A new London-based accelerator, Antidote, has launched with £2.5 million in funding from Fulgur Ventures, Initial Capital and a network of private angel investors.

The initiative is aiming to help rebuild the UK’s position as a global leader in open financial and FinTech innovation. 

The accelerator will support founders building solutions in payments infrastructure, digital identity, data sovereignty and Bitcoin technologies, providing funding, mentorship, workspace and policy access to turn ideas into scalable businesses.

Led by Ben Cousens, Antidote’s mission is to create a credible bridge between entrepreneurs and institutions, helping innovators leverage emerging technologies to deliver real-world impact. 

The launch comes amid concerns over declining early-stage investment and UK startups moving abroad.