Barclays Eagle Labs Launches Virtual Tech Accelerator for Black Entrepreneurs

The accelerator, in partnership with Foundervine, includes a series of masterclasses focused on a number of core business skills, such as product development, sales strategy, operations and leadership.

Barclays Eagle Labs has unveiled its second 12-week virtual accelerator programme, designed to help early-stage tech businesses founded by one or more Black entrepreneurs.

The accelerator, in partnership with Foundervine, a London-based social enterprise specialising in digital start-ups, includes a series of masterclasses focused on a number of core business skills, including product development, sales strategy, operations and leadership.

Izzy Obeng, Managing Director of Foundervine, says: “The Barclays Black Founder Accelerator is designed to elevate founders and remove barriers. We do this by connecting them to the mentorship, resources and training they need to move their venture to the next level. Whether that’s raising their first round of funding or making their first sale, the Foundervine network is here to make that happen.”

Applications are open until 8 October to UK-based digital and tech startups or scaleups with a minimum viable proposition for their business and with one or more Black founders.

Over 200 businesses applied to take part in last year’s Accelerator, of which 25 successful businesses were selected. This year the cohort will increase in size, with 40 businesses to be selected to participate in the programme.

All applicants to the Black Founders Accelerator programme, whether they are successful at securing a space on the Accelerator or not, will receive ongoing support from Barclays Eagle Labs, through events, wider programmes, learning materials, mentoring and by building peer networks.

For those 40 businesses selected to participate in the programme, the Accelerator will commence on 22 November and will last 12 weeks, culminating in a Demo Day in February 2022, at which a number of founders will have the opportunity to present their business to potential clients and investors.

Barclays Eagle Labs mentions ScribePay, which was part of the 2020 Black Founder Accelerator. This is a fintech focused on the subscription payments market, and building an app and virtual payment card offering for consumers.

Delphine Emenyonu, Co-Founder of ScribePay, notes: “The fact that it was dedicated to Black founders appealed to me – it’s very challenging to be a founder but there is additional challenges being a person of colour, so I felt it would meet both my business needs and my cultural needs as well.”

The Black Founders Accelerator programme can be found here.

The Startup Scene

By the way, last week at eWeek UK four tech startups were discovered and reported on.

London-based mibanc is a digital banking alternative offering preparing to unveil its fintech solution for SMEs this year. The startup is not live yet, but is welcoming businesses to pre-register for an account ahead of its Q4 2021 launch.

Cyber Heals entered the country’s competitive cybersecurity industry with aspirations to be the cure and correct solution for companies. The firm has two offices – one in London and the other in Chennai, India – and sees itself as a Cybersecurity as a Service. Its London address is actually a registered office address service.

Lothbury Exchange is getting ready to unveil its investment platform to match professional investors with emerging new companies. The London-based entity’s website has a waiting list at present, but the intentions are relatively clear. Lothbury Exchange says it will help young businesses raise funding, and provide investors access to equity in companies.

Finally, digital payments company Transferra is also preparing to launch. The fintech startup is currently undergoing authorisation by the FCA. Transferra plans to provide payments solutions to individual customers and businesses. Users will be able to send, receive and exchange money; and they can pay bills and get instant account statements.

Last month, eWeek UK looked at ‘10 Tech Startups to Watch in 2021‘. The startups are at different stages of their business lives but all their ambitions are to be applauded. They’re a healthy mix of fintech, payments, neobanks, digital credentials, automation, data analytics and cloud-based solutions for law firms.

Antony Peyton
Antony Peyton
Antony Peyton is the Editor of eWeek UK. He has 18 years' journalism and writing experience. His career has taken him to China, Japan and the UK - covering tech, fintech and business. Follow on Twitter @TonyFintech.
Get the Free Newsletter
Subscribe to Techrepublic UK for weekly updates from Techrepublic and eWEEK on the latest in UK top tech news, trends & analysis
This email address is invalid.
Get the Free Newsletter
Subscribe to Techrepublic UK for weekly updates from Techrepublic and eWEEK on the latest in UK top tech news, trends & analysis
This email address is invalid.

Popular Articles