Upscale

Accelerating the growth of the UK’s most promising companies by equipping them with the knowledge, connections, and tools needed to scale successfully.

This high-impact, three month programme caters to ambitious founders and their leadership teams at a critical juncture, post Series A.

Whether you’re scaling rapidly after a recent raise, or about to start planning your Series B raise – typically the most difficult round –  this programme is for you. 

The free programme consists of expert-led workshops for you and your c-suite team, peer-to-peer support, and access to a vast network of successful entrepreneurs, corporates, policy makers and investors across the Tech Nation and Founders Forum ecosystems through 1-2-1 connections and curated events.

Focusing on the themes of People, Strategic growth, and Funding and Finance with a manageable time commitment spread across your c-suite team, Upscale ensures a comprehensive support system for rapid expansion and sustainable growth.

Previous Upscale Alumni

Who can apply

The Upscale Programme is for the fastest growing companies in the UK, typically at Series A.

 

Upscale companies will have:

  • Raised a £5m+ Series A funding round OR £1.5-£5m revenue
  • HQ in the UK
  • Founder commitment to actively participate in the programme

Interested in partnering with Upscale?

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.

Our Mentors

Emilie Vanpoperinghe

Co-Founder & CEO, Oddbox

Ziv Reichert

Partner, LocalGlobe

Rikke Rosenlund

Founder & CEO, BorrowMyDoggy

Sultan Murad Saidov

Co-founder and President, Beamery

Joel Perlman

Co-Founder & Senior Managing Director, OakNorth

Upscale FAQs

What is Upscale?

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, Strategic Growth, Funding and Finance.

When does the programme take place?

Applications will close 9th September, and the programme will begin mid-September. The programme will then take place across 3-months, to finish up mid-December.

Where is the programme held?

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.

What content does the programme cover?

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 the challenges of rapid scaling post series A, and those who may be preparing to raise their Series B – notoriously the most difficult round to raise.

With that in mind, the workshop schedule is structured around the themes of People, Strategic Growth (including US expansion), Funding & Finance. The programme will also include a founder/CEO dinner, roundtable with policy makers and an investor reception.The participants will also have 121 targeted support for introductions and mentorship.

We know how busy founders are, so involvement will be spread across your csuite team to ensure the programme is manageable and to support the building of peer connections.

What criteria do I need to hit to be eligible?

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

What do you mean by ‘digital tech’?

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.

Can a company apply from any sector?

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.

We’ve had an M&A or been through an IPO. Are we still eligible?

Your company is ineligible if it has merged, been acquired or been through an IPO.

Do I have to be based in the UK?

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.

Can I apply this year if I was unsuccessful last time?

Yes – if you were previously unsuccessful and meet the criteria, you are welcome to reapply!

Do you take equity?

All Tech Nation programmes are free to join, and we don’t take an equity stake in your business either.

Founding Partner

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.

Lead Partner

Silicon Valley-headquartered Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has represented more tech companies on their venture financings, M&A transactions, and IPOs than any other law firm globally.  Wilson’s London-based, integrated US/UK team supports high-growth UK companies through their US life cycle – US launch and scaling, US fundraising, US partnerships, and US M&A/IPO exit – and facilitates access to the firm’s global network of capital providers, corporates, and advisors.

Partner

OakNorth are a digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. They provide bespoke credit and banking services to businesses with £1m-£100m turnover across the UK and US.