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!
Have a business idea but feel unsure about what to do next?
Starting a business can feel overwhelming. You may be unsure whether your idea will work, how to explain it to other people or which practical steps to take first. Get Ready to Start OnDemand is a flexible business-support programme for early-stage founders who want to develop their idea and build stronger foundations for their business.
You will work through six short learning modules in your own time, supported by a practical workbook and scheduled live touchpoints with Hatch and other founders. The programme will help you explore key areas including your business idea, customers, finances, business structure, planning and pitching.
This is a FREE pilot programme. As a participant, you will also be invited to share feedback about the content, format and accessibility so that Hatch can improve future versions of the programme.
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 want to explore or develop further
You are based in the UK
Work through six practical business modules at times that suit you. Each module is made up of four short lessons of around 15 minutes each — about an hour per module in total.
Use the programme workbook to reflect on what you have learned, apply it to your idea and begin creating practical plans for your business.
Take part in a live programme launch and two further live touchpoints, giving you opportunities to connect, ask questions and apply your learning.
Access the programme content, workbook resources, announcements and community activity through Hatch’s Circle platform.
“We have been on a few different programmes and by FAR, Hatch Enterprise has been the best. From invaluable mentorship to tailored programs for diverse founders, they’ve been the guiding light for over 7,800 UK entrepreneurs. We cannot recommend Hatch Enterprise enough!”
Albert Larter
Founder of Wakuda. Accelerator Graduate
Explore the problem your business is addressing, the solution you want to offer and how to communicate your idea clearly.
Consider who your customers are, why they may choose your business and how you can begin building trust and awareness.
Develop your understanding of costs, pricing, cash flow and the different types of funding available to early-stage businesses.
Explore common business structures and introductory information about tax, intellectual property and employing people.
Bring your learning together in a concise plan that explains your idea, customers, activities and next steps.
Develop confidence in explaining your business and learn how to adapt your pitch for different audiences and situations.
Three live online sessions to help you connect with the Hatch team and your fellow founders throughout the programme.
Live touchpoint one – Thursday, 17th September 2026, 6:00pm–7:00pm
Live touchpoint two – Thursday, 1 October 2026, 6:00pm–7:00pm.
Live touchpoint three – Thursday, 15 October 2026, 6:00pm–7:00pm.
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.
This pilot programme is available 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 OnDemand programme is an e-learning course designed to support founders at the ideation stage. It is made up of 6 e-learning modules as well as three live online touchpoints to engage with the rest of the founders on the programme.
The content is designed to be completed in a self-led fashion at the participants’ own pace; however, there is still a cohort of founders taking the course at the same time.
The Get Ready to Start OnDemand programme is designed for individuals who are curious 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, check out our programmes page for alternative opportunities: https://hatchenterprise.org/our-programmes/
Our goal is to make our programmes as accessible and inclusive as possible. We recognise that everyone has different access needs, so during the application process we will ask you to let us know about any reasonable adjustments or accessibility support you may require to take part in the programme. We will always consider requests on an individual basis and will do our best to identify appropriate ways to support your participation.
If you would like support to complete your application (for example, help with transcribing your answers) or would like to discuss your accessibility needs before applying, please email us at programmes@hatchenterprise.org.
You can also read more about the accessibility support we offer here: https://hatchenterprise.org/accessibility-guidance/
Get Ready to Start OnDemand is designed for individuals who are still exploring whether entrepreneurship is right for them. It helps you refine your business idea(s), learn the basics of starting a business, and reach a point where you can decide whether you want to continue your journey towards launching your venture.
Unlike our other programmes, Get Ready to Start OnDemand is primarily a pre-recorded, self-led programme. Most of the content can be completed at a time and pace that works for you, alongside a few live online touchpoints that allow you to connect with other aspiring founders and access additional support. This means you can take part in the programme without needing to attend multiple live sessions at set times.
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.
No, Get Ready to Start OnDemand is a free programme.
The programme runs across four weeks, with scheduled live, online touchpoints and self-led content taking place between September and October.
No, there are no grants available alongside this programme. However, once a graduate of Get Ready to Start OnDemand, you’d be able to apply for our further programmes (Launchpad, Incubator, Deep Dive), which can come attached with the ability to apply for a competitive grant pot.
Check out a module-by-module 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 is a fully online programme. All programme content will be delivered via our on-demand e-learning platform. In addition to this, we will have three live online sessions to accompany the course content.
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.
Yes. The programme includes opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring and support through the live group touchpoints, where you can connect with and learn from other founders taking part in the programme. There may also be opportunities to engage with some of our corporate partners.
Please note that this programme does not include additional one-to-one mentoring or dedicated business mentoring focused on your individual business idea.
We accept 40-45 participants per cohort.
After completing the Get Ready to Start OnDemand programme, you’ll have access to our Alumni platform, Circle, for continued peer support. You will have access to our full Hatch Alumni events calendar, such as masterclasses, peer-led mentoring, panel discussions, pitch competitions and more.
The only 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 10-20 minutes to complete.
After the application window closes, we’ll email you to let you know if you have secured a place on the programme.