Join a supportive community of entrepreneurs and experts to get the support you need to launch, grow and scale your business.
Applications are now open!
Join a supportive community of entrepreneurs and experts to get the support you need to launch, grow and scale your business.
Applications are now open!
Got a business idea but feeling stuck at the starting line? You’re not alone. Many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle to take their first steps – whether it’s doubting if you’re cut out for business, feeling overwhelmed by where to begin, or finding it hard to explain your idea to others.
At Hatch Enterprise, we specialise in helping people from underrepresented backgrounds start and grow their own businesses. That’s why we’ve created our Get Ready to Start programme in partnership with Linklaters, Funding Circle and The Gosling Foundation, designed specifically for young aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18–25, providing the practical support and community you need to take your first steps into entrepreneurship.
You’ll be joining a supportive community of aspiring entrepreneurs who share your ambitions and face the same questions you do. We’ll help you build the confidence to see yourself as an entrepreneur, understand the fundamental building blocks of starting a business, and connect with others who are at the same stage of their journey.
Since joining and being a part of the Hatch community, I feel so much more confident in building a business and taking the plunge.
Shana Gujral
Think Lila
You have a business idea you wish to develop further
You are aged 18–25
You are based in the UK
6 online participatory facilitated cohort-based workshops, gain fascinating insights and swap skills with like-minded individuals.
Join the Hatch Community on Circle and network with your peers, as well as accessing programme content and signposting to other resources
Space to ask questions, talk through your business challenges and get tailored guidance along the way.
“My confidence, it just jumped up throughout the programme. It was an amazing community to be a part of. I just didn’t know that it existed and that charities like Hatch existed.”
Abi Read – Founder
Clay Days
Establishing a clear, compelling foundation for your business.
Developing a concise, strategic blueprint for the business.
Building a legally compliant and structured business.
Building customer trust and loyalty
Simplifying financial management and exploring funding options.
Building confidence in communicating your business idea
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
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 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 women, those from an ethnic minority background, Disabled and neurodivergent founders and young people – essentially anyone who might typically get overlooked when it comes to getting what they need to launch and grow an organisation in the UK.
10,000+ founders have been supported through our programmes and events
of founders participating in our programmes are women or from other marginalised genders
of founders participating in our programmes are from an ethnic minority background
of founders participating in our programmes are Disabled or neurodivergent
M
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
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.
Thanks to the generosity of our partners this programme is provided free of charge.
Date of next programme:
Do you have any questions? Are you unsure if this is the right course for you? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing our team at programmes@hatchenterprise.org.
The Get Ready to Start programme is designed for young people aged 18–25 who are based in the UK, have a curiosity about entrepreneurship, and want to explore whether starting a business is right for them. You may have one or more business ideas you’d like to develop.
If this doesn’t describe you, click here to check out our programmes page for alternative opportunities.
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 us at programmes@hatchenterprise.org
Read more about the accessibility support we offer here.
Our Get Ready to Start programme is designed for individuals who are still undecided about whether entrepreneurship is the right fit for them. It’s about refining the business idea(s) you have, learning the basics of business, and reaching a stage where you can decide whether you want to continue on the journey to launch your venture. Our other programmes are focused on launching, growing, or scaling existing businesses that generate revenue.
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, aiding you in launching your business.
Thanks to the generosity of our partners, this programme is provided free of charge.
The programme runs across three months, with fortnightly scheduled workshops taking place on Tuesday evenings from January to March.
No, however, once a graduate of Get Ready to Start, you’d be able to apply for our further programmes (Launchpad, Incubator, Deep Dive), which do come attached to grants
Check out a week-by-week summary of the programme here.
Prior business experience is not required. Our programme is designed to cater to individuals from diverse backgrounds, and assumes most are completely new to entrepreneurship.
This programme is delivered entirely online via Zoom.
There may be optional extracurricular 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.
We welcome business ideas from all sectors. Our tailored approach ensures that mission-driven business ideas, whether in technology, food and drink, retail, services, or any other industry, receive the guidance they need to create positive change.
We’re looking to onboard 25 participants onto this programme.
After completing the Get Ready to Start programme, you’ll have access to our Graduate platform, Circle, for continued peer support. You will have access to Hatch Graduate events such as pitch and finance clinics, pitch competitions, mentoring opportunities, etc.
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 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 window closes, we’ll email you to let you know if you have secured a place on the programme.
