BREAKTHROUGH FOUNDERS | INTERIM RESULTS
Breakthrough Founders assesses companies against a consistent, evidence-led framework
Built on quantitative data from 2,550+ UK and European deals since 2025, combined with our proprietary qualitative data.
Led by The200BnClub and delivered with Catalyst, Focused For Business and Mint Ventures, the programme was designed to find promising startups across the UK and help founders make measurable progress towards funding.
Interim results, September 2026
The interim picture
These figures reflect the interim point in the programme. Fundraising outcomes are still being tracked as companies progress.
1,000+
initial applications
760+
assessed through the assessment engine
662
startups supported
253
startups in programme
45
companies reporting monetary funding
£26m+
in monetary funding reported
Funding across the partner pathways
45 startups reported £26,422,300 in monetary funding across 4 delivery partners to date.
Where the 44 funded startups took part
Pathway
Startups
Reported funding
The200BnClub
20
£21,824,000
Catalyst
9
£2,196,000
Focused For Business
6
£1,710,000
Catalyst + Focused For Business
4
£405,000
Catalyst + Mint Ventures
2
£20,300
Focused For Business + Mint Ventures
2
£212,000
Catalyst + Focused For Business + Mint Ventures
2
£55,000
Partner attribution
A startup on more than one pathway is credited to each relevant partner.
The200BnClub
20
startups
£21,824,000
Catalyst
17
startups
£2,676,300
Focused For Business
14
startups
£2,382,000
Mint Ventures
6
startups
£287,300
Mint Ventures served as a supporting partner; its attributed results reflect that role.
One assessment method. Different starting points.
Applications spanned 26 verticals and stages from Angel to Series A. We assessed companies consistently, while matching questions, evidence requirements and benchmarks to their stage and sector. The assessment identified what each company had proved, what remained to be done and which support should follow.
Assess
Stage, sector, evidence and funding requirement
Diagnose
The gaps affecting progress
Prescribe
Relevant specialist support
Prove
Evidence investors need to see
Connect to capital
When evidence supports the next step
Practical support, matched by pathway
Depending on the pathway, support can include a Fundability Review, VC Investment Memo, 90-day action plan, specialist sessions and mentoring, and investor preparation. Support varies by pathway and individual need.
Reach was national. Capital remains concentrated.
Breakthrough Founders aimed to reach promising founders across UK geographies, including women-led and mixed-gender teams. Interim results show applications and participating companies from across the UK. Recorded capital remains more concentrated in London and the South East, and this remains an important challenge rather than a solved problem.
60%
of initial applications came from outside London
64%
of companies reporting monetary funding were outside London
£13.88m
Interim result: 30 women-led or mixed-gender teams received reported monetary funding.
What founders said
Excerpts from founder feedback describe practical value from the review and support process.
Survey responses (n=64)
95% rated the Fundability Review positively. 93% said the VC Memo clarified how VCs would look at them. 93% would recommend the process to another founder. 89% felt more confident or somewhat more confident for their next pitch.
What comes next
Fundraising journeys are continuing, and outcomes will be updated as companies progress. Organisations interested in supporting a future cohort can get in touch to explore what a future programme could involve.