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Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 

Championing diversity in entrepreneurship

Register your interest for 2023

 

What is the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?

We've partnered with Foundervine to run the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator, a programme especially designed to champion diversity in entrepreneurship and showcase Black Founder-led businesses. Foundervine is an award-winning social enterprise with a strong track record of helping entrepreneurs from under-represented communities to start their own business.
 

 

Indie Gordan from Foundervine shares more details about the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator and why you should apply:

 

 


 

The programme includes:

  • A series of 12 expert-led business strategy masterclasses, focusing on topics such as defining your value proposition, hiring talent, sales strategy, marketing, intellectual property and much more – all designed to set your business on the road to success.
  • Mentoring and coaching from world-class scaleup experts.
  • Access to business and networking events.
  • Dedicated Barclays champions and mentors.
  • The opportunity to showcase your business to potential clients and investors at a Demo Day at the end of the programme.

Applicant Criteria:

Your Business:

  • Uses digital, technology to operate or deliver their value proposition.
  • Ready to scale i.e:
     
    • Either seed stage or beyond
    • Received investment
    • Launching your MVP
    • A UK registered business

You/Your Team:

  • At least 1 founder (or C-suite) self-identifies as Black or of Black heritage
  • You have proven expertise in your industry
  • You are available to attend all the masterclasses over the 12-week period
 

Testimonials:

Founders from the Class of 2021 share their experience of the Barclays Black Founders Accelerator these short videos below:

Kufa Matiya
CEO & Founder
FutureMatch (formerly MyPam)


 

Rem Carter
CEO & Founder
Fantagious


 

 

Audrey Limery
CEO & Founder
Kweevo


 

Application Process:

Stage 1: Written Application

Please check that you meet the criteria mentioned above. If you do, then complete the application form using the link below.

Stage 2: Video Submission

Shortlisted applications from stage 1 will be asked to submit a video answering a few questions.

Stage 3: Interview

Shortlisted applicants from stage 2 will go through a video interview with Barclays and Foundervine lasting 30 minutes.

Stage 4: Final selection

Shortlisted applicants from stage 3 will be sent an invitation to join the accelerator. They will have 2 days to accept the invitation. If we do not receive the acceptance we will invite the next applicant on the list to join the accelerator.
 

Register your interest for 2023

Masterclasses:

  • Defining Your Value Proposition
  • Customer Discovery
  • Identifying your Key Financial Drivers and Metrics
  • Product Development
  • Go to market strategy (GTM)
  • Branding and Design
  • Marketing for Growth
  • Advanced Social Media Strategy
  • Building a Sales Strategy
  • Hiring Good People
  • Diversity Supply
  • Managing Cashflow
  • Pitching Effectively (Part 1&2)
  • Legal Essentials for Entrepreneurs
  • CMS Q&A
  • Raising Capital

FAQs:

What does the programme cover?
The programme includes masterclasses (link to masterclass heading) which cover areas of sales, marketing, investment, technology, legal and accounting. In addition, we offer participants the chance to meet with industry experts who will mentor them through one-on-one consultations.

What kind of mentorship will I receive from this programme?
Each company will be paired with a mentor selected specifically for their expertise relevant to the goals of this programme. They will communicate with their mentees on a regular basis and will provide them advice on growing and scaling their business.

I’ve applied to the Barclays Black Founders Accelerator programme before. Can I apply again?
Repeat applications are always accepted, and prior applicants are encouraged to stay in touch.

Is this programme open to businesses from outside of UK?
This programme is open for businesses only in the UK.

Are these classes delivered online or offline?
These programmes are to be delivered online, however, there will be some networking sessions that will be held in person for the cohort to network.

What is the Demo Day?
The Demo Day culminates the 12-week Barclays Black Founder Accelerator, with selected founders pitching to an audience of potential investors and industry professionals.

Does the programme support the cohort after the program is over?
Yes, we stay in contact with the cohort members and follow their journey, continuing to offer support & advice through both Barclays Eagle Labs and Foundervines’ Community.

Who are Foundervine?

Foundervine is an award-winning social enterprise on a mission to support future leaders around the world on a journey to unlocking entrepreneurial potential. 

Created in response to the scarcity of diverse talent in the market, their focus is on running immersive entrepreneurship labs that help young people from under-represented communities imagine, start, and grow new ventures.

By building the pipeline of diverse talent in industry, Foundervine seek to encourage organisations and business leaders to invest in inclusive entrepreneurship, recognising the digital leaders of tomorrow.


Find out more

Meet the previous Black Founder Accelerator cohorts :
 

BFA Cohort 2021

Meet the Black Founder Accelerator cohort of 2021

Here is a selection of the 40 companies who took part in our Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2021.

Meet the cohort
BFA Cohort 2020

Meet the Black Founder Accelerator cohort of 2020

Here are the 25 companies who took part in our first Barclays Black Founder Accelerator in 2020.

Meet the cohort

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