Female Founder Launchpad Programme
Applications closed.
Please view our programmes page for other opportunities or join our waiting list to be the first to hear when we run future editions of the programme.
Ready to move forward with your social impact business idea? Don’t know where to start when it comes to financing and marketing your business? There are so many questions when it comes to starting a business but you are not alone. If you’re a female or other marginalised gender founder with a social impact idea, navigating the unique challenges in the business world, this programme is right for you.
Over these three-month programmes, you’ll join a cohort of early-stage founders to explore essential business topics and learn from industry experts. From marketing and finance to pitching and networking, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to build a strong business foundation. If you have a business idea or a business with an annual turnover of around £1K, apply now and kickstart your entrepreneurial journey with our supportive community!
£1K
Graduates can apply through a competitive process for up to £1k of funding.
Hatch was incredibly crucial in empowering me and giving me all the tools that I needed to incorporate the business…it was an incredible experience
Agnese Cigliano
Aasté Rugs
About the Programme
Eligibility Criteria:
Don’t fit the requirements? View our other programmes
You want to launch your own business with a social purpose
You identify as female or another marginalised gender
You are based in the UK
Don’t fit the requirements? View our other programmes
Expert-Led Sessions
12 hours of expert-led masterclasses on mission development, business modelling, product/market fit, branding, sales, marketing, funding, and pitching, featuring Disability advocates and business specialists.
Cohort-Based Peer Learning
12+ hours of peer learning and peer coaching, plus informal drop in advice sessions. Gain fascinating insights, exchange ideas and swap skills with like-minded individuals.1-2-1 Support
Access to mentors to support you with navigating your business challenges.Demo Day
Showcase your business to a panel of experts and get actionable feedback on how to take your business to the next level.+122%
Launchpad founders said their confidence in being able to access the funding they need increased by 122%
+111%
Launchpad founders said their ability to measure the impact of their business went up by 111%.
+89%
Launchpad founders said their ability to communicate the impact their organisation was having went up by 89%.
“The mentoring was definitely the thing that helped me the most. If I need any help with anything they’ll give me a mentor that is specific to my needs. They’ve given me something that I never ever thought would be possible. I am a founder, I am a boss of my business”
Sylvia Mac
Founder Love Disfigure. Launchpad Graduate
Programme Schedule
The programme consists of 6 expert-led sessions, 6 workshops, a pitch and a graduation day.
1
What is the problem I want to solve?:
Creating your vision, mission, impact and values
- Expert session: Tues 9th Sept 6pm-8pm
- Workshop: Tues 16th Sept 6pm-8pm
2
How will I solve the problem?:
Business model and strategy: The Lean Business Model Canvas
- Expert session: Tues 23rd Sept 6pm-8pm
- Workshop: Tues 30th Sept 6pm-8pm
3
Will my plan work?:
Product/market fit and identifying your customer
- Expert session: Tues 7th Oct 6pm-8pm
- Workshop: Tues 14th Oct 6pm-8pm
4
How much will it cost?:
Costing, pricing and finance
- Expert session: Tues 21st Oct 6pm-8pm
- Workshop: Tues 28th Oct 6pm-8pm
5
How will I sell it?:
Branding, marketing, and sale
- Expert session: Tues 4th Nov 6pm-8pm
- Workshop: Tues 11th Nov 6pm-8pm
6
How will I fund it?:
Funding and accessing funding through pitching
- Expert session: Tues 18th Nov 6pm-8pm
- Workshop: Tues 25th Nov 6pm-8pm
Demo Day and Graduation:
- Graduation: Tues 2nd Dec 6pm-8pm
- Demo day: Weds 10th Dec 10am-12pm
Accessibility
Our goal is to make our programmes as accessible as possible. Each programme is designed with input from our cohorts and tailored to meet the unique needs of each group. During the application process, we will ask you to detail any accessibility needs we can support you with.
If you would like to request support in completing your application (e.g. transcribing your application answers), or to discuss your accessibility needs please email programmes@hatchenterprise.org
- Assistance completing the application form via Zoom or phone call.
- Alternate application form formats (large print, audio)
- Providing interview questions ahead of time
- Captions enabled on all sessions
- Option to have the camera off
- Session materials sent in advance
- Support workers are welcome to join sessions as well as AI notetakers upon permission from all cohort participants.
- Additional support from the programming team, including 1:1 sessions
- Experts and facilitators representative of the cohort
- Frequent breaks
- Expert sessions are recorded for review afterwards as many times as you’d like
- Flexibility around attendance, e.g., if you cannot attend a session, we can offer a 1:1 catch-up with the programme manager
Who we are
Hatch is a charity that supports underrepresented entrepreneurs from across the UK to imagine, launch, and grow businesses and organisations that are sustainable, successful, and have a positive and lasting impact on their communities. We’re working towards a fairer society by helping develop these founders’ skills, knowledge and confidence through our support programmes designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.
We’re not typical of the third sector. Although we’re a charity, as entrepreneurs ourselves we know what it takes to grow a business. We recognise that talent is equally distributed across society, but opportunities are not. Too many people from underrepresented backgrounds are unfairly prevented from realising their entrepreneurial potential to positively impact their own lives, the lives of others in their community and wider society. We’re working to change that by creating an inclusive ecosystem where everyone has access to the power of entrepreneurship to create a fairer economy.
Consequently, while much of our work and support is accessible to all, we focus on supporting founders who are women, from an ethnic minority background, or live with a disability or are neurodivergent – essentially anyone who might typically get overlooked when it comes to getting what they need to launch and grow an organisation in the UK.
9,000+ founders have been supported through our programmes and events.
M
Michelle Adams
I have had such a great experience with Hatch on the Female Founders Incubator Course from start to finish. I cannot thank them enough for all the advice, tips and help I have received throughout. I would 100% recommend Hatch to anyone who is starting a business or have already formed and running one.
R
Ruth Sturdy
Doing the Hatch Female Founders course was a huge turning point for me and my small business. The support was superb and the knowledge gained is something I will forever be grateful for. Huge thanks to the wonderful team that make up Hatch.
Apply now
Applications closed.
Please view our programmes page for other opportunities or join the waiting list to be the first to hear when our next programmes launch.
Frequently asked questions
The Launchpad programme is open to female and other marginalized gender aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals with early-stage business ideas who are looking to learn more and upskill in all things business. Whether you’re just starting to explore your concept or have recently launched your venture, this programme is designed to support you at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey.
This cohort will run concurrently with another Launchpad programme that is open to all participants. While expert sessions will be delivered jointly across both programmes, workshop sessions will be run separately for each cohort.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will automatically be considered for both Launchpad programmes, with preference given to the programme you apply for. There is no need to submit two applications.
No, a business plan is not required. We welcome participants at various stages, from those with just an initial concept to those who have started to flesh out their ideas. The programme is designed to help you develop and refine your business plan to aid you in launching your business.
Check out a week by week summary of the programme here.
Prior business experience is not required, and our programme is specifically designed for individuals who are new to entrepreneurship or have not previously run a successful business. We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds who are at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.
After completing the Launchpad, you’ll have access to our Graduate platform, Circle, for continued peer support. You may be eligible to apply for future once-off funding rounds from Hatch
All Launchpad graduates are eligible to apply for a competitive grant of up to £1000 upon completion of the programme. The programme will also teach you about various funding options, help you prepare for future investment opportunities and provide information about grants and other funding sources you might be eligible for.
The price of the programme can be viewed here.
This programme is valued at over £1500, but thanks to our partners we are able to offer the programme for a highly subsidised price.
If there is a cost associated with the programme and this is a barrier for you, please indicate that you would like to be considered for a bursary in the application form to reduce or remove the programme cost.
At Hatch Enterprise, we operate a trust-based self-referral system for bursaries. We believe you are best placed to understand your financial situation and needs. It is our policy to offer bursaries to anyone who:
- Is unemployed or underemployed.
- Is eligible for government assistance, including Universal Credit or benefits.
- Would risk their ability to meet their basic needs (eg. buy food, pay childcare, pay rent or make debt payments) by paying to join one of our programmes. This includes the needs of anyone who you may have a responsibility to as a carer.
- Would reduce their ability to afford things like public transport or fuel, or their ability to commute to work by paying to join one of our programmes.
- Anyone who has an unstable housing situation, and/or anyone who has very limited expendable income or savings.
- Anyone who would negatively affect their ability to run or grow their business by paying to join one of our programmes.
This is an online programme – 100% is delivered via Zoom.
There may be extracurricular (optional) events Hatch invites you to that may be in-person, such as networking events, which you would be welcome and encouraged to attend but are not compulsory.
Yes, each participant is entitled to 2 mentoring sessions which will be booked and completed over the 3 months.
Absolutely! You will be part of a cohort of founders at a similar level. We organise regular networking events and encourage peer collaboration.
Graduates gain access to our alumni network, follow-up mentoring sessions, and invitations to future events.
We accept 15-20 participants per cohort.
The Launchpad is open to all industries and types of business ideas.
Yes, we have a “Demo Day” at the end of the programme where you will have the opportunity to pitch your business idea to our team of Friendly Dragons, who will provide you with invaluable feedback on how you can refine your pitch, and maximise it’s impact. In addition to this, there will also be multiple Pitch Practice sessions to help you prepare.
The first step is to fill out the application form, which you can find here. The application form is your opportunity to tell us about you and your business idea or business. The more detail you can provide us with, the better! The form takes an average of 30-40 minutes to complete. If you need support filling out the application form, like support transcribing your answers please book a call with Niamh here.
If your initial application is successful, you will receive an invitation to complete part two of the application process. This section involves answering a series of questions through the Video Ask portal or via a Zoom call. We will send you the interview questions beforehand so you can prepare as best as possible.
After the application deadline, we’ll email you to let you know if you have secured a place on the programme.
Launchpad is our entry-level programme focused on early-stage ideas, whereas our other programmes cater to more established businesses with a minimum turnover of £5,000.
Many of our graduates have gone on to launch and run their own successful businesses. You can read some our graduate stories here:
- Csilla & her company Lucid
- Katie Cory and her company Peg & Reg
- Find more of our graduate stories here.
Our goal is to make our programmes as accessible as possible. Each programme is designed with input from our cohorts and tailored to meet the unique needs of each group. During the application process, we will ask you to detail any accessibility needs we can support you with.
If you would like to request support in completing your application (e.g. transcribing your application answers), or to discuss your accessibility needs please email Niamh at programmes@hatchenterprise.org
Read more about the accessibility support we offer here.