Applications closed. Please view our programmes page for other opportunities or join our newsletter to be the first to hear when we plan to run future editions of the Launchpad.

Are you a female founder who is looking to change the world for the better with your new business? Hatch Enterprise is partnering with BlackRock to give rising women entrepreneurs affordable access to one of the UK’s best business Launchpads for social and environmental businesses.

If you’re a woman who is looking to launch, or has recently launched, an impact business, our Launchpad will connect you with other inspirational female founders who are on a mission to build a better world. Our programme will also get you access to workshops with experts on how to make a big difference with a small business.

Graduates will have the opportunity to have their business spotlighted by Hatch and Blackrock to encourage greater impact for their business. They will also get the chance to apply to competitive business grants of up to 1K, and be matched with consultants in BlackRock’s Women Initiative Network.

£1K

Graduates can apply for up to 1k of funding.

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

Expert-Led Sessions

12 hours of expert-led masterclasses on mission development, business modelling, product/market fit, branding, sales, marketing, funding and pitching.

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.

Financial Clinic

Work through key questions about your prices, cost, overheads and sales with a financial expert, in order to make decisions about your business strategies. 

Pitch Day

Showcase your business to a panel of experts and get actionable feedback on how to take your business to the next level.

The Hatch team: so knowledgeable, so enthusiastic, so supportive. I have grown in ways I didn’t even know I could. It’s as transformative as therapy.

Yasmin Spark – Founder

Align Events

An alcohol-free event service to be inclusive of those who want to celebrate while sober.

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The programme consists of 6 expert-led sessions, 6 workshops held in smaller groups and a pitch day. 

1

What is the problem I want to solve?:

Creating your vision, mission, impact and values

 

Expert session: Tue 2 May 6pm-8pm

Workshop: Thu 11 May 6pm-8pm

2

How will I solve the problem?:

Business model and strategy: The Lean Business Model Canvas

Expert session: Tue 16 May 6pm-8pm

Workshop: Thu 25 May 6pm-8pm

3

Will my plan work?:

Product/market fit and identifying your customer

 

Expert session: Tue 30 May 6pm-8pm

Workshop:  Thu 8 June 6pm-8pm

4

How much will it cost?:

Costing, pricing and finance

 

Expert session: Tue 13 June 6pm-8pm

Workshop:  Thu 22 June 6pm-8pm

5

How will I sell it?:

Branding, marketing, and sale

 

Expert session: Tue 27 June 6pm-8pm

Workshop: Thu 6 July 6pm-8pm

6

How will I fund it?: 

Funding and accessing funding through pitching

 

Expert session: Tue 11 July 6pm-8pm

Workshop: Thu 20 July 6pm-8pm

7

Pitch Day:

Pitching your business to friendly Dragons

 

Thu 27 July 10am-12pm

8

Graduation Day:

Graduation celebration

 

Thu 27 July 6pm-8pm

* Joint Graduations and Demo Day

Apply now

Price:

£50

£25 early bird discount available if you apply by 3rd March. This programme is valued at over £1500, but thanks to our partnership with BlackRock participants are asked to pay £50. There are also a limited number of bursary places available.

 

If you have any issues filling in the form linked below, please contact  programmes@hatchenterprise.org

Requirements:

  • You are based in the UK
  • You have an idea and want to launch your own business
  • You want to increase your business knowledge, skills and confidence
  • You want to network and be part of a cohort of other entrepreneurs
  • You can commit to attending the majority of sessions and the Pitch Day

Applications closed. Please view our programmes page for other opportunities or join our newsletter to be the first to hear when we plan to run future editions of the Launchpad.

Date of next programme:

2 May – 27 July 2023

 
Application deadline: 11 April 2023
Location: Online

Join a supportive community of entrepreneurs and experts to get the support you need to launch, grow and scale your business.

Frequently asked questions

Hackathons are for anyone who has a business idea and wants to learn more about becoming an entrepreneur. You will begin to learn the entrepreneurial skills you need to bring your business idea to life.

Launchpads are for entrepreneurs who have a business idea, understand the problem they are trying to solve, and are ready to start their entrepreneurial journey. Over twelve sessions, you will learn the basics of entrepreneurial mindset, business strategy, finance, marketing and pitching that you need to get your business off the ground.

Incubators are for entrepreneurs who have been running their business for some time and are ready to start focusing on growth and expanding their team. Over nine workshops, you will learn the skills you need in business modelling, product/market fit, finance, legal, branding, wellbeing and pitching in order to make your side hustle your full-time job.

Accelerators are business and leadership programmes that have been designed for entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their business and impact. Over twelve workshops, you will evaluate your personal leadership strengths and the opportunities for your business to grow, and tap into the knowledge of the other entrepreneurs on the programme to plan your path to sustainable growth.

You can see all the programmes we’re currently offering on our programmes page: www.hatchenterprise.org/our-programmes

In each of our programmes you will get access to:

  • Expert-led workshops 
  • Facilitated group sessions with other entrepreneurs
  • 1-2-1 support 
  • Support developing and practicing your pitch 
  • Networking and events
  • Membership of Hatch’s community of founders

Until further notice we will continue to run all of our programmes online.

Thanks to our incredible funders, we are able to offer the programmes at a massively reduced rate. 

For New Founders programmes the fee is currently:

  • Hackathon £25
  • Launchpad £50
  • Incubator £150

If you would like to apply for a bursary sign-up to the programme using the application form above and if your application is successful you will be invited to an online interview, during this interview you can ask about applying for a bursary place.

No. Hatch’s programmes provide support to entrepreneurs, but we don’t take any equity or stake in your business.

Like most early-stage programmes, Hatch cannot sign an NDA, but we won’t share any confidential information from the application process or interviews.

Most of the Hatch team either have been or are entrepreneurs, so we understand how tricky it is to commit to recurring meetings when life is so busy. However, one of the most encouraging pieces of feedback we receive from entrepreneurs is that our programmes allow them to take a step back, to work on the business rather than in it. Therefore we ask that participants attend at least 75% of all workshops and events.

After you finish the programme, you will become part of the Hatch community. You can continue to interact with other entrepreneurs, join events, and share news and opportunities.

For the Hackathon, you are both welcome to book places separately and take part together. 

For the Launchpad, Incubator and Accelerator programmes, we ask that there is one primary founder who takes part in the programme and attends the workshops. Co-founders or business partners are welcome to attend some events and 121 support alongside the main founder.