We back underrepresented entrepreneurs with great ambitions who are ready to build, raise, and scale.
Breakthrough Founders is a national accelerator led by The200BnClub and initially backed by Innovate UK. Catalyst, Focused For Business and Mint Ventures run their own specialist pathways. Together, the partners deliver Breakthrough Founders.
Fit Check
Full Assessment
Report
Acceptance
Breakthrough Founders is delivered by a powerhouse of award-winning teams, with a track record of unlocking real progress and real capital for founders:
Backed by the UK’s first values-based, women-led angel network, mobilising £5M+ in new capital for diverse startups.
280+ companies supported each year in their start-up and scale.
177 early stage founders raised £38.5M+, including £6.9M+ in the past year alone.
350+ investors in our combined VC and angel networks.
£55M+ in investor term sheets secured.
Figures shown are from the partners’ prior programmes; Breakthrough Founders combines this experience in a new collective.
Why You’re Here.
The startup ecosystem isn’t short on talent; it’s short on funding the vision.
You’re ambitious and building something innovative.
You’re ready to turn your work into traction, and traction into capital.
You’re looking to raise capital in the next 3–18 months and you're ready to sharpen your story, your strategy and your investor pitch.
What You'll Get.
A tailored breakthrough track - Once accepted, you’ll be matched to the right track for the stage you’re at.
Every applicant moves through our structured Fit Check. It’s the quickest way for us to understand where you are, what you need, and where you’re heading.
Fully online, built for access - Join from anywhere in the UK and fit the tracks around your life. No barriers, just breakthroughs.
Breakthrough Idea
Applications Now Closed.
You’ve done the research and know the problem is real. Now you want the structure, support and skills to secure grant funding or investment.
Breakthrough Raise
You’ve built and tested an early version of your product. Now you’re raising your first or second round and need investors who see the opportunity you’ve created.
Breakthrough Growth
Breakthrough Scale
You’re raising your Series A. You’ve done the groundwork - now it’s about sharpening the strategy, positioning, and pitch to scale with serious capital.
Applications Open
September 2025
Dates
The first breakthrough tracks start in Autumn 2025 - apply now!
Cost
This programme is fully funded by Innovate UK. There is no cost to apply and there are no hidden costs to participate!
Access
Accessibility is part of our offer, we support founders with disabilities at every step. Please let us know in your application if you have any accessibility requirements.
Across every Breakthrough, you’ll gain:
Investor-ready training from award-winning partners.
Access to VCs, angels, and operators funding what others overlook.
A founder community that fuels ambition and shares the wins.
The tools and confidence to close your next round.
