If you’re a tech entrepreneur, be it aspiring, scaling or late stage, we have a programme for you. See here...
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The UK’s first springboard programme for disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability.
Creo, forged in partnership with Motability Operations, exists to amplify and connect disabled and neurodiverse Founders, and entrepreneurs innovating around disability, and to provide them with the knowledge, connections and tools to scale their startups.
Creo is a first-of-its-kind springboard programme for founders, based on openness and intimacy. It is where honest conversations happen about what it means to be a disabled or neurodiverse founder, or a founder innovating around disability, and what it takes to succeed. It consists of industry expert-led workshops and content, peer-to-peer support, and coaching sessions.
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.
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:
Founder, People & Robots, Former CEO/Co-founder, Accomable (sold to Airbnb)
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Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Specialist, Social Entrepreneur and Broadcaster, @Shanidhanda
CEO, Motability Operations
Founder & Managing Director, Open Inclusion
Srin is the Former CEO / Co-founder of Accomable, which was acquired by Airbnb in 2017. He then founded People & Robots, a venture studio and consultancy for AI. He’s also an active angel investor and startup mentor at several accelerators and incubators.
Srin’s background is geneticist turned corporate lawyer at a leading international law firm. He has an MBA and taught himself to code to build prototype web apps (and was the lead developer at his startup Accomable for the first 12 months).
Recognised as the UK’s most influential disabled person and the BBC’s 100 Women Laureate of 2020, Dr Shani Dhanda sparks transformative change as a consultant, collaborating with businesses and brands to authentically embrace inclusion and accessibility. Her expertise in disability inclusion has had a profound global impact, collectively reaching over 1.5 million employees worldwide.
Navigating the world as a South Asian woman experiencing disability, her intersectional activism serves as a catalyst for challenging social inequality worldwide through entrepreneurial ventures, founding initiatives like Diversability, the Asian Woman Festival and the Asian Disability Network.
Beyond her TV presence, eight executive and five ambassadorial roles, Shani’s impact extends to over 250 conferences worldwide, sharing stages with luminaries such as Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. Her work as a changemaker has earned her over twenty-five honours and awards.
As CEO of Motability Operations, Andrew Miller oversees the UK’s single largest car fleet. With a proven track record in business transformation through technology, Andrew’s priorities include driving the transformation of Mobility Operations’ electric fleet in line with 2030 targets.
Christine is a disability and age-inclusive inclusive researcher, designer, and innovator. She founded and leads Open Inclusion, which is based in the UK, operating globally. Open is a global leader in disability and age-informed market, social, design and innovation research with specific expertise in emerging technologies.
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.
Motability Operations deliver smart, sustainable solutions that improve our customers’ mobility in a fast-changing world.
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.
