Discovering & investing in the
UK's best Black led startups



proudly sponsored by

Founders Programme

The UK startup ecosystem is failing Black entrepreneurs with innovative ideas!

The ethnicity of an entrepreneur and of a founding team affects access to venture capital in the UK, with Black founders receiving just a 0.24% and Black female founders receiving 0.02% of the total venture capital invested over the past 10 years {Source: Extended Ventures, diversity beyond gender report}.

Black Valley addresses these issues through our Founders programme. By backing and supporting exceptional Black founders through our 8-week accelerator programme, we are delivering on our goal of ensuring the future of tech is an inclusive one for black people

waiting list

Realise Your Startup Ambition

We are looking for ambitious UK black founders who are looking to raise some capital within the next 3-6 months to take their ideas to the next level.

Criteria To Apply

✅ Identify as Black or Mixed black heritage

✅ At least 50% of the business is owned by someone who identifies as black or mixed black heritage .

✅ You have not raised more than £200k in capital

✅ Have completed customer validation and tested the initial business model

✅ You can commit to the programme (3-5 hours a week)

✅ You are UK based

✅ Age 18 or above

Apply now

Why Should I Apply?

What our community say about us

Our community compose of people at different stages of their start up journey and entrepreneur journey, all together in one place to learn from each other and give back.

Vlad Magdalin - Partner

Founder of Webflow

We're proud to partner with Black Valley to help the next wave of Black founders get dedicated support, mentorship, and funding in their entrepreneurship journey. We want to see a world where there is much more diversity in tech – especially in who is empowered to start them and build wealth through them.
Suzanne Gauron  - Partner

Head of Launch With Goldman Sachs

At Goldman Sachs, we know that the pipeline of talented diverse entrepreneurs is strong and organizations like Black Valley are doing the work of enabling the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and visionaries. We are proud to support their mission of elevating founders in the early stages of their journey
Dan Glazer - Partner

Managing Partner of Wilson Sonsini

At Wilson Sonsini we know that diversity and inclusion lead to thriving business ecosystems that produce exceptionally innovative technology and emerging growth enterprises. We are proud to partner with Black Valley as they continue to support and mentor talented early-stage Black founders throughout their entrepreneurship journey
Vlad Magdalin  - Partner

Founder of Webflow

We're proud to partner with Black Valley to help the next wave of Black founders get dedicated support, mentorship, and funding in their entrepreneurship journey. We want to see a world where there is much more diversity in tech – especially in who is empowered to start them and build wealth through them.
Suzanne Gauron  - Partner

Head of Launch With Goldman Sachs

At Goldman Sachs, we know that the pipeline of talented diverse entrepreneurs is strong and organizations like Black Valley are doing the work of enabling the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and visionaries. We are proud to support their mission of elevating founders in the early stages of their journey
Alberta Asafo-Asamoah - Founder

Founder of Vetemonde

I was neutral about what I wanted from the programme. I was looking for continuity as it pertains to the motivation to continue with my start-up, particularly after completing my masters.However I got more than I had anticipated, through the network, mentors, support and feedback. 10/10
Dr Dupe Burgess - Founder

Founder Of Bloomful

The programme helped me solidify my pitch, proposition and deck - including my go to market strategy. I've really enjoyed being part of a strong community which is committed to uplifting black people in tech. I feel like this is a community I will be part of for a long time to come.
Parin Shah  - Mentor

Investor,EMEA at Lego Ventures

The European Start-up ecosystem is crying out for something like Black Valley to help black founders really thrive and connect the dots at the earliest stages. I love supporting founders coming through the programme who are always thoughtful and hungry
Graham Hobson  - Mentor

Founder of Photobox

It’s been my pleasure to work with ambitious and passionate founders on their journey through the Black Valley programme. I like having the opportunity to pass on some experience I’ve gained over the years to this ambitious bunch
Dr Dupe Burgess - Founder

Founder Of Bloomful

The programme helped me solidify my pitch, proposition and deck - including my go to market strategy. I've really enjoyed being part of a strong community which is committed to uplifting black people in tech. I feel like this is a community I will be part of for a long time to come.
Parin Shah  - Mentor

Investor,EMEA at Lego Ventures

The European Start-up ecosystem is crying out for something like Black Valley to help black founders really thrive and connect the dots at the earliest stages. I love supporting founders coming through the programme who are always thoughtful and hungry
Graham Hobson - Mentor

Founder of Photobox

It’s been my pleasure to work with ambitious and passionate founders on their journey through the Black Valley programme. I like having the opportunity to pass on some experience I’ve gained over the years to this ambitious bunch
mentor a founder

Pay It Forward

Over a decade in the UK, only 38 Black Entrepreneurs received funding via venture capital.

We are looking for start-up founders, experienced executors who, like us, want to ensure the UK startup ecosystem is diverse.

Our mentors are startup founders and A+ executors in tech who are as passionate about disrupting the start-up ecosystem and supporting black founders as we are.

BECOME A MENTOR
SPONSOR THE PROGRAMME

Partner With Us

We support our founders with resources and the social capital that has been scarce and often hinders raising a pre-seed /seed round.

We are partnering with Goldman Sachs and Wilson Sonsini to support Black led UK start ups.

We are looking for like minded companies, who like us and our existing partners, want to make sure Black Founders are getting the support needed to realise their start-up ambition

PARTNER WITH US