The founder’s support guide · UK
Find the right support for your next stage.
Accelerators, incubators, mentors and business support can help you move forward. Start with the problem you need to solve, then choose the support that fits.
Links reviewed 12 October 2026. Check the provider’s current eligibility, terms and application dates. This is an independent guide; inclusion does not imply a partnership.
What is an accelerator?
An accelerator typically offers a structured period of support to help a business progress: workshops, mentoring, peer learning and introductions. Some focus on investment readiness; others on customers, leadership or growth. The name alone tells you little about the actual offer.
| Support | What to expect | When it may help |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerator | A defined programme or growth journey, often with milestones and a cohort. | You have a clear challenge and time to apply the learning. |
| Incubator | An environment for developing a business, potentially including workspace and ongoing advice. | You are validating an idea or building an early business. |
| Founder community | Peer connections, events and shared experience, with varying levels of structured support. | You need relevant peers and regular access to conversations. |
| Mentoring or coaching | Focused conversations about decisions, capability and accountability. | You need help working through a particular decision. |
| Growth hub or business support service | Advice and signposting, often based on location or business needs. | You need to navigate local support or specialist expertise. |
These categories overlap. Ask what you will actually receive, who delivers it and what is expected from you.
How to choose an accelerator
- Name the outcome. Do you need customer validation, a stronger sales approach, investment preparation or leadership support?
- Check the audience. Look at business stage, sector, location and the experience of previous participants.
- Inspect the delivery. Ask about mentor expertise, individual support, practical assignments and the balance between online and in-person sessions.
- Understand the commitment. Check fees, equity, attendance, travel, confidentiality and any commercial terms before joining.
- Speak to alumni. Ask what changed in their business, what took time and which support they actually used.
- Define success. Agree what evidence would show that joining was worthwhile and what you will make time for.
A well-known programme can still be a poor fit for your immediate need. A focused adviser conversation or customer experiment may be the more useful next step.
Questions to ask the programme team
- Which businesses benefit most, and who is unlikely to be a good fit?
- Who will support me, and how much individual time is included?
- Are investor or customer introductions included, and how are they arranged?
- What costs, equity terms or other obligations apply?
- What support continues after the programme?
- Can I speak with a recent participant at a similar business stage?
Where founders can look for support
This is a starting shortlist, not a ranking or a list of currently open applications.
NatWest Accelerator
A founder community offering support around growth, funding and leadership through its app, hubs and events.
Explore NatWest Accelerator →Barclays Eagle Labs
Explore its founder ecosystem, mentoring and growth programmes. Check the current programme offer and fit on its website.
Explore Eagle Labs →Help to Grow: Management
A business-school-delivered management programme for SME leaders. Check eligibility with the programme provider.
Official programme information →Enterprise Nation
Resources, events and adviser connections for people starting and growing businesses.
Explore Enterprise Nation →SETsquared
University-linked business acceleration and commercialisation support, including programmes for technology businesses and researchers.
Explore SETsquared programmes →RAEng Enterprise Hub
Explore support for engineering and deep tech founders. The Shott programme focuses on leaders preparing to scale.
Explore Shott Scale Up →Small Business Britain
Small business campaigns, training, programmes and practical learning resources.
Explore Small Business Britain →Regional business support
Search by location and need. Local growth hubs can help navigate support; GM Business Growth Hub is one example.
Find business support →Venture building and early-stage acceleration
These routes suit founders building a scalable venture. Investment programmes can involve equity, full-time participation or relocation. Read the current offer carefully.
Techstars London
Who it may suit: Early-stage ventures across sectors.
Location: London, with an international founder audience.
Mentoring, a structured accelerator and access to the Techstars network. Review the current investment terms and attendance requirements.
Entrepreneurs First
Who it may suit: Individuals looking to build a technology company.
Location: London and international locations.
A route for ambitious individuals to form a founding team and develop a venture. Check the current location journey and investment conditions.
Antler UK
Who it may suit: Individuals and founding teams at the earliest stages.
Location: London.
A residency supporting team formation, idea development and venture creation. Check the full-time commitment and investment selection process.
Bethnal Green Ventures
Who it may suit: Technology ventures with a social or environmental purpose.
Location: UK tech for good ecosystem.
An investment programme and ongoing support for founders developing technology for positive impact. Check impact criteria and investment terms.
Accelerate Cambridge
Who it may suit: Early-stage ventures seeking coaching and entrepreneurial learning.
Location: Cambridge.
Cambridge Judge Business School’s venture acceleration route. Ask about local participation, venture eligibility and the appropriate programme stage.
Regional ecosystems and associated networks
Location can shape access to workspace, mentors and funded support. Ireland is included as a nearby ecosystem; its programmes have their own eligibility and participation requirements.
Techscaler
Who it may suit: Technology founders from idea through growth.
Location: Scotland.
Scottish Government-backed support delivered by CodeBase, combining education, mentoring and community. Check membership eligibility and the pathway for your stage.
Tramshed Tech
Who it may suit: Technology founders seeking workspace and business support.
Location: Wales.
Explore its startup ecosystem, programme portfolio and business growth support. Availability and entry criteria vary by programme.
Catalyst
Who it may suit: Innovative founders and growing businesses.
Location: Northern Ireland.
Explore routes such as Co-Founders, Springboard and Way to Scale. Each serves a different stage, so ask which programme fits your current challenge.
Entrepreneurial Spark
Who it may suit: Founders and business leaders seeking growth support.
Location: UK and partner ecosystems.
A programme delivery organisation focused on founder development, coaching and commercial growth. Check the current partner programmes rather than assuming a single open accelerator.
NDRC / Dogpatch Labs
Who it may suit: Globally ambitious technology startups.
Location: Ireland, including Dublin participation.
An associated Irish accelerator ecosystem offering mentoring, investment and founder networks. Check current delivery arrangements, investment terms and on-site requirements.
Business schools for SME growth and strategy
For an established business, a management or strategy programme may be a better fit than a startup accelerator. The options below include SME-specific programmes and broader executive education. Compare the participant profile, fees, time away from the business and the practical work you will complete.
Oxford Saïd: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK
Who it may suit: Established small business owners seeking growth.
Location: UK, blended delivery.
A funded growth education programme with mentoring and a business growth plan. The provider currently specifies at least three years trading, 5–50 employees and £250,000–£15 million turnover; it is not intended for startups or sole traders. Confirm all criteria and cohort dates.
Cranfield School of Management
Who it may suit: Owner-managers and SME leadership teams.
Location: Cranfield and online options.
Its SME portfolio includes the Business Growth Programme, Ready for Scale, management, finance and sales development. A strong starting point for work on a live growth strategy. Most options are fee-paying; check the specific course.
London Business School
Who it may suit: Experienced leaders developing strategy and execution skills.
Location: London and other delivery options.
Explore strategy executive education, including Executing Strategy for Results. These are broader leadership programmes, so check suitability for your SME and the level of experience expected. Its separate incubator is restricted to LBS alumni founders.
Cambridge Judge Business School
Who it may suit: Founders and leaders seeking entrepreneurship or strategy development.
Location: Cambridge and online options.
Explore entrepreneurship programmes alongside executive education in strategy, leadership and innovation. Accelerate Cambridge is listed above for venture support; executive education is a different learning route.
Warwick Business School
Who it may suit: Leaders looking to turn strategy into action.
Location: Warwick and London options.
Its executive education portfolio includes Strategy into Action and leadership development. Check the current course location, participant profile and fees. These courses are not exclusively for SMEs.
Strathclyde Business School
Who it may suit: Established SME owners and senior leaders.
Location: Scotland.
Explore SME scale-up support and executive development through SEED, including Help to Grow: Management. Check the current format, eligibility and fees with the programme team.
Imperial Business School
Who it may suit: Leaders tackling technology, innovation and strategic change.
Location: London and online options.
Explore executive and professional education in strategy, management, finance and technology. Compare the learning objectives with your business challenge; this is broader executive education rather than a general SME accelerator.
INSEAD: an international option
Who it may suit: Owners, directors and entrepreneurial leaders.
Location: International campuses and programme-specific formats.
For leaders willing to consider learning outside the UK, explore Entrepreneurship: New Business Ventures and owner/director development. Check location, experience requirements, fees and travel before shortlisting.
Make business school learning pay its way
Ask whether the programme will help you make a specific decision: entering a new market, improving margins, building a leadership team or changing your business model. Request a sample timetable, speak to an SME alumnus and budget for implementation as well as tuition and travel.
Use our growth plan and SWOT guide to prepare a live business challenge. After the course, turn your priorities into a 90-day plan, then explore InkWell to work through strategy frameworks and communicate your thinking.
Prepare a useful application
Follow the programme’s questions and guidance. Prepare a concise account of your customer problem, offer, evidence of demand, current stage, team and growth challenge. Explain why this programme fits and how you will make time to participate.
- Separate actual revenue, customers and trials from forecasts and aspirations.
- Include evidence that is relevant to the selection criteria.
- State the decisions or capabilities you want help with.
- Check deadlines and requested documents on the provider’s site.
Clarify your value proposition → · Draft your growth plan → · Prepare for a mentoring session →
Other information founders often need
Funding and cash flow
Understand what the money is for, when it is needed and what obligations come with it. Loans, grants and equity have different requirements. Programme participation or investor introductions do not guarantee funding.
British Business Bank: understand finance options →
Innovation support and specialist connections
Innovate UK provides routes to innovation support, funding and specialist networks. Check the current services and competition criteria rather than assuming every technology project qualifies.
UKRI: business innovation support →
Setting up and running the business
Use official guidance for registration, tax and business responsibilities. Bring specific questions to an accountant or legal adviser when your circumstances require it.
Intellectual property
Identify what you create, who owns it and what agreements are in place before sharing or commercialising it. The Intellectual Property Office provides introductory business resources.
Intellectual property resources →
Customers, priorities and progress
Keep customer conversations, evidence and practical actions at the centre of your work. A programme is most useful when you apply the learning to a live business decision.
Understand customer alternatives → · Plan the next 90 days → · Review progress →
Continue with InkWell
Put your business thinking to work.
Use the resources to prepare your ideas, then explore how InkWell guides strategy frameworks and helps turn strategy into communication.
Explore InkWell