We have two Launchpad programmes running simultaneously, and will be accepting up to 20 founders onto each cohort.

You can apply for this programme if you identify as Disabled or neurodivergent, are based in the UK, and want to launch your own business or have just launched your business and your annual turnover is around £1K.

You can find a step-by-step guide to our application process here.

All of the sessions take place online and are conducted through Zoom.

No, you will not need to prove to us in any way that you have a disability. During the application process, we will ask you to share any accessibility needs and may also ask you to share some clarifying details around your Disability/ neurodivergence. This is so that we can tailor the programme to best suit you and the group.

This programme is specifically designed for Disabled and neurodivergent founders. The content will be created based on the needs of the cohort and will include input from Disability advocates and business experts who reflect the diversity of the group. With this in mind, we will consider various factors such as learning styles and participation needs to ensure an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Much of the learning in our programmes is through peer-to-peer support and coaching. Each session will involve whole group discussions and smaller breakout room sessions (groups of 2 – 6 people), in which all participants are encouraged to participate. If requested, you will be sent the session materials beforehand, which will include group discussion points for you to prepare. We always aim to ensure these group sessions are safe spaces, where we hope you feel comfortable to participate and share. If you are hesitant about this for any reason please reach out to Niamh, our Founder Engagement and Marketing Manager, who is happy to discuss this with you in more detail. You can book a call with Niamh, or email her at programmes@hatchenterprise.org.

The programme is designed with flexibility in mind. Content is delivered through multiple formats (written, audio, visual), and participants can engage in ways that work best for them. You will also be asked for feedback after each session and the programme team will be working reactively to this feedback where possible.

Our accessibility supports include, but are not limited to:

• 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 may offer a 1:1 catch-up with the programme manager

We understand this list does not fully depict the access needs we can accommodate, and our Founder Engagement and Marketing Manager, Niamh, is here to assist you and answer your questions.

Some specialist accessibility supports—such as BSL interpretation, or Support Workers—may be beyond our current budget. If you have specific accessibility needs not listed above, please get in touch, and we’ll do our best to explore how we can support you.

Please email programmes@hatchenterprise.org or book a video or phone call with Niamh to discuss the programme and any support you require.

Yes, support workers and PAs are welcome to join our sessions. We cannot offer funding for support worker or PA hours for the duration of the programme.

Hatch acknowledges the Social Model of Disability, meaning we take the view that people are disabled by societal barriers, not by their impairment or difference.

We use the phrase ‘Disabled and neurodivergent’ to refer to individuals including but not limited to: those with physical, visual, hearing, hidden and invisible impairments, people with long-term health conditions, people with learning difficulties, people who are autistic, ADHDers, those with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and those with conditions such as Tourette’s syndrome, epilepsy or chronic mental health illnesses such as bipolar disorder or BPD (borderline personality disorder), as well as those multiply neurodivergent (with multiple neurodivergent conditions).

We have decided to use the phrase ‘Disabled and neurodivergent’ to make it clear to potential applicants with neurodivergence who may not identify as Disabled that this programme is also for them. However, we acknowledge, under the Equality Act 2010, that neurodivergent people are considered to have a disability. Our language is not intended to divide but to ensure clarity to those seeking our support. 

While we use the term neurodivergent, we understand some may feel more aligned with terms such as neurodiverse or neuro minority. Our aim is not to undermine personal preferences in terminology, and we acknowledge and respect individuals’ lived experiences. If you wish for us to use specific terminology when speaking with you, please let one of the team know, and we will gladly oblige.

Throughout the creation of this programme and the evaluation of our language choices, we’ve been working alongside inclusion consultancy Diversity & Ability. For more information on how we’ve been proactively making changes to our processes to better support Disabled and neurodivergent people, you can access the report here.