Some ideas
simply can’t wait
We back enterprising students around the world with top-class mentorship, community, key resources, and up to £100,000 checks.
We designed a unique VC model to serve student-founders. Wonder why?
Student-entrepreneurs see the world through a unique lens. They are the most exposed to cutting-edge technology, innovations, and societal change. That’s why game-changing companies are consistently emerging from universities: Snapchat, Facebook, and Figma to list a few.
Some people will argue you need 3 years of experience to start a company. They are wrong. With enough hard work and perseverance, you can start building a startup that will have an impact, today.
If 25% of US-based unicorns are started at university, why couldn’t this be the same in the UK & EU? That’s why we exist, to select, support, and invest in high-potential founders particularly from the UK & EU.
10-100k
investment
Our esteemed board of investors are keen to deploy funds into student and recent grad startups, recognising that modest investments can yield significant impacts.
4-8
We host yearly accelerators and programmes. There’s no magic recipe but there’s some things you should know. We help you build your team, quickly test your ideas and create your company on solid ground.
weeks of acceleration
80+
At Initiator, we've partnered with top experts, entrepreneurs, and investors to build a community that supports your ventures. By joining us, our network can become yours.
startups supported
Memberships, Accelerators, Investment!
Whether you have no idea yet, or completed your first funding round, we can help you.
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Apply
We believe community and network is just as/ if not more important than investment. We’ve therefore built an exclusive worldwide community of young, aspiring leaders alongside the possibility of investment. Our members routinely meet on campuses and in partnered venues, while also discussing personal matters online via the initiator forum with members, initiator mentors and investors.
Members get priority consideration and readiness support for all programmes, and an exceptional support network. -
Every year we host our flagship accelerator which is typically a funded programme (from £10k-100k cheques).
We have just announced an AI accelerator! Deadline 05/03/2025
Apply here
Check our programmes section for our track record (Spoiler Its pretty good!) -
We introduce you to our board of investors which include partners at the best funds, family offices, and angels who invest from pre-seed to series A. We then organise huge demo days for our startups. Initiator is also working on fund II to invest directly into student ventures
Meet our startups
Read about startups we back
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Nestwork is a Careers Social Network that connects students with people who can help them secure their dream careers. During their time at Initiator, they secured Samsung as a customer and built their MVP.
”Predicting many success stories for Olam in the future! Idea is brilliant and the execution this year... outstanding! Glad to be a part of the 22' cohort”
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Womco is first nutrition app taking female hormonal cycles into account. Initiator connected the founders and helped them in building their idea.
”We all wanted to start a company but didn’t want to do it alone. By putting us together Initiator gave us a great foundation to start”
Initiator has funded 10+ student startups and accelerated many more. Go check what Thryve, Uplyft, Sumtive AI and many others are building with us!
You are in good hands
Initiator VC was started by student-entrepreneurs in the UK and helped by leading VC investors as well as achieved entrepreneurs. Together our goal is to back the next-generation of entrepreneurs, equip them with the skills they need, and provide them with key resources.
