Contact

Upscale

Powering the UK’s most ambitious Series A startups

Apply Now Partner with Upscale

Upscale is back for 2025 as Tech Nation’s high-impact, three-month programme built for ambitious founders and leadership teams navigating the critical post-Series A phase.

Whether you’ve just closed your A and are accelerating fast, or gearing up for the all-important (and often toughest) Series B raise, Upscale is for you.

This fully-funded programme supports the UK’s most promising scaleups, equipping you and your C-suite to overcome the core challenges of growth — from building teams to securing funding.

Through expert-led sessions and tailored 1:1 investor matchmaking, you’ll gain the insight and capital connections needed to scale with confidence. All while joining a nationally recognised cohort and unlocking lifetime access to a powerful network of founders, VCs and policymakers.

Apply Now

Previous Upscale Alumni

What are we looking for?

The Upscale Programme is for the fastest growing companies in the UK, typically at Series A.

 

We typically look for companies that fall into the following criteria:

  • Have raised a £3m+ Series A funding round OR have generated £1.5-5m in revenue
  • Are HQ’d in the UK
  • A digital/tech-enabled business with product or service

FAQs

When does the programme take place?

Applications will close mid-August, and the programme will begin mid-September. The programme will then take place across 3-months, to finish up mid-December.

Do I need to be actively raising Series B to join the Upscale programme?

Not at all. While Upscale is designed to help Series A startups prepare for their next stage of growth, you don’t need to be actively raising your Series B to take part. If you’ve just closed your Series A, you’ll still benefit from the programme — around half of the sessions focus on broader scaling themes like international expansion, leadership, and operations, which are valuable regardless of your fundraising timeline.

Where is the programme held?

Upscale will feature a mix of in-person and online workshops. The in-person sessions will be held in London, usually in the afternoon to accommodate for those travelling from outside of London. In addition to workshops, there will be a series of accompanying events such as the launch event, founder dinners and investor drinks, all held in London.

What content does the programme cover?

Upscale prepares your team to scale and raise your Series B (and beyond).

You’ll dive into themes across People, Operations, Funding, and Finance through events with special guests and experts. From board management to building a world-class leadership team, expect actionable insights designed for both founders and senior execs.

Plus, you’ll get:

  • 1:1 investor matchmaking with growth-stage VCs
  • National recognition as one of the UK’s top scaling companies
  • Ongoing access to the Founders Forum global network
What criteria do I need to hit to be eligible?

You have to be a UK-based tech startup

If you are a VC funded business you will have: raised Series A VC funding (£3M+ for regional companies and £5M+ for London companies)

OR

If you have previously received Angel/VC funding, but are now focussed on revenue growth you will have: revenues of £1.5m – £5m

What do you mean by ‘digital tech’?

Upscale does not provide support for consultancies. All eligible companies will (a) provide a digital technical service/product (including hardware and platforms) or (b) provide a product/service that is reliant on digital technology, as their primary revenue source.

Can a company apply from any sector?

Yes! Upscale is a sector agnostic programme. That means we support digital companies from every and any sector (in the past sectors have included; fintech, e-commerce, proptech, spacetech, agtech, edtech, health & biotech, saas and more…). We support B2B, B2C and B2B2C companies.

We’ve had an M&A or been through an IPO. Are we still eligible?

Your company is ineligible if it has merged, been acquired or been through an IPO.

Do I have to be based in the UK?

Yes. All companies must be headquartered in the United Kingdom. We encourage businesses from across the whole of the UK to apply. If more than 40% of your workforce are based outside of the UK, we would not recommend making an application, as attendance in-person from founders and your senior leaders is extremely important.

Can I apply this year if I was unsuccessful last time?

Yes – if you were previously unsuccessful and meet the criteria, you are welcome to reapply!

Do you take equity?

All Tech Nation programmes are free to join, and we don’t take an equity stake in your business either.

Meet Last Year’s Cohort
Apply Now

Interested in partnering with Upscale?

Join us in championing this gamechanging programme…

– Engage with the cohort through our many platforms including events, dinners and more.

– Showcase your commitment to fuelling the UK’s top scaleups by your brand with Upscale.

– Gain visibility among forward thinking leaders in tech creating cutting edge businesses and life changing solutions.

BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY

Founding Partner

HSBC Innovation Banking provides commercial banking services, expertise and insights to the technology, life science and healthcare, private equity and venture capital industries. HSBC Innovation Banking UK is a subsidiary of HSBC Group, benefiting from its stability, strong credit rating and international reach to help fuel its growth.

Headline Partner

Silicon Valley-headquartered Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has represented more tech companies on their venture financings, M&A transactions, and IPOs than any other law firm globally.  Wilson’s London-based, integrated US/UK team supports high-growth UK companies through their US life cycle – US launch and scaling, US fundraising, US partnerships, and US M&A/IPO exit – and facilitates access to the firm’s global network of capital providers, corporates, and advisors.