Applications are open for the Digital Catapult Black Founders Programme 2024. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Digital Catapult Black Founders Programme
The Black Founders Programme is a 13-week accelerator targeted at pre-seed or seed stage, Black founded companies creating innovative products and services in the creative industries.
The aim of the programme is to fast track high-growth potential startups from a business and investment perspective, providing the support needed to increase their investment readiness level. Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK are collaboration partners for this programme and will play an active role in supporting business growth & facilitating connections where possible.
Benefits of Digital Catapult Black Founders Programme
The Black Founders Programme aims to accelerate business growth and boost market presence of deep tech startups in the creative industries. Programme participants will access the following benefits:
- Business and investment health scans
- Masterclasses, mentoring and coaching from industry experts
- Potential for funding opportunities. To offset any costs to a business by participating within the programme, each startup will receive an equal share of a £30,000 pot as a financial contribution towards completing the programme. The money will be provided using contributions from Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK.
- Opportunities to engage with Sony Music UK & Sony Music Publishing UK
- Access to potential partners, investors and customers
- Access to state-of-the art facilities and deep tech expertise
Digital Catapult Black Founders Programme Requirments
In order to be eligible for the programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- UK based pre-seed and seed stage companies in the creative deep tech sector.
- Applicants looking to raise investment in the next 12 months.
- Applicants must have at least one founder that self-identifies as Black or multiracial with Black heritage.
- Are currently working within the creative space (for example music, arts, gaming and advertising).
- Applicants must be eligible to receive €20,000 in State Assistance (De Minimis Aid).
To be considered, Digital Catapult supports companies using advanced digital technologies including:
- Future networks and advanced digital infrastructure (internet of things including low powered wide area networks, NB-IoT, LIFI etc. and includes sensors, edge devices, wearables etc.)
- Immersive technologies - extended reality (virtual, augmented, mixed reality and haptics)
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning (natural language processing, machine vision, deep learning)
- Distributed ledger technologies (blockchain etc.)
- Quantum
Selection Criteria
- Problem & Solution (25%): The applicant should demonstrate that their company is addressing a clear problem, as well as applying advanced technologies to tackle the challenges in the selected focus areas.
- Growth Potential (25%): The company should be capable of identifying the key challenges they are facing in the market. They should be able to identify a clear use for potential future investment.
- Business Strategy (25%): The company should be able to articulate its revenue model, who its customers are and objectives for the future.
- Ability to Execute (25%): The company and its employees should have the necessary experience and skill to consistently develop, deliver and commercialise their solution.
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply
Application Deadline
07 July, 2024
Scholarship Application Portal
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Digital Catapult Black Founders Programme
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