Black Venture Growth Programme
Applications closed
Accelerating growth for bold founders
Powered by Barclays Eagle Labs funded by UK Government
The Barclays Venture Growth Programme is a dedicated 16-week programme that focuses on growth and removing barriers to fundraising through targeted support. The programme will accelerate ventures and boost their success beyond the programme through a three-layer approach.
Assess
A series of assessments designed to understand the current state and opportunities for improvement, including talent profiling and a business audit.
Accelerate
A core business and investment-readiness development programme delivered by experts, in order to fundamentally prepare all ventures to raise investment.
Advocate
Brand-building activities, press opportunities, promotional and customer acquisition support, highlighting businesses in marketing channels, signposting to relevant stakeholders and championing in business networks.
Applications open
01 May 2024
Applications close
19 June 2024
Programme begins
06 August 2024
Successful applicant(s) notified
23 July 2024
Launch event
06 August 2024
In-person events
10 September 2024
08 October 2024
26 February 2025
Founder showcase 1
28 November 2024
Founder showcase 2
04 February 2025
Programme Components:
Through the 16 weeks the cohort will have access to the below:
- 8 masterclasses
- Talent profiling
- Business Audit
- Dedicated Adviser and 1:1 Funding Clinics
- Entrepreneur in Residence
- Investor Networking Events
- Community Networking Events
- Founder Spotlight Series
- Supplier Engagement
- Roundtables
- Investor founder showcases
- 1:1 Mentoring
- Investor Relationship Brokerage
Masterclasses:
- Achieving product market fit
- Securing the financial health of the business
- Business strategy
- IP and legal
- Product and service development
- Supply chain
- Leadership
- Market expansion
Applicant Criteria:
Your Business:
- Uses digital technology to operate or deliver their value proposition
- Revenue generating and/or VC backed
- Looking to significantly increase team size
- Demonstrably growing customer base and/or market share
- Aspiring national or international growth
- Ideally seeking to raise further investment
- 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 16-week period
The Application Process:
Competition is fierce for this transformative programme, so we have a three-stage application process to ensure applicants and their businesses are at the right stage of their journey and are able to gain the most benefit from the programme.
Stage 1: Written Application
Please check that you meet the criteria mentioned above. If you do, then complete the application form using the link above.
Stage 2: Interview
Shortlisted applicants from Stage 1 will go through a virtual interview with Barclays and Foundervine lasting 30 minutes
Stage 3: Final selection
Shortlisted applicants from Stage 2 will be sent an invitation to join the programme. 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 programme.
FAQs
What does the programme cover?
The programme includes masterclasses which cover areas of business strategy, supply chain, investment, leadership, intellectual property and legal and much more. In addition, we offer participants the chance to meet with industry experts who will advise them through one-to-one consultations.
What kind of mentorship will I receive from this programme?
Each company will be paired with an adviser selected specifically for their expertise relevant to the goals of their business. They will communicate with their advisees on a regular basis and will provide them advice on growing and scaling their business.
Will I be introduced to investors during the programme?
Foundervine leverages its broad network of community on behalf of the participants, making introductions and connections that help the founders expand their business.
Is this programme open to businesses from outside of UK?
While this programme is open for businesses only in the UK, Foundervine has resources and a community that is open and supports entrepreneurs across the world. Please subscribe to their newsletter here to keep in touch.
Are these sessions delivered online or offline?
The programme will be delivered online, however, there will be some networking sessions that will be held in person for the cohort to meet each other and network.
What is founder showcase?
Founder showcase culminates the 16-week Black Venture Growth programme, with selected founders pitching to an audience of potential investors and industry professionals.
Does the programme support the cohort after the programme is over?
Yes, Barclays and Foundervine stay in contact with the cohort members and follow their journey, continuing to offer support and advice.
About the partnership
In the Unlocking Growth report, access to finance is stated as the number one concern for founders in achieving success. We recognise the challenges are complex and workneeds to be done to address bias, power imbalances, access to networks and democratising opportunity. Through this partnership, Foundervine with Barclays, through Eagle Labs, is supporting Black and ethnically diverse founders to increase the flow of resources and capital through expert support, exclusive training, product showcases and network access.
Terms and conditions
Foundervine and Barclays Eagle Labs are working together to deliver the Barclays Black Venture Growth Programme. For this purpose, we are acting as a joint data controller in order to assess the startups that 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
Barclays Eagle Labs Privacy Policy Barclays T&C's Foundervine Privacy Policy
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.