If you’re a tech entrepreneur, be it aspiring, scaling or late stage, we have a programme for you. See here...
Supporting climate tech founders
Empowering underrepresented tech founders
Growing late-stage ventures, to IPO and beyond
Powering the UK's most ambitious Series A startups
Championing disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability
Taking DeepTech founders from breakthrough to business
Our previous Rising Stars competition has evolved into four distinct UK early-stage competitions, designed to spotlight the best emerging startups.
Where 10 ambitious EIS-eligible founders pitch to win an opportunity for investment that defines their next chapter
Where SEIS-eligible founders from across the UK compete for their share of £2M investment opportunity at a Grand Final in Manchester
Where transatlantic founders aged under 26 compete for up to £500k in investment
Where exceptional founders from around the world pitch to win the backing, spotlight, and momentum that shapes what comes next
Your entry to Europe’s innovation powerhouse
Discover the steps to apply and begin your journey
Premium account management for companies launching in the UK
Commission a high-impact experience for your cohort of early-stage startups
Connecting the world’s brightest minds to UK AI opportunities
Connecting the world’s brightest minds to UK Quantum opportunities
The UK’s first springboard programme for disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability.
Welcome to Creo, the UK’s first springboard programme for disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability. Originally forged in partnership with Motability Operations and now led by the Motability Foundation, Creo exists to amplify and connect disabled and neurodivergent founders – giving them the knowledge, connections, and tools to scale their startups through expert-led workshops, peer-to-peer support, and coaching.
Built on openness and intimacy, Creo is where honest conversations happen about what it means to be a disabled or neurodiverse founder, and what it takes to succeed.
This year, Creo is expanding its lens to include mobility, autonomy, and transport – welcoming founders building technology that enables disabled and neurodivergent communities to access work, transport, and independence more fully. We’re also opening the programme to founders whose technology, while not exclusively designed for disabled and neurodivergent people, is proving transformative for these communities.
Join a lifelong community of Creo and Tech Nation alumni for skill-sharing, nuanced discussion, and support.
Develop mutually beneficial relationships with larger corporates and the disability, neurodiversity and tech founder ecosystem.
Be supported to understand, demystify and access venture capital and angel investors.
Gain access to vital knowledge and skills that will help you take your company to the next level.
Hear from industry experts and Tech Nation alumni who have lived experience of foundership.
Build deep and valuable connections and leverage peer-to-peer support within your cohort.
Don’t just take our word for it
Solomia Boretska “The Creo program was a great opportunity to work with advisors in the accessibility space as well as network with other founders. The program really strengthened our go-to-market strategy and helped me plan out the next steps for the business.” Solomia Boretska Co-Founder & CEO, Lendocare
“The Creo program was a great opportunity to work with advisors in the accessibility space as well as network with other founders. The program really strengthened our go-to-market strategy and helped me plan out the next steps for the business.”
Co-Founder & CEO, Lendocare
Gökhan Meriçliler “Creo is unlike anything else out there for founders building at the intersection of disability and technology. It brought Maggie Moore back into our journey as a mentor, opened doors to a unique network of partners and investors, and gave us a community where we never felt alone.” Gökhan Meriçliler Co-Founder & CEO, We Walk
“Creo is unlike anything else out there for founders building at the intersection of disability and technology. It brought Maggie Moore back into our journey as a mentor, opened doors to a unique network of partners and investors, and gave us a community where we never felt alone.”
Co-Founder & CEO, We Walk
Ryan Hoare “Creo was brilliant for gaining clarity on the next stage of growth and connecting with the right people. I’ve made a network and friends who I hope will stick with me for the rest of my life” Ryan Hoare Founder, TryMosaic
“Creo was brilliant for gaining clarity on the next stage of growth and connecting with the right people. I’ve made a network and friends who I hope will stick with me for the rest of my life”
Founder, TryMosaic
Lee Trainor “Being part of the very first Creo cohort was a hugely important milestone for us at TrainorJim. The programme gave us invaluable support, connections and confidence at a crucial stage of our journey, helping us grow our impact and continue developing inclusive products that support disabled people, older adults and those recovering from illness or injury. Since taking part, our equipment has also been featured in a white paper on Falls reduction published in February 2026, further highlighting the impact and potential of our work.” Lee Trainor Co-Founder, TrainorJim
“Being part of the very first Creo cohort was a hugely important milestone for us at TrainorJim. The programme gave us invaluable support, connections and confidence at a crucial stage of our journey, helping us grow our impact and continue developing inclusive products that support disabled people, older adults and those recovering from illness or injury. Since taking part, our equipment has also been featured in a white paper on Falls reduction published in February 2026, further highlighting the impact and potential of our work.”
Co-Founder, TrainorJim
Ishan Jha “Connecting with industry leaders was valuable and networking with some of the corporate heads.” Ishan Jha CEO, Travel Hands
“Connecting with industry leaders was valuable and networking with some of the corporate heads.”
CEO, Travel Hands
15th July
6th September
w/c 19th October
w/c 25th Jan 2027
The Creo Programme is for pre-seed to pre-series A tech startups based in the UK. The company must have at least one founder who self-identifies as disabled or neurodiverse, or the company must be innovating around disability or neurodiversity.
Creo companies will have:
Join us in championing this groundbreaking programme…
– Engage with the cohort through our many platforms including events, dinners and more.
– Showcase your commitment to diversity and inclusion by aligning your brand with Creo.
– Gain visibility among forward thinking leaders in tech creating cutting edge businesses and life changing solutions.
Support us in creating a future with no boundaries.
Creo is open to disabled, deaf and neurodiverse founders, as well as entrepreneurs who are innovating around disability and neurodiversity. Applicants must have a startup or business idea that is ready to scale.
According to the Equality Act 2010, disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to perform normal daily activities. Neurodiversity refers to variations in the human brain and cognition, including conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome, and complex tic disorders.
Participants can expect to receive industry expert-led workshops and content, peer-to-peer support, and personalised coaching sessions. The programme aims to foster openness and intimacy, facilitating honest conversations about the realities and challenges of being a disabled or neurodiverse founder.
The Creo programme lasts for 4 months. Detailed timelines and schedules will be provided upon acceptance into the programme.
No, it is free to take part in the Creo programme thanks to the generous support of our partners, HSBC Innovation Banking and Motability Operations.
Once applications are submitted, they will be reviewed by our panel of judges. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or further discussions to ensure the programme is a good fit for their needs and goals.
Yes, as long as you are a disabled or neurodiverse founder, you are welcome to apply. We also support entrepreneurs whose innovations are aimed at improving the lives of those with disabilities or neurodiverse conditions.
The Creo programme is designed to be fully accessible to all participants. The kick-off and closing events are held in person at venues that are fully accessible. The rest of the programme will be conducted virtually to ensure maximum flexibility and convenience for all participants.
Yes, the venues chosen for our in-person events are fully accessible. This includes wheelchair access, accessible restrooms, and other necessary accommodations to ensure everyone can participate comfortably.
Our virtual sessions are hosted on platforms that support various accessibility features, including closed captioning, screen reader compatibility, and the ability to adjust visual settings. We strive to ensure that all participants can engage fully in the sessions.
Absolutely. We encourage participants to inform us of any specific accommodations they require, whether for in-person events or virtual sessions. We are committed to making all aspects of the programme as inclusive and supportive as possible.
Yes, we provide support for participants who are deaf or hard of hearing, including options such as closed captioning during virtual sessions. Please let us know your specific needs when applying.
Yes, all programme materials are available in accessible formats. This includes digital documents compatible with screen readers, large print versions, and other formats upon request.
We encourage you to communicate your accessibility needs during the application process or as soon as they arise. Our team is dedicated to providing the necessary accommodations to support your full participation in the programme.
No, we do not require proof of disability or a diagnosis. We allow people to self-identify as disabled or neurodiverse. We recognise that disability means different things to different people and respect each individual’s experience and self-identification.
No. We accept both self-identified and officially diagnosed experiences of disability and neurodiversity. Many people face barriers to diagnosis, and we want to ensure the programme is inclusive of all who meet the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability. We do not prioritise formal diagnosis over self-identification in the application or selection process.
All applicants are assessed using the same criteria. Selection is based on your alignment with Creo’s mission, the strength of your application, and the potential for peer support and impact within the cohort. If you’re applying as someone who self-identifies, we trust applicants to approach this with honesty and integrity.
We’re committed to making Creo accessible to all eligible founders. If you need support completing the application form, please email creo@technation.io before the deadline and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
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.
Motability Operations deliver smart, sustainable solutions that improve our customers’ mobility in a fast-changing world.
Techspace is the flexible office provider where innovative and ambitious tech companies thrive.
https://www.techspace.co/
