Foundervine

Izzy Obeng brings valuable insight into inclusive innovation, startup acceleration, and building opportunities for underrepresented founders across global ecosystems. As Founder and CEO of @foundervine - recognised by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s leading startup accelerators for underrepresented founders - her work continues to shape conversations around entrepreneurship, investment, and ecosystem growth across the UK, US, and Africa. Through her roles with Mission 44 (a charity founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton), Ada Ventures, and Zeal Capital Partners, @izzy.obeng brings perspectives that help founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders better understand how innovation and inclusion can drive long-term impact and growth. Hear from her this June at Tech in Ghana London as part of London Tech Week at @addleshawgoddard ‘s new city location. Grab your tickets now via the link in our bio!

Are you ready to strengthen your foundations, scale your impact, and grow your business with the support of experienced industry leaders? 🚀 We’re excited to introduce the mentors leading Southwark Impact Growth Studio. Each brings deep experience, strategic insight, and practical expertise to support founders as they build stronger, scalable, and investment-ready businesses. Through masterclasses and 1:1 mentoring, they will help you navigate challenges, sharpen decision-making, strengthen leadership, and grow with clarity and confidence. Meet the Mentors ✨ Renée Davis – Founder, Out The Box Award-winning journalist and cultural strategist building platforms and communities that support Black creatives and professionals through storytelling, media, and social impact. ✨ Julian Scott-Reid – Managing Director, Capital Business Mentors Chartered Accountant, angel investor, and board advisor with experience across property, finance, and tech, supporting founders with commercial strategy and growth decisions. ✨ Julie Sane-Pezet – Founder, Lume Impact Social impact leader with global experience across Europe and Asia, helping organisations turn ideas into measurable outcomes through research, strategy, and human-centred design. ✨ Jen Jeng – Founder & Innovation Partner, Coordination Studio Innovation specialist with 20+ years of experience helping leaders turn AI and complexity into practical, human-centred growth strategies that drive results. ✨ Shanice Tomlinson – Facilitator & Programme Designer Experienced programme designer and facilitator working with organisations like Google, eBay, Glossier, and BCG, supporting founders from idea to scale through structured, actionable growth. Only 30 spaces are available. Applications close 18 June 2026, 23:59. Click on the link in bio to apply now! @southwarkcouncil #SouthwarkImpactGrowthStudio #Foundervine #StartupGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Mentorship #Founders #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #ScaleUp #InvestmentReadiness

🚀 We are Hiring: Community Associate Are you someone who enjoys creating welcoming environments and bringing people together? Foundervine Spaces is looking for a Community Associate to help shape the experience of our new coworking space. If you thrive in fast-paced environments and take pride in creating high-quality experiences, this role is for you and purpose-driven professionals. In this dynamic, front-facing role, you will support the day-to-day running of the coworking space, from delivering exceptional member experiences to managing tours, events, and space operations. You’ll be at the heart of the community, building relationships with members, supporting founders and creatives, and ensuring the space remains a place for connection, collaboration, and growth. 🌍 Click the link in bio to apply now! #NowHiring #CommunityAssociate #CoworkingLife #StartupJobs #PeopleAndCulture #FoundervineSpaces #HiringOpportunity

Ready to move past the idea stage and gain real traction? We are excited to introduce The Foundry by Foundervine, delivered in partnership with Molten Ventures and the Esprit Foundation!🎉 This high-impact 12-week accelerator is developed for UK-based founders with a developed MVP looking to become investment-ready and scale successfully. You'll collaborate with experienced operators and investors to refine your product and build a business that lasts. We'll help you gather meaningful user insights, teaching you to focus on what drives true engagement and position your startup for long-term growth. What to expect 🚀 Product and traction deep-dives to gather meaningful user insights and focus on engagement 🚀 Dedicated investment readiness training to prepare you for confident investor conversations 🚀 Quick-fire coaching and office hours with a wider ecosystem of partners and operators 🚀 Collaborative Founder Growth Circles to build alongside a curated cohort of 15 founders 🚀 Ongoing post-programme support with continued access to community resources and mentorship If you're ready to refine your product and accelerate your growth, this is your moment. 15 spaces available | Deadline: 23 June 2026 🔗Click the link in our bio to apply now! Please note, while Molten Ventures is a strategic partner, participation in this programme does not imply or guarantee investment from them or access to their investment team. #thefoundry #blackfounders #StartupGrowth #FounderSupport #Entrepreneurship #ScaleYourBusiness #founders #startupcommunity #innovation

Wray Forward Pitch and Rum Punch is back… and it’s bigger, bolder, and louder than ever. 🍹🔥 The stage is set and the Rum Punch is chilled. Wray Forward Pitch & Rum Punch Night returns, bringing together standout founders, powerful pitches, and a room full of opportunity. This is your chance to step into the spotlight, share your vision, and connect with investors, industry leaders, and a thriving entrepreneurial community. Six founders will be selected to pitch live for a share of a £5,000 grant funding pot - plus the chance to win the Social Media Star Award, where you'll be the star of our socials and amplify your reach! 🤩 Why should you join? 🍹 Own the stage – Put your business in front of decision-makers 🍹 Access funding – Win a share of £5,000 to grow your venture 🍹 Build visibility – Gain exposure through event storytelling 🍹 Strengthen your strategy – Receive valuable insights 🍹 Expand your network – Connect with founders & investors A night built for bold ideas, real opportunities, and unforgettable energy. 📅 08 July 2026 📍 Campari, 14-16 Great Portland St, London W1W 8QW ⏰ 18:00 – 21:30 Ready to take the stage or be in the room where it happens? 👉 Click the link in bio to apply to pitch or register to attend now! @wrayandnephewuk #WrayForward #PitchAndRumPunch #Founders #Entrepreneurs #StartupLife #PitchNight #FundingOpportunity #LondonEvents #BuildInPublic #FounderCommunity

📢 Save Up to 90% on HubSpot – Built for Startups Ready to Scale! Growing your startup doesn’t have to be overwhelming. HubSpot is a leading customer platform that helps startups build, manage, and scale their marketing, sales, and customer relationships with ease. From CRM and automation tools to sales enablement, customer service solutions, and integrations, HubSpot provides everything you need to grow smarter and faster at every stage. ✨ Exclusive Offer • Up to 90% off HubSpot software (Year 1) • 50% off in Year 2 • 25% off in Year 3 Click the link in bio to check eligibility criteria and redeem the offer! #Foundervine #HubSpot #StartupSupport #FounderResources #StartupGrowth

Built the impact? Now build a model that sustains it 🚀 The Southwark Impact Growth Studio is designed for Southwark-based, mission-driven social enterprises, CICs and trading charities that are ready to move beyond grant reliance and build stronger, more sustainable growth models. If your organisation is already generating revenue, this programme gives you the space and support to strengthen your foundations, refine your business model, and scale with intention, without losing sight of your impact. What to expect 🔥 Structured modules on investment strategy, partnerships and digital transformation 🔥 Specialist workshops to apply learning directly to your organisation 🔥 Expert mentoring and coaching to sharpen your growth strategy 🔥 AI-powered tools and support to build investor readiness 🔥 An investor showcase to present your progress to potential funders 🔥 Access to a milestone-based growth grant pot of £10,000–£25,000 If you’re ready to build a more resilient, investment ready organisation, this is for you. Click the link in bio to apply now! Only 30 spaces available | Deadline: 18 June 2026, 23:59 ⏳ @southwarkcouncil #SouthwarkImpactGrowthStudio #SocialEnterprise #CIC #TradingCharity #impactfounders

You’ve been generating revenue, signing customers, and proving your model, now it’s time to scale it properly💥 The Scale Circle will support you in navigating this next phase with structure, accountability, and the right people around you. This is built for founders who are already performing and now need the environment, insight, and peer support to grow with intention.🚀 Across the programme, our expert facilitators will work with you to tackle real business challenges, helping you refine your strategy, strengthen your systems, and scale sustainably, while learning alongside peers facing the same growth complexities. Meet the Facilitators: ✨Advita Patel, CEO & Founder, @commsrebel Award-winning expert in internal communications and employee experience, helping organisations build inclusive, high-performing cultures. ✨Hakeem Hunte @_haks , Co-Founder, Winpact Ltd Builds accountability systems that help founders execute consistently and scale with confidence. ✨Helen Bazuaye, Founder, Creative Grace Creative and DE&I specialist helping brands build impactful work, strong communities, and meaningful engagement. ✨Nabeel Siddiqui, Founder, @modulus_tech Climate tech entrepreneur and policy advisor building scalable net-zero housing solutions, with global recognition and experience advising governments and institutions on energy transition. ✨Lee Stennett, Co-founder, Winpact Ltd. Over 10 years’ experience as a software developer across corporate and startup environments. ✨Mariam Abdillahi Kidson, Founder, @black.flamingobeauty Award-winning communications specialist with 20+ years’ experience driving growth for global brands, now building an inclusive skincare brand. ✨Rishi Chowdhury (EIR) , Founder & CEO, Incube Space Serial founder supporting startups with strategy, go-to-market, and investment readiness. ✨Charlotte Windebank, CEO and Co-Founder of FIRST, An award-winning entrepreneur who leads an agency providing accredited business skill training to underrepresented communities. 48 spaces available | Deadline: 04 May 2026 Click the link in bio to apply! @natwest #ScaleCircle #ScalingUp #FounderJourney #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship

Backing Black Founders. Driving Culture Forward. 💚↗️ Wray Forward returns for 2026, and this year, it’s bigger! Now in its fifth year, Wray Forward continues to champion Black-owned businesses, evolving into a culturally led platform where founders are not just building businesses, but shaping culture at the intersection of entrepreneurship, music, lifestyle, and community. Designed to unlock real opportunities, Wray Forward connects founders to funding, visibility, and the networks that move businesses forward, while amplifying stories that deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. This year, we’re bringing together key moments built for impact: 💚 Wray Forward Pitch & Rum Punch – Step onto the stage, pitch your business, and compete for funding in a high-energy night of culture, connection, and opportunity. 💚 Wray Forward Conference – Our flagship event bringing together founders, investors, buyers, media, and the wider community for a powerful day of connection, storytelling, and growth. 💚 Wray Forward Powerbook – A curated showcase spotlighting high-potential Black-owned businesses, connecting them to partners, investors, and new audiences. This is where visibility meets opportunity. Where community meets culture. Where ambition is backed. Join the Wray Forward ecosystem and be part of a platform that’s not just supporting founders, but shaping what’s next. 💚 (you can receive updates by clicking the link in our bio) — Wray Forward is a free, inclusive and accessible programme by Wray & Nephew, delivered in collaboration with Foundervine, championing the forward movement of Black-owned businesses across the UK. @wrayandnephewuk #wrayforward #blackbusinesses #foundervine

This is where bold founders step into the room, and the people who know how to spot real potential take notice. 🚀✨ We’re excited to introduce the expert judges who will be joining us for the Immerse Catalyst Accelerator Showcase Day, where founders from this year’s cohort will take the stage after an 8-week accelerator journey designed to help them strengthen their businesses, refine their growth strategies, and prepare for scale. With a £21k grant funding pot on the line, these judges will hear directly from founders ready for their next stage of growth. Meet the Judges ✨ Kirsty Sadler | Regional Director, London & East England, @lloydsbankingroup A senior banking leader supporting thousands of SMEs across the UK. Kirsty brings deep experience in business growth, leadership and helping organisations scale sustainably. ✨ Angie Madara | Founder, @athenafundx A technology entrepreneur and ecosystem builder with global experience in FinTech and EdTech. Angie has helped scale impactful digital platforms and is passionate about supporting underrepresented founders through access to funding, tools and visibility. ✨ Chris Kanwei | Managing Partner, RealCorp Capital A venture investor and finance executive with 15+ investments across Africa, the diaspora and global markets. Chris brings deep expertise in deal structuring, venture funding and supporting founders from seed to scale. ✨ Dayo Akinrinade | Founder & GM, Noom Vibe An award-winning technologist and founder with experience building and scaling global tech products. Dayo is focused on inclusive innovation, ecosystem building and supporting founders through growth and fundraising journeys. We can’t wait for you to join us, connect with bold founders, and witness what real scale looks like. 📅 15 May 2026 | ⏲️13:00 to 17:00 | 📍 25 Gresham St, London EC2V 7HN, UK Click on the link in bio to register! @lloydsbankbusiness #ImmerseCatalyst #Foundervine #ShowcaseDay #Judges #Accelerator #ScaleUp #Founders

In this blog, Reem Goussous explores a powerful shift happening across startup ecosystems: the rise of diaspora founders as key drivers of global innovation. These founders aren’t just building companies; they’re building across borders, cultures, and markets, often with a unique advantage that many underestimate. This shows up in a few key ways: ✨ Global by Design: Diaspora founders naturally think beyond one geography, building with scale in mind from day one rather than expanding later. ✨ The Access Gap: Talent and ambition are not the problem. Access to capital, networks, and trusted relationships remains the biggest barrier to growth. ✨ Network-Driven Growth: In markets like the U.S., success is deeply tied to relationships. The right introductions can accelerate trust, unlock opportunities, and shape fundraising outcomes. ✨ Go-To-Market Complexity: Entering new markets requires more than a strong product. Distribution, positioning, and speed of execution are critical, and often underestimated. The reality is that building globally isn’t just about ambition. It’s about access, connectivity, and having the right infrastructure to support growth across markets. This is where platforms like Viaka are stepping in, creating intentional networks that connect founders to the capital, partners, and opportunities they need to scale. If you’re building across borders or thinking about expanding into the U.S., this is a perspective worth understanding. Click the link in bio to read the full blog. #Foundervine #GlobalStartups #DiasporaFounders #Entrepreneurship #StartupGrowth #Innovation

The wait is over, Foundervine Spaces is officially open for bookings! 🚀 We’re excited to announce that we are opening our doors to founders, builders, and innovators ready to grow in the right environment. This is something we’ve built with every founder in mind, a space designed to support your journey, expand your network, and unlock real opportunities. Foundervine Spaces is built to bring founders out of isolation and into a thriving, connected ecosystem. - @cecmonic , COO, Foundervine. When you join Foundervine Spaces, you aren’t just getting a desk, you’re getting a seat at the center of an integrated ecosystem. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place for deep work or a vibrant community to help carry the weight of entrepreneurship, we’ve built this for you.💚 Experience the new home for founders firsthand. Click the link in our bio to explore the options and book a space now! #FoundervineSpaces #CanadaWater #FounderLife #IntegratedEcosystem #BuildingTogether #UKStartups #Founding25