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Breaking down barriers to entrepreneurship for Disabled and neurodivergent business leaders across the UK

At Hatch Enterprise, we’re committed to creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where Disabled and neurodivergent founders can thrive. Our targeted support programmes address the unique challenges faced by Disabled entrepreneurs, ensuring equal access to business opportunities and resources.

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Hatch has been a really supportive experience, I’d highly recommend it to anyone in the neurodivergent or Disabled community, it was so highly tailored to our experiences.

Headshot of Gwendoline Thornton

Gwendoline Thornton,
Founder of The.Workshop & Spoonful

Why Disabled and neurodivergent founders need support

Disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs bring invaluable perspectives and innovations to the business world, yet they face significant structural barriers that limit their potential. The UK entrepreneurial landscape remains deeply unequal, with Disabled founders encountering systemic challenges at every stage of their business journey.

The Critical Need for Support

The entrepreneurial journey is challenging for anyone, but Disabled and neurodivergent founders face additional systemic barriers that create an uneven playing field. These obstacles aren’t just about individual circumstances—they reflect deep-rooted structural inequalities that persist throughout the UK business landscape:

  • Employment Inequality: Disabled individuals face employment rates 30% lower than non-disabled people (ONS)
  • Entrepreneurship by Necessity: 33% of disabled entrepreneurs start businesses out of necessity rather than choice, often with limited preparation (Small Business Britain)
  • Financial Barriers: Disabled people face an average of £570 in additional monthly living costs, impacting their ability to invest in business growth (Lloyds Bank)
  • Investment Gap: 81% of disabled founders have experienced inaccessible systems when applying for funding (Small Business Britain)
  • Discrimination: Only 4% of neurodivergent founders say they’ve never experienced discrimination (The Entrepreneurs Network)
  • Role Model Gap: 70% of disabled entrepreneurs report lacking appropriate role models (Small Business Britain)

The Hidden Potential

Despite these challenges, Disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs demonstrate remarkable strengths:

  • Unique Problem-Solving: 67% of neurodivergent founders believe their neurodiversity makes them better business people (The Entrepreneurs Network)
  • Innovation Through Experience: Disabled founders often create solutions for underserved markets through lived experience (GOV.UK)
  • Economic Impact: Disabled-owned small businesses account for 8.6% of UK business turnover despite facing significant barriers (FSB)

The evidence is clear: Disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs are not just capable—they’re essential to a thriving, innovative business ecosystem. By addressing the systemic barriers they face and leveraging their unique strengths, we can create a more diverse, resilient, and successful entrepreneurial landscape. This isn’t just about fairness; it’s about unlocking untapped potential that benefits our entire economy. At Hatch Enterprise, we’re committed to bridging this gap and ensuring every talented founder has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of disability or neurodivergence.

42%

Only 42% of people in the UK believe that Disabled people have an equal chance of success running a business

4%

Only 4% of neurodivergent founders say they’ve never experienced discrimination

A woman with long dark hair is sat down smiling at the camera.

Through the Hatch course I have learned that my personal journey is a part of my brand, and isn’t something I need to shy away from. I had thought that talking about my illness would be a negative thing for the business. It’s really changed my perspective, I don’t hide away anymore, I had thought that talking about my illness would be a negative thing for the business. It’s really changed my perspective, I don’t hide away anymore,

Joanna Perera,
Founder of Adira Jewel

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Our tailored approach to supporting Disabled and neurodiverse founders

At Hatch Enterprise, we empower underrepresented entrepreneurs from across the UK to imagine, launch, and grow sustainable businesses.

Since 2014, we’ve developed a comprehensive enterprise support system designed to address the unique challenges entrepreneurs face, with particular attention to the barriers encountered by Disabled and neurodivergent founders.

As entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to business support. That’s why our programmes are truly bespoke – while we have a foundational curriculum, we begin each cohort by engaging directly with participants to understand their specific needs, challenges, and goals. We then adapt our content, pace, and focus to address the unique requirements of each group. This tailoring continues throughout the programme, ensuring that our support remains relevant and impactful for every entrepreneur we work with. It’s not just business support; it’s business support designed by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs – with the flexibility and understanding that comes from lived experience.

In October 2023, we launched our first programme specifically designed for Disabled entrepreneurs, the first of its kind in the UK. The inaugural cohort helped shape how we deliver accessible support moving forward. Read about what we learned from our first cohort of Disabled entrepreneurs.

The thing that the other entrepreneurs and I had in common is that we have to manage health conditions alongside running the operations of our businesses. Before attending the course, it was something that I was quite anxious about doing.

Moses Basi

Founder of St Clement Ltd and Launchpad graduate

Our Programmes

Our programmes are designed by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, using a methodology that’s been refined through years of experience supporting underrepresented founders. This approach enables Disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs to overcome barriers and build sustainable businesses.

We offer a range of programmes tailored to different stages of the entrepreneurial journey:

Launchpad:

For those with a business idea looking to start their entrepreneurial journey

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Incubator:

For founders with established businesses looking to grow sustainably

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Accelerator:

For established businesses ready to scale their impact and operations

Expert-Led Learning

Our sessions are delivered by industry experts with relevant experience, providing practical knowledge that can be immediately applied to your business

Peer Support

Small cohorts of like-minded entrepreneurs create supportive communities where founders can share experiences, challenges, and solutions with others who understand their journey.

Personalised Guidance

From one-to-one support to tailored feedback on business plans, we ensure every founder receives the specific guidance they need to succeed.

Practical Tools

Our focus is on actionable strategies and tools that can be implemented straightaway, creating real progress throughout the programme.

Learn more about our methodology

Accessibility Features

Our programmes incorporate carefully designed accessibility features that address the specific barriers many Disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs face:

  • Flexible Session Structure: We include regular breaks and adjustable pacing, recognizing that everyone’s day looks different and health can fluctuate
  • A Space That Works For You: Join online with your camera on or off – we understand that sometimes screens can be too much, and that’s completely fine
  • Learn At Your Own Pace: We’ll send you materials before sessions so you can review them when it suits you best, whether that’s the night before or first thing in the morning
  • Clear Roadmaps: We provide straightforward session outlines and next steps, because keeping track of multiple tasks can be challenging for many of us
  • Bring Your Support Person: Support workers are always welcome in our sessions, and we offer different ways to communicate if speaking up isn’t always easy
  • Simplified First Steps: Applying shouldn’t be a hurdle – we offer application help and alternative formats, just let us know what works for you
  • Personal Guidance: Our team members are there for one-to-one chats when you need them, bringing understanding of diverse experiences to every conversation

We continuously improve these features based on what our participants tell us works best for them – because accessible support means listening to the people who know their needs best.

Our comprehensive approach delivers meaningful results:

148%

increase in their ability to access needed funding

108%

increase in their ability to communicate the impact of their business

89%

improvement in measuring their business finances

Setting out to start my own print business, it can seem overwhelming to navigate the world of business as a Disabled founder, but Hatch made this so much easier and palatable. It allowed me to think about my company in a way I hadn’t before.

Charlie Ketchen

Founder of Prints of Nature and Launchpad graduate

Investment in Your Success

We’re committed to removing financial barriers to entrepreneurship:

  • Accessible Pricing: We offer a range of programmes with various pricing structures, including fully-funded opportunities and programmes with nominal fees. For programmes that do have fees, we offer bursaries that can cover up to 100% of the cost for eligible participants
  • Grant Opportunities: Many of our programmes include the chance for graduates to apply for competitive grants to invest in their business growth
  • Value for Money: All our programmes deliver exceptional value (typically valued at £1,500+) through expert-led sessions, personalised support, and ongoing community access
  • Sustainable Support: Continued access to our community and resources after programme completion

Join Our Inclusive Entrepreneurship Community

For Disabled and Neurodivergent Founders

We’re here to support your entrepreneurial journey with understanding, resources, and connections. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your business, our programmes are designed to work with your unique needs and strengths.
Explore our programmes

For Partners and Funders

Support the next generation of Disabled business leaders. Your partnership helps us break down barriers and create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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