Digital Catapult’s Black Founders Programme returns for the third year in partnership with Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK, and in collaboration with Channel 4. 

The Black Founders Programme is a 14-week accelerator targeted at up to 15 high-growth potential pre-seed or seed stage companies creating innovative products and services in the creative industries.

The participating companies’ leadership team will work with Digital Catapult, industry experts, Sony Music and Channel 4 to assess and fast track their business in order to become “investment-ready” whilst expanding their network of peers, investors and customers.  Across the 14-week programme, companies will participate in roughly 20+ hours of support, including:

  • Health scans with your company to determine current technological, commercial, investment and strategic needs
  • Masterclasses & workshops to develop and improve business planning, commercial strategy, pricing and positioning, operational processes and investment readiness
  • Networking events and tailored introductions to industry leaders, relevant investors and potential customers

The programme is delivered in partnership with Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK, and in collaboration with Channel 4.  Multiple interaction opportunities will be available to support business growth and facilitate connections where possible.

A range of sessions and events are provided to support participants in scaling their commercial, operational and technical activity. Alumni will also have access to further Digital Catapult funding opportunities. To offset any costs to a business by participating within the programme, each startup will receive a stipend of £3,000.

The majority of the programme will be delivered remotely via online calls and sessions. We expect to organise a small number of in-person events at Digital Catapult, Sony Music UK or Channel 4 offices over the 14-week period, including a programme kick-off, networking and final event. Digital Catapult will provide as much notice as possible.

Digital Catapult supports companies using advanced digital technologies including:

  • Future networks and advanced digital infrastructure (internet of things including low powered wide area networks, NB-
  • IoT, LIFI etc. and includes sensors, edge devices, wearables etc.)
  • Immersive technologies – extended reality (virtual, augmented, mixed reality and haptics)
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning (natural language processing, machine vision, deep learning)
  • Distributed ledger technologies (blockchain etc.)
  • Quantum

Creative Industries in scope:

  • Advertising and marketing
  • Animation
  • Architecture
  • Arts and culture
  • Crafts
  • Design
  • Fashion
  • Film, TV and video
  • Games
  • Publishing
  • Music and radio
  • Visual art and photography

Find out more and apply. Deadline Sunday 5 October at 11:59pm.