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
Equipping scaleups on the road to Series B
Pitch competition for early-stage startups
Championing disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability
Work, Live, Thrive in the UK
Supporting global talent to work live and thrive in UK tech through our various support services
Enabling the best global tech talent to work in the UK tech sector
Gain access to a global talent alumni network to support your journey
Spotlighting top talent from our Visa Programme
Celebrating 10 years of global talent in UK tech
This high-impact, three month programme caters to ambitious founders and their leadership teams at a critical juncture in the startup lifecycle, with a strong emphasis on preparing for a Series B investment in today’s challenging fundraising environment.
The programme consists of expert-led workshops, peer-to-peer support, and access to a vast network of successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders. By leveraging these resources, Upscale ensures a comprehensive support system for rapid expansion and sustainable growth.
Applications for our Upscale programme are now open!
Deep Dive
Participate in specialised workshops focusing on key areas like People, Operations, and Finance.
Prepare
Equip your company with the strategies and knowledge needed to secure Series B funding.
Access
Tap into the expertise of Upscale Coaches, Alumni, and the Founders Forum Group investor network.
Connect
Engage in peer-to-peer support with fellow founders to share insights, experiences, and advice.
Shine
Gain recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK, enhancing your market presence through opportunities for exposure.
Network
Build relationships with senior executives and industry leaders to expand your professional network.
Previous Upscale Alumni
The Upscale Programme is for the fastest growing companies in the UK, typically at Series A and looking to raise Series B.
Upscale companies will have:
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.
16th July
19th August
17th September
Mid December
Tessa Clarke – Olio Quite simply, it’s the best scaleup programme around. It’s an incredibly well thought-through format, and is an unparalleled learning & networking opportunity – not only for the founders, but also for the whole senior leadership team. I can’t recommend it highly enough! Tessa Clarke Olio
Quite simply, it’s the best scaleup programme around. It’s an incredibly well thought-through format, and is an unparalleled learning & networking opportunity – not only for the founders, but also for the whole senior leadership team. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Olio
Angie Ma – Faculty AI The Upscale programme has been a fantastic experience. I particularly appreciate the opportunity of sharing our challenges and hearing how others are working through similar challenges. We don’t often find places to do that! Angie Ma Faculty AI
The Upscale programme has been a fantastic experience. I particularly appreciate the opportunity of sharing our challenges and hearing how others are working through similar challenges. We don’t often find places to do that!
Faculty AI
Simon Hill – Wazoku One of the single best things I have done for myself, my team and the business. We all benefitted and will continue to do so well beyond the programme ends. Thanks to the Upscale and Tech Nation team for everything! Simon Hill Wazoku
One of the single best things I have done for myself, my team and the business. We all benefitted and will continue to do so well beyond the programme ends. Thanks to the Upscale and Tech Nation team for everything!
Wazoku
Asima Hafesji – Accountancy Cloud This is the number one programme for ambitious Tech founders. A safe and welcoming environment where you are encouraged to openly share and learn from peers and industry experts. It’s been amazing and we’re so grateful to have been part of it! Asima Hafesji Accountancy Cloud
This is the number one programme for ambitious Tech founders. A safe and welcoming environment where you are encouraged to openly share and learn from peers and industry experts. It’s been amazing and we’re so grateful to have been part of it!
Accountancy Cloud
Upscale is a 3-month growth programme, helping the UK’s fastest growing companies scale faster, together.
Based on values of honesty, intimacy and trust, this established, curated programme is designed to reflect companies’ scaling journey. Companies will explore fundamental growth challenges with peers and benefit from sessions delivered by expert scale coaches who have been through it all.
We offer over both direct founder support, as well as workshops for senior leaders on the themes of People, Operations, Funding and Finance.
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.
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.
Upscale looks to tackle some of the trickiest challenges faced by scaling companies and, as such, the programme content is designed to mirror your scaling journey.
In Upscale 9.0, our goal is to support the cohort in preparing to raise their Series B. With that in mind, the workshop schedule is structured around the themes of People, Operations, Funding & Finance. Each session will feature an expert scale coach sharing a detailed perspective along with tactical lessons for both founders and their C-Suite.
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 OR If you are bootstrapped and focussed on revenue growth, you will have: revenues of £1m + AND you will be growing at a rate of 20% month-on-month. AND All companies must be headquartered in the United Kingdom
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.
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.
Your company is ineligible if it has merged, been acquired or been through an IPO.
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.
Yes – if you were previously unsuccessful and meet the criteria, you are welcome to reapply!
All Tech Nation programmes are free to join, and we don’t take an equity stake in your business either.
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