Empower100 is an 8-week accelerator to help founders unlock the next stage of growth for their startup through a series of workshops, networking, training, peer-to-peer support and pitch events. It is designed specifically for Black, Asian and minority ethnic founders, women founders and founders with a disability.

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Virgin StartUp have worked with thousands of founders to help them develop the skills, confidence, contacts and networks to grow their businesses and thrive.

Empower100 has been designed by experts to help you:

• Get the necessary materials together for fundraising

• Understand the funding landscape and investor expectations

• Develop a strong pitch by practicing with actual investors

• Learn how to find and approach potential investors

You’ll also get follow-on support after the programme not only by being added to our alumni community group, but also getting a dedicated mentor for 6 months and 6 additional months of facilitated peer mastermind sessions with your cohort to go on the fundraising journey together.

We’ve designed our accelerator specifically for women founders, Black, Asian and minority ethnic founders; and founders with a disability.

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have a UK business based in Greater London
• Been trading for a minimum of 18 months
• Have at least 2 employees
• Have a minimum turnover of £50k per annum
• Be raising investment for the first time
• Have a strong underlying business proposition

We're industry-agnostic, so are looking for ambitious founders from different industries. 

We review each application carefully and select a group of businesses that, we feel, are at a similar stage in their development. This allows us to ensure that the content delivered throughout the programme is relevant and targeted. It also ensures that participants get the most out of the interaction with their peers.

Places on the programme are strictly limited. Therefore we are unable to offer a place for business partners or friends at the workshops.

However, you are welcome to bring a business partner to attend with you to some of the 1-2-1 sessions with advisors.

The programme will be delivered in a hybrid format with two days in person in London and the rest delivered via Zoom.

The programme will last eight weeks with one full day of workshops per workshop and an additional 1 to 2hrs of 1-2-1 meetings with advisors and mentors. The programme will last 5 to 7 hours per day with scheduled breaks.

Nothing! The Empower 100 programme is free to attend for all founders selected to join.

You start your application by clicking Apply on this page, where you'll be redirected to the initial application form. 

Applications are open for our 24th January – 14th March cohort. Applications close 16th January.

We can't guarantee investment after taking part, but you can be sure we'll give you the tools, skills, networks and support to give you the best possible chance. You got this. 

The Empower 100 programme will take place every quarter throughout 2023/24. You can send us your application any time and you can also sign up to receive the Virgin StartUp email newsletter to find out when application windows open. 

Below are the cohort dates for 2023/24:

• 24th January 2024 – 14th March 2024
• 4th April 2024 – 23rd May 2024
• 18th July 2024 – 5th September 2024
• 3rd October 2024 – 21st November 2024