Do you have the ambition to turn your business idea into a reality? We’ve teamed up with Pizza Hut to create this new programme where you’ll get to join a community of like minded entrepreneurs, have access to skills training, and learn from industry experts to help you accelerate your success.

The partnership aims to support hundreds of budding entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds right across the UK, providing new founders with the business skills to help them grow sustainable businesses that have a positive, lasting impact on their communities. Thanks to our partnership with Pizza Hut, we’re offering these programmes at a low cost.

Hatch really helped us clarify our process and our vision, discussing our idea with our peers helped us refine develop our confidence in talking about it too.

Erica Rutherford

Erica Rutherford

Axtionery

Girl Talking

Launchpad

The New Founder Launchpad is for entrepreneurs who have a business idea, understand the problem they are trying to solve, and are ready to start their entrepreneurial journey.

This selective six-week programme is for fifteen early-stage entrepreneurs who want to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to get their businesses up and running. You’ll be part of a close-knit cohort of entrepreneurs, learn from experts, and at the end you’ll get the chance to pitch your business live to a panel of friendly Dragons.

The Launchpad takes place online via Zoom
Programmes starting in May 2023
£50

Group discussion

Incubator

The New Founder Incubator is for entrepreneurs who have started a business and want to take the next step to grow it sustainably. It’s suitable for you if you have already started making money, or have customers or clients, and have at least one part-time member of staff.

This selective ten-week programme is for fifteen entrepreneurs who want to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to turn their side hustle into a full-time job. You’ll be part of a close-knit cohort of entrepreneurs, learn from experts, and at the end you’ll get the chance to pitch your business live to a panel of friendly Dragons.

The Incubator takes place online via Zoom
Start dates TBA
£150

Girl Talking

Hackathon

Join one of our hands-on Hackathons for some dedicated time to focus on a specific aspect of your business.

Our interactive Hackathons are for entrepreneurs at any stage who want to dedicate some time to think about their challenges and opportunities from a new perspective, and get more clarity on their business. You’ll join a small group of like-minded entrepreneurs and share your ideas and solutions in a safe and encouraging space.

The Hackathon takes place online via Zoom
Events starting in January 2023
£10

Frequently asked questions

Hackathons are for anyone who has a business idea and wants to learn more about becoming an entrepreneur. Over two days, you will learn about 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 six workshops, 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

Hatch programmes are for entrepreneurs based in the UK. Every programme we run has different application criteria that allows us to best tailor our support.

This New Founders programme aims to level the playing field in entrepreneurship, so we welcome and prioritise applications from underrepresented groups including Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority founders, women and other marginalised genders, disabled founders, and LGBTQIA+ founders. Some cohorts are reserved for entrepreneurs who meet specific criteria, which you can see on each application form.

The New Founders Launchpad is suitable for you if you:

  • Have a business idea and want to launch your own business
  • Want to increase your business knowledge, skills and confidence
  • Want to be part of a cohort of other entrepreneurs
  • Are based in the UK

The New Founders Incubator is suitable for you if you:

  • Are based in the UK
  • Have a minimum viable product, have started trading or have a business background
  • Want to increase your business knowledge, skills and confidence
  • Want to be part of a cohort of other entrepreneurs
  • Are based in the UK

The New Founders Hackathon is suitable for you if you: 

  • You have identified a social or environmental problem you would like to tackle 
  • Are based in the UK

You can express your interest in one of our programmes using the application form. Try to answer the questions in as  much detail as possible, as we don’t ask applicants to submit a business plan or model. The programme manager will then be in touch to let you know if you are invited to an interview as the next stage. In the interview, we will ask questions about yourself and your business to see if you are a good fit for the programme. After the interview, we’ll let you know if you have been selected to take part in the programme.

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.

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.

About Hatch

Since 2014, Hatch has helped more than 700 businesses and 5,000 founders from across the UK to flourish. Their pioneering approach uses a mix of events, peer learning, hands-on seminars and 1-2-1 support to give people from diverse and under-represented backgrounds a chance to make their mark and help create a fairer society through entrepreneurship.

About Pizza Hut’s An Equal Slice for Everyone

Pizza Hut believes everyone deserves a place at the table and a shot at opportunity. ‘An equal slice’ is a guiding principle for our business and the spark for initiatives like The New Founder Programme that make the world a fairer place for our people, our customers and our communities.

Registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1161801)

© 2021 – 2022 Hatch Enterprise