helping start ups and scale ups fulfil their potential

The Founders Hub
Investment Programme

Looking to grow and thrive?

We supercharge businesses we love, and invest in people we believe in.

Whether you are just starting out – or looking to scale up – our team of experienced founders can inject the funds, experience, resources and strategic advice you need to grow and thrive.

Are we right for you?

There are four things that make us sit up and take notice:

As likable, credible founders ourselves we want to work with likable, credible founders

We know and love
everything B2B

The geek in us is happiest when scaling through technology

We buy into businesses with a point of difference and a genuine brand story

Apply for our programmes

Incubate

For those looking to turn a good idea into a great business.

Accelerate

To give young businesses more oomph.

Here’s what we offer

Join our programme and we will invest £100,000 in your business.

We ask for a 30% equity stake for our funding, strategic guidance, operational support and access to our network of experts and resources.

Together we will agree on the most effective way to spend your funding – we do not believe in boilerplates. Here are two examples of recent companies we have partnered with.

Company A

The experienced entrepreneur at the helm here had already created a popular B2B business with a growing reputation.

The challenge was to scale rapidly while maintaining service levels by developing online systems, expand market reach and hiring an assistant to enable the founder to focus on strategy.

Company B

Company B had devised a new B2B product that had spun out of an established business. Their challenge was to develop the technology that could automate what was previously done manually.

Once that was complete, they invested heavily in marketing to grow their revenue so that they could invest their profits in scaling up the team.

The application process

Let us know you are out there

If you fit the bill, we’d love to work with you. And if we think we can add value, we’ll talk you through how best to pitch to us (we’re nice like that).

Give us your best pitch

Take us through your vision and business plan – polish your smile and turn on the charm.

We make you an offer you can’t refuse

We work with you for a day to get under the skin of your business and to understand its growth opportunities and potential growth pains. And here’s the bit you’ve been waiting for: we invite you to join the Investment Programme.

Let’s get to work

You now have access to a dedicated Operations Manager (to make things happen) and your very own Entrepreneur in Residence (to mentor and consult).

You have also unlocked £100,000 of services to build your business.

Our team of experts are always on hand as your go-to team to power your growth and add value to your bottom line.

Get expert advice where you
need it most

Strategy icon
Strategy
Align your strategy to hit your targets
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System design and build
Design, build and optimise the perfect system.
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Brand
Create a memorable brand story
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Website design and build
UX specialists, graphic designers and programmers for a website that delivers
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Sales and marketing
Identify , connect and convert your ideal customers
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Publicity and communications
Get your brand out there
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Data
Ensuring you have the insight you need
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HR
Build your leadership and your teams as you grow
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Mentoring
Access a sympathetic ear and a guiding voice
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Strategic partnership
Plug into ready-made networks for advantage and growth
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The Financials
Strategy, planning, reporting and compliance
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Fundraising
Gain additional investment as you need it

Frequently asked questions

The original growth programme was devised by serial entrepreneurs Rob Harlow and Ryan Welmans to help them speed up the growth of Sopro, their first joint venture. The programme has since evolved into the Founders Hub Investment Programme: there is now a team of 200+ experts, and the associated experience and ability to tailor the programme to support new ideas or existing ventures.

No. Whilst B2B ventures are our speciality, our team does have considerable B2C experience. So if you have a great B2C idea and we think we can add value, we’re excited to get talking.

So far, all of our investment programme businesses have involved digital technology. They typically fall into one of these areas:

  • Digital Tech – Networking, Data / AI, Cybersecurity and privacy.
  • Digital Cities – Mobility, City Analytics, Safety.
  • Digital Industry – Logistics, Production, Retail.
  • Digital Wellbeing – Healthy youth, Occupational health, Independent living,
  • Digital finance – Retail banking & insurance, Asset Management and Corporate financial services.

No. You can apply any time.

Yes. We know that it is important to spend every penny wisely. And for that reason, we’ll offer you some desk space in our fully serviced Brighton offices as well as access to our meeting rooms.

Here’s a few things to consider while you’re waiting, so you can prepare for when the investor gets in touch to take things forward. Click here to find out more.