What makes us different?
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 programme, we are delivering on our goal of ensuring the future of tech is an inclusive one for black people.
We are looking for inspirational UK black founders who want to take their ideas to execution and meet below criteria:
Deadline to apply : 11/01/2022
Join a strong ecosystem of the top talent in tech who have volunteered their time as Black Valley mentors. We currently have a network of more than 230 mentors who are available to support you at every stage of your startup journey.
We will connect you with pre-seed VC’s, angel groups & syndicates. The programme culminates in our Y combinator-style Demo Day presentation where we introduce you to investors and award grants (up to £10k) to three startups on the programme.
We equip founders with the best resources - through bespoke mentorship, weekly workshops, fireside chats with industry experts and access to free co-working space with our partners.
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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.
Why partner?
By the end of 2023, Black Valley aims to support 75 Black-led start-ups in realising their start-up ambitions and to have had 15 successful seed round closes.
We will support our founders with resources and the social capital that has been scarce and often hinders raising a pre-seed /seed round.
We will work closely with quality accelerators to
ensure our founders are set up for success as
the next Unicorns coming out of the UK.
We are looking for like minded companies, who like
us, want to make sure Black Founders are getting
the support needed to realise their start-up ambition.
By the end of 2023, Black Valley aims to support 75 Black-led start-ups in realising their start-up ambitions and to have had 15 successful seed round closes.
We will support our founders with resources and the social capital that has been scarce and often hinders raising a pre-seed /seed round.
We will work closely with quality accelerators to ensure our founders are set up for success as the next Unicorns coming out of the UK.
We are looking for like minded companies, who like us, want to make sure Black Founders are getting the support needed to realise their start-up ambition.
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.
Founder of Bloomful
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
Founder of Vetemonde
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.
Founder of Webflow
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
Head of LWGS
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
Graham hOBSONFounder of Photobox
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
Investor, EMEA at LEGO Ventures
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