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
Our previous Rising Stars competition has evolved into two distinct UK early-stage competitions, designed to spotlight the best emerging startups.
Where the UK's most ambitious founders win an opportunity for investment that defines their next chapter
Where early-stage UK startups compete for their share of £2M
Where immigrant founders building in the UK win the backing, spotlight, and momentum that defines their next chapter.
Work, Live, Thrive in the UK
Supporting global talent to work live and thrive in UK tech through our various support services
Discover the steps to apply and begin your journey
Gain access to a global talent alumni network to support your journey
Showcasing success stories from our Global Talent Visa Ambassadors
Connecting the world’s brightest minds to UK AI opportunities
Connecting the world’s brightest minds to UK Quantum opportunities
Where exceptional founders from around the world who’ve selected the UK as their business win the backing, spotlight, and momentum that defines their next chapter.
Route to Rise is Tech Nation’s new flagship competition celebrating immigrant founder excellence, culminating in a live London Tech Week finale and a chance to secure a minimum £100k angel investment from one of our star immigrant-founder investors, including Will Shu (Deliveroo), Demet Mutlu (Trendyol), Dmitry Bukhman (Playrix), Jack Zhang (Airwallex) and others.
While immigrants make up around 16% of the UK population, they are behind more than half (54%) of the country’s fastest-growing companies, building globally competitive businesses, attracting investment, and creating thousands of jobs across the UK.
Route to Rise is a bold intervention: a high-quality competition that elevates immigrant contribution and backs the next generation of exceptional founders building in Britain.
After an open application process, 25 standout companies will be shortlisted and announced publicly. Finalists will receive preparation support (including pitch practice and partner credits/perks), then culminate in a live London Tech Week finale where founders pitch on stage and the winner is celebrated.
Founders, here’s the journey in four steps:
Step 1: Apply Submit your application to Route to Rise.
Step 2: Evaluation An expert panel reviews applications and selects the 25 shortlisted finalists.
Step 3: Star Judge Selection Our star judges review the shortlist and select the founders they want to back.
Step 4: London Tech Week Finale Finalists demo their products live at London Tech Week
🌍 A flagship London Tech Week moment
Pitch at Europe’s premier technology festival and put your company in front of senior founders, investors, corporates, and policymakers shaping the future of UK tech.
💷 Real investment on the line
Our star judges make an individual £100k angel investment into the finalist they back (via an ASA with a 15% discount).
🎤 Reputation-defining visibility
A high-profile platform for immigrant-led companies, designed to celebrate founder stories publicly, with significant ecosystem attention around shortlist and finals.
🤝 Practical support to raise your trajectory
Shortlisted founders receive preparation support in the run-up (including pitch practice and partner credits/perks) to sharpen the story and accelerate momentum.
Company: UK-registered tech company
Stage: Series A or below, investment-ready and scaling
Sector: Sector-agnostic, with expected strength in AI, climate, fintech, healthtech, and deep tech
Focus: Merit-led: quality, impact, and potential to scale
Applications open: February 2026
Applications close: 31 March 2026
Shortlisted finalists announced: 25 April 2026
Pitch practice / prep: May 2026
Finalists notified: 25 May 2026
Route to Rise Final (live at London Tech Week): 10 June 2026
Route to Rise is backed by a panel of the UK’s most successful immigrant-founded tech leaders and operators, including:
Will Shu — Co-founder, Deliveroo
Demet Mutlu — Founder & CEO, Trendyol
Dmitry Bukhman — Co-founder, Playrix
Jack Zhang — Co-founder & CEO, Airwallex
These individuals help shape the judging, backing, and ethos of the competition.
We’re looking for clear evidence of a strong product, differentiation, early traction, a credible founding team, and the potential to scale. If you meet the criteria above, we encourage you to apply.
Star judges make an individual £100k angel investment via an Advance Subscription Agreement (ASA) (paid on signing; non-refundable; no interest). The ASA will convert into the same class of shares issued in the Company’s next qualifying priced equity round at a 15% discount to the price per share paid by new investors in that round (no cap).
If no qualifying priced equity round has occurred by the date falling 12 months after signing (the Backstop Date), the ASA will convert automatically on the Backstop Date into the highest class of shares then in issue at (i) the price per share in the Company’s most recent priced equity round (if any), or (ii) if there has been no prior priced equity round, at the price per share implied by a £1.4m pre-money valuation.
Finalists are expected to pitch live at London Tech Week as part of the final showcase.
Shortlisted founders will receive preparation support in the run-up (including pitch practice) and access to partner credits/perks designed to help you move faster.
Please contact the team at teambrent@ff.co for eligibility and application support.
