In collaboration with Barclays Eagle Labs

Barclays Black Founder Accelerator

Register interest for 2025

Championing Diversity in Entrepreneurship

The Barclays Black Founder Accelerator is the only accelerator of its kind, designed to help Black-led businesses become investment-ready and scale successfully. This bespoke 12-week programme provides exclusive access to investors actively seeking to work with Black founders ready to grow.
With expert-led Funding Growth Workshops, Business Audits, Investor Office Hours, and tailored introductions to sector-specific investors, this accelerator is focused on driving real funding outcomes.

Tailored Mentorship for Startup Growth

Unlike traditional accelerators that culminate in a pitch day, this programme directly connects founders with investors throughout the journey, ensuring meaningful relationships and opportunities to secure funding.
This investment-focused accelerator is designed to position founders for scalable success and ensure they have the right tools, knowledge, and investor connections to raise funding and grow their businesses.
What's on offer
Mentoring and 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

Programme speakers

Bukola Bayo-Yusif
Global Human Resource Director at Hedrick and Struggles
Thomas McQuade
Chief Official Officer at Sofa Club
Simi Lindgren
CEO and Founder of Yoty
Sarah Roach
Staff Product Manager at Deliveroo
Samanzahra Shabbir
Senior Associate - Coporate M&A and EMC Group
Natalia Nicholson
Founder and CEO of Women in Digital Business
Michael Ross
Technology and Commercial Transactions at Travers Smith
Fabian McNeilly
Coporate M&A and ECM at Travers Smith
Elizabeth Eze
Founder of Marketing Invested
David Miller
Global Head Cross-Product Market Developmentat S&P Global
CJ Tayeh
Founder and CEO of Flank
Daniel Tuitt
Experience Strategist at Riyadh Air
Emma Rees
Founder Angel and Executive Chair of Deployed

2025 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 2025.
20 March
Applications open
22 May
Applications close
03 Jul
Accelerator starts
23 October
Showcase day
ProcessCriteria

Application process

Competition is fierce for this transformative programme, so we have a 3-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 below.
Stage 2

Interview

Shortlisted applicants from stage 1 will go through a virtual interview with Barclays and Foundervine lasting 20 minutes
Stage 3

Final Selection

Shortlisted applicants from stage 2 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.

Masterclasses

Crafting Your Value Proposition
Mastering Product Evolution & Strategic Pivots
Perfecting Your Pitch: Storytelling & Strategy
Mastering Key Financial Metrics
Effective Cashflow Management
Building a Strong Brand
Marketing & Social Media Growth
Creating a Winning Sales Strategy
How to Pitch for Investment
Navigating Capital Raising: How I Raised My First Seed Round
Legal & Recruitment Essentials for Entrepreneurs
Managing Mental Health as a Founder
Meet the 2024 cohort
View all
AICHITECT
AICHITECT
Trybe
Trybe
WA Health
WA Health
Trapar
Trapar
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the programme cover?
The programme includes masterclasses 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.
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.
I’ve applied to this 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?
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 our newsletter to keep in touch.
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 Showcase Day?
Showcase Day marks the culmination of the 12-week Barclays Black Founder Accelerator, where selected founders pitch their ventures to an audience of potential investors and industry professionals.
Does the programme support the cohort after the programme is over?
Yes, we stay in contact with the cohort members and follow their journey, continuing to offer support & advice through the Foundervine Community.
Terms & 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.
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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 PolicyCode of ConductProgramme TermsFoundervine 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.
Would you or someone you know benefit from this programme?
Register interest for 2025