Future 100 provides investment and access to supply chains, backed up by expert business advice, coaching and mentoring, to break down the significant barriers faced by Black British entrepreneurs when setting up and growing their businesses.
The programme will also create a vital and tight-knit cohort of Black British entrepreneurs, with valuable, regular opportunities to network and share experiences, successes and challenges.
This flagship programme’s focus on economic empowerment and equity of opportunity will reduce inequality and enable young Black entrepreneurs to thrive and succeed.
BEO’s first official programme partner Sky will fully fund Future 100 for three years.
This is the first time a UK civil rights organisation and a corporate partner have set out to get behind Black business founders, in this way, supporting them to grow side-hustles into sustainable and long-lasting businesses.
The programme will help young Black entrepreneurs from all backgrounds whether they are in pre-seed, seed or growth phases.
Increased and improved access to finance: More Black founders confidently scaling and diversifying their businesses.
Business growth: More jobs created, more Black businesses succeeding.
Female founders boost: Equity and better representation of Black female founders, reflected in an increase in women entrepreneurs participating and accessing finance through Future 100 or from other investors.
Supply chain involvement: Increased participation of Black-owned SMEs within Sky’s supply chain and the wider economy.
Policy changes and wider systemic impact: Codification of Future 100 leading to more, similar programmes and partnerships with corporates, and ultimately wider policy and systemic changes in the UK entrepreneurship landscape.
Future 100 will:
BEO’s partnership with Sky began in 2021. Future 100 is a key part of the media and entertainment company’s £30 million commitment to tackle structural inequality and make a difference in communities impacted by racism.
This programme, supporting the development of Black-owned and led businesses in the UK, recognises that economic prosperity and wealth creation is at the heart of Black equity.
The programme is open to applicants between 18 and 30 years old of Black African, Black Caribbean, Black British and/or Mixed-race descent. You will need to be a UK resident.
Whether you have been working on an idea in your spare time, have a small side-hustle that is taking off or have the beginnings of a thriving business, the Future 100 Growth Fund can help.
For businesses
We are interested in hearing from businesses with ideas, start-ups and businesses with a high potential for growth, acceleration and scalability. Your business will need to be:
As a founder you will need to:
We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants from the digital marketing, creative, media and technology, sports technology, professional services, entertainment, logistics, education, health and lifestyle, FinTech and Internet of Things sectors.
Applications will open on the 1st of July and close on August 20th.
For the application process, we’ll ask you to complete a form describing your business idea and the problem it solves. We’re also interested in hearing about your motivation for developing the idea.
After applications close, we’ll review applications, and spend time getting to know even more about your team, market, progress, and idea through a two stage interview process. Our goal is to notify the final group of businesses and founders by the end of August.
Can I apply if I am above 30 years old?
The age range for founders has been set at between 18 and 30 years as the focus is on young Black founders.
Can I apply if I my business and start-up is a social enterprise?
No, the programme seeks to support technology driven, profit focused businesses that address real-world problems. Please see alternative programmes focused on social enterprises.
What is the mode of delivery? Do I have to be present in person for all sessions?
Hybrid delivery with both virtual and in-person sessions. Induction day, networking and workshop sessions will be in-person while other sessions will be delivered online. We aim to deliver a holistic, rewarding and impactful programme while being flexible so that you can make full use of the 12 weeks.
What is the scope of post-programme support available?
As an alumnus of the Future 100 Growth Fund, you will still be able to take advantage of networking opportunities, have access to online resources and potentially be able to extend engagements with your mentors.
Can I apply if I am outside of the United Kingdom as a Black British founder?
At this time, we are particularly interested in Black British founders with start-ups located and registered in the United Kingdom.
Can I apply if I am just at the business idea stage?
For this pilot cohort we are particularly interested in founders of businesses (that can potentially be accelerated) with product/service offerings that are at least minimum viable product stage.
Can I apply if I don’t live in the London area?
The Sky Future 100 Growth Fund is open to Black British founders with start-ups from across the entire United Kingdom, not just in the London area. However, for in-person sessions you may need to travel to venues in London.
Can I apply if I am the only founder?
While we encourage start-ups to have a team and apply with their founders, we are open to start-ups with a sole founder and have been able to gain some traction.
