The UK’s first programme dedicated to disabled entrepreneurs has launched.
Creo is a joint initiative from Tech Nation and Motability Operations for founders with disabilities and those innovating for the disabled and neurodiverse.
The programme aims to amplify and connect these entrepreneurs, providing them with the knowledge, connections, and tools to scale their startups.
One in four founders in the UK are disabled or neurodiverse; however they are 400 times less likely to receive VC funding, according to The Lilac Review.
70% of disabled founders said they lack role models, and 84% feel they do not have equal access to the same opportunities and resources as non-disabled founders.
In addition, reducing barriers for disabled founders could unlock an additional £230 billion in annual business turnover in the UK.
In this year’s Creo cohort, almost three-quarters of the founding team identify as disabled or neurodiverse, with many of the companies providing products or services for those that are disabled or neurodiverse.
They will all receive tailored support to directly springboard them to scale and grow via a programme of workshops, peer-to-peer support, and mentoring sessions over a four month period. Beyond the initial programme, participating founders become part of a lifelong, close-knit community, with access to an online knowledge centre.
Current cohorts and alumni can access the Creo network and tap into the skills, experience and expertise they need to continue their journey, creating a startup community that’s uniquely placed to understand and support disabled and neurodiverse founders.
Creo participants will also gain access to the global Founders Forum Group community, with access to its top-tier network of unicorn founders, CEOs, investors and government leaders – connections that can help catapult their scaling journeys at a key juncture.
The Creo Programme is aimed at pre-seed to Series A tech startups based in the UK. All participating startups must have at least one founder who self-identifies as disabled or neurodiverse, or are innovating around disability or neurodiversity.
Carolyn Dawson, CEO of Founders Forum Group, said: “Creo will help unlock the potential of disabled and neurodiverse founders across the UK through its tailored programme of support and mentoring. Together with our partner Motability Operations we can reduce barriers for some of our most ambitious founders and startups.”
Andrew Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Motability Operations said: “The launch of the Creo programme is a major milestone in our partnership with Tech Nation to break down barriers for disabled and neurodiverse founders in the UK.
“By bringing together this community of innovators and supporting their growth, we can increase the representation of disabled people in the startup community and put accessibility at the heart of innovation”.
The Creo 2024 cohort
Able2Book
A one-stop shop for finding and booking venue tickets for disabled people and their carers based on their needs and the disability evidence they hold
Demetria
An AI enhanced radiologist tool for better flagging of endometriosis at the ultrasound stage of the diagnostic pathway
Dismantle Initiative
An award-winning company that helps businesses who wish to identify and dismantle barriers in the workplace that affect disabled people
Diverse Made Media
A disabled-led, London-based TV & Film Production house that works across digital and broadcast, providing content for brands, agencies and broadcasters
Forzuna
The world’s first micromobility vehicle that’s safe to use in busy pedestrian areas
LendoCare
Building the Enterprise Rent-a-Car for Accessibility Equipment
Love Disfigure
Love Disfigure Talent Agency supports people with disabilities, difference & disfigurement find work as models, actors and speakers
PoiLabs
Provides an indoor location platform that enhances accessibility for visually impaired and blind individuals by delivering high indoor location accuracy and compatibility across multiple platforms
Send it to Alex
An award-winning B Corp virtual employment support service created by neurodivergent people – specifically sisters Alex and Lillie Jamieson (pictured, main image) – for neurodivergent people
Sensei
Low-tech, easy-to-install, and universally designed tactile surfaces that empower visually impaired individuals to navigate indoor spaces independently
The Food Detectives Club
An online platform to improve food education for children by teaching them the principles of cooking through science
Tracq
An AI-powered platform that transforms workplace inclusivity and performance management by addressing unconscious bias and providing tailored support for diverse employees
Trainor Jim
Designing and manufacturing the Shuffler, an affordable and user-friendly seated exercise device aimed at enhancing mobility and physical activity for ageing and sedentary individuals.
We WALK
By leveraging cutting edge tech and AI, WeWALK creates revolutionary mobility tools for visually impaired people, driven by lived experiences
XRAI
By leveraging the power of augmented reality, our innovative app transforms speech into real-time subtitles, displayed directly on smart glasses