Startup 54
University of Hertfordshire
About the Accelerator
The Barclays Black Founder Accelerator is a dedicated 12-week programme designed to champion Black founder-led businesses through a series of masterclasses and one-to-one mentoring to help them accelerate and grow. Bringing expertise from sales, marketing, technology, business and investment, the programme will provide you with the tools you need to take your business to the next level.
This accelerator offers a series of expert-led masterclasses, covering various topics essential for business growth. Throughout the duration of the program, you'll participate in weekly sessions led by industry leaders, delving into subjects such as financial metrics, cash flow management, product development, marketing strategies, recruitment techniques, pitching skills, and fundraising strategies.
Specially chosen mentors will be paired with the selected start-ups and will work closely with them during the programme and beyond to help them grow and scale.
In order to apply and benefit fully from this amazing opportunity it is important that you meet the application criteria and your business is at the right stage to get the maximum benefit from the programme.
Your Business
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Uses digital technology to operate/deliver their value proposition
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Ready to scale i.e either seed stage or beyond, received investment and launching your MVP
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A UK registered business
You/Your Team
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At least 1 founder (or C-suite) self-identifies as Black or of Black heritage
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You have proven expertise in your industry
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You are available to attend all the masterclasses over the 12-week period
Guiding your Growth
This unique experience will enable you to develop new skills, gain support, learn vital tools and improve your pitch to help you successfully scale your business.
Mentoring & coaching
Dedicated Barclays champion
Access to cutting edge resources
Pitch your business to investors and VC's
Access to Eagle Labs & Barclays network
Lifetime membership of the Foundervine community
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2024 timeline
There are only 25 spaces available on this unique accelerator, delivered through a combination of virtual and in-person events from June through to October 2024.
Masterclasses
Value Explosion: Craft Your Unfair Advantage
Product Alchemy: From idea to marketing
solutions
Social Media Mastery: Beyond Likes to Loyalty & Sales
Supplier Spotlight: Unlock Opportunities in Diversity Supply Chains
Legal Launchpad: Navigate the Essentials & Protect Your Vision
Value Explosion: Uncover Customer Obsessions
Brand Brilliance: Design an Identity that Resonates Deeply
Sales Superpower: Crafting Strategies for Successful Deal Closures
Cashflow Nirvana: Building Financial Resilience for Sustainable Success
Funding Fiesta: Unlocking Growth Through Strategic Fundraising
Financial Foresight: Empowering Sustainable Growth Strategies
Growth Ignition: Marketing strategies for
expansion
Dream Team Assembly: Attract and hire talent
Pitch Perfect: Investor awareness & best practices on securing funding
Terms and Conditions
Foundervine and Barclays Eagle Labs are working together to deliver the Barclays Black Founders Accelerator. For this purpose, we are acting as a joint data controller in order to assess the start-ups who would benefit most from our support and to deliver the programme.
For more detailed information on how and why Foundervine or Barclays Eagle Labs use your information, including the rights in relation to your personal data, and the legal grounds for using it, please go to:
To participate in the Programme, you must (i) be over 18 years old; (ii) be based in the UK; (iii) self-identify as Black or of Black heritage; (iv) have founded (either alone or with another or be a ‘C-suite’ executive within) a UK registered technology business employing a minimum of 2 employees (with a maximum of 2 people from your company being allowed to participate in the Programme) and (v) have been informed in writing by Barclays that you have been accepted on to the Programme.