Future Fifty

A powerful network of the UK’s leading late-stage tech companies

What is Future Fifty?

Future Fifty is a leading programme that enables the UK’s most successful late-stage tech companies to come together, build a powerful and supportive network, and problem-solve with peers.

With the help of the tech community, the programme supports these companies in achieving their global ambitions, creating jobs and opportunities across the UK, and inspiring the next generation in our tech ecosystem. It’s free to join, and we don't take an equity stake in your business either.

From fintech to online shopping, telematics to edtech, the Future Fifty offer a glimpse into the UK’s digital future. But even the best late-stage companies can benefit from learning from their counterparts. In fact, in just five years of Future Fifty, our programme has helped 127 of them. Take a look at our exceptional alumni.

Take a look at our alumni >

How does the programme work?

Future Fifty is a prestigious programme designed exclusively for leading late-stage UK tech companies, and we select approximately 25 businesses to join each year.

We welcome applications from all sectors, but to apply for the programme, your company must be headquartered in the UK, have raised Series B+ funding or £5m in revenue, or achieved 50% year-on-year growth over the past two years.

Please note that the latest round of applications closed on 7 December 2018, but applications will open again in 2019.

What does Future Fifty involve?

Companies selected to join the Future Fifty programme will receive:

Recognition as one of the UK’s most successful digital businesses: You’ll be joining leading tech companies such as Skyscanner, FundingCircle and FarFetch, who have all benefited from the programme. Since taking part in Future Fifty, our alumni companies have raised approximately $6.8bn from VC and capital markets, and achieved 9 IPOs and 29 M&As.

Intimate, quarterly roundtables for your c-suite: Designed specifically for different functions across the c-suite – including CEO, CMO, CFO, CTO, CPO, COO and HRD – you’ll have the chance to share experiences, problem-solve with peers, and learn from highly successful alumni who have scaled their companies up to 300+ employees and £250m+ in revenue.

Highly-curated optional workshops led by global experts: From masterclasses with ASOS and Dropbox, to sessions on exiting or listing, and how to scale globally at venues including Cass Business School and the London Stock Exchange, these sessions are designed to further boost your knowledge and help take your business to the next level.

Access to government through sessions with key officials: Exclusive roundtables with ministers will give you the opportunity to feedback into government policy and convey the UK tech sector’s opinions, requirements and challenges.

Our current cohort

Future Fifty Advisors

Meet the experts, advisors and coaches that contribute to our programme

Nick Beighton, CEO, Asos
Nezahat Gultekin, Head of Technology Investment Banking, EMEA, Nomura International
Paul Harrison, CFO, JustEat
Stan Laurent, Partner, Highland Europe
Sonali De Rycker, General Partner, Accel
Suranga Chandratillake, General Partner, Balderton Capital
Hazel Moore, Chair, FirstCapital
Robin Klein, General Partner, Local Globe
Dale Murray CBE, Senior Advisor/NED
Ben Johnson, Partner, Vitruvian Partners
Jonathan Goodwin, Founders Forum & Lepe Partners
Gloria Baeuerlein, Principal, Index Ventures
Charles Baden-Fuller, Professor of Strategy, Cass Business School
Andrew Kanter, Partner, Invoke Capital
Lorna Tilbian, Executive Director, Numis Securities
Gregor Pryor, Partner, Reed Smith
Linda Main, Partner, KPMG
Rob McCombie, Director, CBPE Capital
Alex McCracken, MD, SVB
Antony Clavel, Investor, Summit Partners
MB Christie, COO, Tech Nation
James Clark, Head of Tech & Life Sciences, Primary Markets, London Stock Exchange
Shirin Dehghan, Chair, OpenSignal

What we've achieved so far

$6.8bnraised

9IPOs

29M&As

Our partners

Future Fifty is supported by partners who share their expertise and experience, helping advise companies on key late-stage business issues, from M&A, IPO and fundraising to expanding operations internationally.

With 327 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in more than 50 countries, moving, lending, investing and protecting money for customers and clients worldwide.

A leading London-based law firm with a long history of acting for entrepreneurs and fast-growth businesses, Macfarlanes offers in-depth technical expertise across all aspects of technology-related work.