About Breakthrough Founders.
One Name, Many Breakthroughs.
Breakthrough Founders is more than just fundraising, it’s also about the community of founders around you that are there to challenge your limits, fuel your ambition, and help turn bold visions into reality.
Eligibility:
Apply now if you:
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Are a UK resident (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland)
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Have a business that is registered in the UK or will be registered here.
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Are building an innovative business (new product, service, tech or model).
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Are seeking funding in the next 3–12 months.
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Are part of the founder groups that traditional funding often overlooks.*
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Can commit to participation and light-touch reporting (to track outcomes).
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A founder from one of the following underrepresented groups:
Women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, neurodivergent,those with disabilities, primary caregivers, individuals from non-traditional education routes, and those from people experiencing economic disadvantage backgrounds.
Stage 1: Application Begins
You’ll start with a short application (10 mins) that assesses where you are on the entrepreneurship journey.
Stage 2: Deeper Application
If you qualify, you’ll be invited to complete a further application . This builds a clearer picture of your business, your progress so far, and your funding ambitions. We may also invite you to a short interview or webinar so you can get to know us better, while we learn more about you and your business.
Stage 3: Assessment and Decision
We’ll review your application carefully. Once accepted, you’ll join a group of founders at a similar stage to you. If you’re unsuccessful at any stage of the application process, you’ll receive feedback on why, along with support to help you take the next step. When you’re ready to reapply to Breakthrough Founders – our door is open.
Breaking barriers. Building futures.
Funded by Innovate UK, Breakthrough Founders is a national consortium of award-winning organisations led by The200BnClub and delivered with Catalyst, Focused For Business, and Mint Ventures – all with one mission: to give brilliant founders the tools, network, and strategy to build, scale and secure funding.
From ideation and pitch prep to proven accelerator pathways, accessible angel investment and cutting-edge entrepreneurship methods, this is where expertise meets opportunity.
The200BnClub
Intensive award-winning VC fundraising training that combines data-driven feedback with practical pitching preparation.
£55M+ in term sheets secured; 250+ VC/angel network.
Catalyst
MIT Disciplined Entrepreneurship methods that personalise founder journeys and drive investment readiness.
140+ startups; £400M+ economic impact; 500+ founders trained via MIT’s Disciplined Entrepreneurship.
Focused For Business
Proven accelerator programmes tailored for early-stage founders with a 50% funding success rate.
177 founders raised £38.5M+ (£6.9M in the past year).
Mint Ventures
Making angel investment more accessible to women through education, the UK’s first values-based, women-led angel network is mobilising £5M+ in new capital to back diverse startups.