Foundervine & Lloyds Funding Opportunity

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Empowering Disabled Entrepreneurs to Thrive Without Barriers

Foundervine, a leading social enterprise championing inclusive entrepreneurship, has joined forces with Lloyds to launch Breakthrough, an eight-week growth accelerator designed exclusively for disabled and neurodivergent founders.

The programme is a powerful step towards dismantling systemic barriers that have historically excluded talented individuals with disabilities from equal access to business growth opportunities. Whether participants are launching innovative start-ups or expanding established ventures, Breakthrough equips them with the tools, mentorship, and funding needed to scale sustainably, on their own terms.

About the Breakthrough Programme

Breakthrough is more than just an accelerator; it’s a movement towards equity, empowerment, and inclusion. Over eight transformative weeks, participants gain hands-on guidance from industry leaders, personalised mentorship, and the chance to connect with a vibrant network of peers who share lived experiences of disability and entrepreneurship.

Through a blend of masterclasses, one-to-one mentoring, and peer learning, the programme helps founders strengthen their business strategies, refine their operations, and prepare to pitch confidently to investors. The journey culminates in an inspiring Showcase Day, where participants compete for their share of £21,000 in grant funding, designed to fuel growth and innovation.

Breaking Barriers for Disabled Founders

Starting or scaling a business as a disabled entrepreneur often comes with unique challenges, from limited access to funding and support networks to societal biases and inaccessible systems. Foundervine and Lloyds are determined to change that.

The Breakthrough accelerator ensures that accessibility and inclusion are prioritised at every stage. Participants can request tailored adjustments or additional support, ensuring that every founder, regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health differences, has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Programme Benefits

• Expert Guidance: Receive mentorship from professionals and founders with lived experience, who understand the realities and strengths of disabled entrepreneurship.
• Community Support: Join a powerful network of peers who collaborate, share best practices, and grow together without limits.
• Funding & Investment Access: Learn how to secure investment, scale your business sustainably, and compete for a share of £21,000 in grant funding.
• Exposure & Opportunity: Pitch your business to investors, gain visibility, and connect with stakeholders who value innovation driven by inclusivity.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for Breakthrough, participants should:

• Be running a UK-registered business that has been trading for at least 18 months.
• Demonstrate proof of traction or revenue generation.
• Have achieved a turnover or raised investment of at least £70,000.
• Identify as disabled or neurodivergent, including physical, sensory, mental health, cognitive, or learning differences (self-identification is sufficient).

A Step Towards Financial Empowerment

For many disabled founders, the biggest hurdle isn’t innovation, it’s financial access. Traditional lending systems often overlook entrepreneurs who may require adaptive work environments, flexible operations, or assistive technology. By providing direct funding opportunities, investor engagement, and expert guidance, Breakthrough bridges this gap, giving every founder the chance to thrive without compromise.

As part of Lloyds’ ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, this partnership with Foundervine reflects a shared vision: to build a fairer, more accessible entrepreneurial ecosystem where everyone has the resources and confidence to succeed.

To learn more or apply, visit: www.foundervine.com