the stakes are lower. But you’re past t

Most founder support is built for the beginning. Smart Scale is about what happens next.

As your business grows, the questions change - from proving the idea to deciding what kind of business you want to build, how your role and team need to evolve, where future growth will come from, and how to scale without simply becoming busier.

Are you asking yourself what kind of business you are trying to build, what your role should become, or whether you need to rethink your team?

Perhaps you are looking at where your next customers will come from, whether you are making the most of your IP, what your data is telling you, or which relationships could unlock new opportunities. And, ultimately, how do you grow without simply creating a bigger, busier version of the business you have today?

Smart Scale gives you the time, expert input and peer challenge to work through those questions, look at your business differently, and make clearer decisions about what comes next.

Who we're looking for

Smart Scale is for the person strategically leading a growing creative technology business.

Shaped around you

Before places are confirmed, we talk to applicants. That conversation helps us understand where the business is now, what you are trying to work out and where outside experience could be most useful.

1

Expression of interest

Complete our short EOI form - no pitch deck or essay required.

2

45-minute conversation

Suitable applicants are invited to speak with the Team - this is not an interview!

3

Cohort confirmed

Places are selected on fit. A typical cohort will have between 10-15 participants.

4

Programme refined

Once the cohort is set, we tailor the detail of each day around the businesses in the room.

What founders said about Smart Scale

The first Smart Scale cohort brought together 21 founders and business leaders. Participants particularly valued the combination of expert input, practical advice, reflection and the learning that comes from working alongside peers facing comparable questions.

93%

Programme Satisfaction

90

Net Promotor Score

100%

Facilitation Score


Holistic support and encouragement for ambitious founders

Meaningful and pertinent if you're serious about driving success

Applications close 30 October 2026

You do not need to write an essay or prepare a pitch deck. Complete the expression-of-interest form by Friday 30 October 2026. We will then invite suitable applicants to a 45-minute conversation with the programme team.

That gives us a chance to hear about the business, understand what you are working through and make sure Smart Scale is the right programme for you. Places are limited and the cohort is selected on fit rather than simply allocated in the order applications arrive.

If we think another form of support would be more useful, we will say so. This could include SETsquared Bath's Entrepreneur Workout, Innovation Workout or another route through our network.

Prefer to talk first? Email us at [email protected]