What is your name and background?
My name is Natasha Orumbie, and I am the founder of The Vegan Patty Lady, a UK-based brand creating culturally inspired vegan and gluten-free patties made with whole, natural ingredients.
Tell us about your business and how you started it. Have you always wanted to become a business owner? Where did the idea for your business come from?
The business started quite accidentally as a response to my own pain point — I couldn’t find tasty, culturally relevant vegan food that wasn’t full of ultra-processed ingredients. After transitioning to a vegan diet for health reasons, I began making food that I personally wanted to eat, focusing on flavour, culture, and nutrition. In doing so, I created a product that filled a real gap in the market and met a growing demand for healthier, authentic vegan options. That discovery led to the launch of The Vegan Patty Lady.
How did you come across the BEO F100 Growth Fund programme?
I had been sent information about the F100 Growth Fund programme by lots of people over the years. I actually applied last year but didn’t get on. When several people sent it to me again this year, I decided to try once more — and I’m so grateful that I did, as being selected to join the programme has been an incredible experience.
What made you want to apply?
I applied because I truly valued the incredible benefits of being part of a cohort-style incubator that combines business mentoring with high-quality training. The opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with other ambitious founders really appealed to me — and, of course, the investment opportunities for successful participants made it even more attractive.
What have been the key benefits of joining the F100 Growth Fund?
There have been so many benefits. Naturally, winning the £15,000 grant was absolutely game-changing for the business, but beyond that, the personal development and growth I’ve experienced as a founder have been immense. The ten-week programme was rigorous and full of accountability, which really pushed me to sharpen my strategy. Having access to a dedicated mentor — who continues to support me — and being introduced to investors I’m now in conversation with has also been invaluable. Overall, the experience has been truly transformative.
What would be your top tips for any business owners looking to apply for the next cohort of the F100 Growth Fund programme?
My biggest tip would be to make sure your business is genuinely ready for the level of growth and commitment the programme requires. Looking back, I think the reason I wasn’t selected the previous year is because my business wasn’t quite at that stage yet. Take the time to assess where your business is in its growth journey and be clear on how you would use the £15,000 in a tangible, measurable way that would drive real progress and capacity for future growth. Most importantly, just go for it — even if you don’t get in the first time, you’ll learn so much from the process.
