The New Founder Programme is designed to help budding entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds start and grow their businesses into sustainable enterprises that have a positive, long-lasting impact on their communities.
Groundwork has joined a partnership with Pizza Hut Delivery and Hatch Enterprise to administer the 'New Founder Programme' – a grant programme designed to help budding entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds start and grow their businesses into sustainable enterprises that have a positive, long-lasting impact on their communities.
The grant funding can support participants to explore new markets, increase trading, build capacity or better measure impact. The grantees will be selected based on the impact the funding will have on their business, as well as the social and environmental outputs of the project.
To be eligible, applicants must be graduates of the New Founder Programme Launchpad and Incubator programmes. Graduates of the New Founder Programme's Launchpad scheme can apply for a grant for up to £1,000. Those who completed the New Founder Incubator programme can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to grow their businesses.
About the New Founder Programme
Following the successful graduation of the first year of New Founder Programme entrepreneurs, the programme is moving into the next phase with the introduction of a grant opportunity for participants with the aim to empower communities and open new avenues for people across the UK to enter business.
Many of Pizza Hut Delivery's franchisees come from underrepresented backgrounds and started as small businesses founders – and they continue to provide valuable employment to their communities. New founders will learn the skills they need to grow their business ambitions into sustainable enterprises.
To date, the New Founder Programme has supported 440 entrepreneurs and 57 new businesses – with an aim to reach 1,025 entrepreneurs and help to create 97 new businesses and 300 employment opportunities.
We're pleased to be working alongside partners on this exciting programme that will go a long way to kickstart social enterprise projects in local communities. We look forward to seeing the results of these initiatives and the positive benefits they will bring.
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork's UK Chief Executive
As a brand, we stand for more than just pizza. We are passionate about helping to open the door for a new generation of entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds – especially as, like our franchisees, entrepreneurs give so much back to their communities. Launching the next phase of our New Founder Programme with Hatch and Groundwork through this grant scheme is the perfect step to continue supporting more underrepresented business leaders to grow their businesses and thrive.
Katie Mellor, Chief Capability and Culture Officer, (Chief People Officer), Pizza Hut UK & Europe
At Hatch we're committed to building a better world through entrepreneurship by removing the barriers typically faced by underrepresented founders in the UK. We know that access to funding is something holding a lot of these entrepreneurs back from growing their businesses and deepening the impact they are able to have in their communities. This is why we're so pleased to be offering this new grant scheme in partnership with Pizza Hut and Groundwork. We look forward to seeing founders and their businesses thrive as a result of the support.
Dirk Bischof, Chief Executive, Hatch Enterprise
Applications for the grant are now open and close on 5th September 2022.
Who is eligible?
You must have graduated from either the Launchpad or Incubator programme delivered through Hatch to be eligible for a grant. You can apply if you are a:
- Sole trader or unincorporated business
- Company limited by shares or guarantee (including CICs)
- Limited Partnership
- Charity (including CIOs) or Charitable Trust
- Constituted not-for-profit group
- Co-operative Society
- Trust or Community Benefit Society
Grants are available to founders from under-represented groups, including:
- Founder from Black or minoritised ethnic background (includes Gypsies, Travellers and Roma)
- Female or other marginalised gender founder
- Young founder (under 30)
- Founder with a disability (includes physical, mental health, 'hidden' and learning disabilities)
- LGBTQIA+ founder
- Low income founder
- Unemployed founder
- Founder from a location with a high Index of Multiple Deprivation
- Founder who is experiencing or has experienced homelessness
- Founder who is or has been a migrant, refugee or asylum seeker
- Other under-represented group
Apply
Applications are now open and will close on Monday 5 September 2022. Please read the application guidance carefully before applying.
The next window for grant applications will open in July 2023.
APPLICATION GUIDANCE
APPLICATION FORM
If you have any questions about the programme or the application process please contact Groundwork at newfounderprogramme@groundwork.org.uk
The New Founder Programme is delivered by Hatch, funded by Pizza Hut/Yum! Foundation and grants are administered by Groundwork UK. The New Founder Programme will help hundreds of budding entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds start and grow their businesses. Entrepreneurs will learn the skills they need to grow their business ambitions into sustainable enterprises that have a positive, lasting impact on their communities.
Learn more or apply for the Launchpad or Incubator programme delivered through Hatch, by visiting the New Founder Programme website.
No comments:
Post a Comment