London's leading accelerators and incubators: a guide for founders

With London home to approximately 477 accelerators and incubators¹, there are lots of opportunities to receive both financial and business support. As a global financial capital with easy access to mainland Europe and a thriving startup ecosystem, it’s no wonder that London is a hub for startups. Some of the top London startup programmes offer mentorship, office space, access to industry networks, financial backing, and in-depth workshops, with the aim of giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to successfully launch and scale their businesses.

In this guide exploring the best accelerators and incubators in London for founders, we’ll look at the difference between accelerators and incubators; highlight some of the top London startup programmes; and how to choose the right option for your business.

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Understanding accelerators and incubators

Before we deep dive into the best accelerators and incubators, it’s important to understand the differences between them. While they are somewhat similar, there are clear distinctions which need to be understood.

Incubators

We’ll talk about incubators first as they’re designed for early-stage businesses who are still testing and workshopping their ideas. Incubators are generally best for founders still deciding on their business model, testing prototypes or trying to make their idea a reality. The best UK incubators for founders should include the following features²:

• Co-working spaces: "A physical incubator gives you the opportunity to work alongside other founders and learn from each other.
• Networking opportunities: You have the opportunity to grow your contacts through the incubator and share ideas with other entrepreneurs.
• Potential investment: Most incubators will also make seed funding available and give you access to potential investors.
• Workshops. Practical teaching and mentorship which allows you to learn from more experienced business owners.
• Reduced rates.: Some incubators may offer you preferential rates with other professional services required for a successful business, such as accountants and lawyers.

Accelerators

While accelerators also exist to support early-stage businesses, their purpose is to take existing startups and help them scale quickly by embarking on a fixed-term programme. Accelerator programmes tend to offer³:

• Seed funding: This is an initial investment in exchange for equity which gives you the capital to spend money on marketing, product development, and potentially hire staff.
• A fixed-term programme: Accelerator programmes are normally for a fixed period of time and tend to be more intense than incubators. You’ll quickly cover aspects like refining your product, establishing market research, and getting investment ready. Think of it as a short-term sprint that will help your business run a long-term marathon.
• Networking opportunities: Like incubators, part of the benefit of accelerators is being around likeminded people. You’ll be able to make connections with investors, other founders, and potential customers which might provide the spark needed to grow your business further.
• Demo days: This event brings the programme to an end and allows you to showcase the progress you’ve made, pitch to potential investors, increase your visibility, and further build your contacts.

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Overview of the best accelerators and incubators in London for founders

1. Entrepreneurs First

Founded in: 2011
Type: accelerator
Stage: very early-stage/pre-team

Key stats:

• Companies built through EF are now worth over $13 billion (USD)⁴
• EF have offices in London, Paris, Bangalore, New York, and San Francisco
• World leading investors including Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz, Softbank, and Khosla Ventures⁴

Programme features⁵:

• Equity-free grants to support you while you mull your ideas
• Help you to find a co-founder
• Up to $250,000 investment once you form a company
• Up to $3 million in follow-on funding through future rounds
• Over $600,000 in credits to help you grow your business faster
• Office space for nine months in central London, Paris, Bangalore and San Francisco

How to apply: the EF programme takes place seasonally and always happens in-person and on a full time basis. You can see their latest programmes and apply on their website.

Best for: entrepreneurs in early stages who want to build a company in the US

2. Founders Factory

Founded in: 2015
Type: accelerator
Stage: early-stage founders

Key stats⁶:

• Over 400 companies have been through the accelerator programme
• $4 billion follow-on funding raised
• Dedicated team of 60+ operators

Programme features⁷:

• Ability to raise capital including pitching during the investor day
• One-to-one support from experts in strategy, product and data science, fundraising, marketing and operations
• Access to corporate partnerships
• Being part of the wider community including exclusive events and access to investors

How to apply: you can view their different options and apply online

Best for: early-stage businesses who want to focus on building corporate partnerships and require operational support

3. Bethnal Green Ventures

Founded in: 2013
Type: accelerator
Stage: early-stage tech founders

Key stats⁸:

• 197 ventures invested in so far
• Over 21 million lives positively impacted
• 9 successful exits from portfolio by the end of 2024

Programme features⁹:

• £60,000 investment in exchange for 7% of equity
• A six-week intensive programme
• Programme features on product, impact, business models, growth, team, and fundraising
• Expert workshops and clinics
• Network building and peer learning
• Coaching from the BGV team
• In-person talks and social events
• Follow-on investor mentoring

How to apply: the programme opens twice a year and invests in 10 to 15 companies each time. You can find out when their applications next open or apply on their website.

Best for: innovative founders who want to have a positive impact on society

4. London Business School Incubator

Founded in: 2010
Type: incubator
Stage: early-stage

Key stats¹⁰:

• Over 160 businesses have gone through the incubator programme
• £200 million raised
• Over 1500 jobs created

Programme features¹¹:

• Regular group meetups
• Personalised guidance from industry experts
• Office hours to help you address specific challenges
• Workshops
• Bursaries
• Media coverage
• Access to wider services like legal, financial or marketing advice

How to apply: you can apply by completing the application form on their website

Best for: founders who have graduated from the London Business School and want to continue to receive support and advice

5. Seedcamp

Founded in: 2007
Type: accelerator
Stage: early-stage tech startups

Key stats¹³:

• Over 550 companies in their portfolio
• Portfolio worth over $100 billion
• Nine companies worth over $1 billion

Programme features¹⁴:

• Expansive network of contacts
• Expertise on hiring, marketing, product, finance, and legal
• US team to help with US expansion
• Founder events
• Investment between $350,000 and $1,000,000

How to apply: apply online and then pitch to the company

Best for: founders who are looking for their first investor

6. Hatch Enterprises

Founded in: 2014
Type: incubator and accelerator
Stage: very early-stage to early stage - anywhere from an idea to a turnover of over £40,000¹⁵

Key stats¹⁶:

• Supported over 9000 UK founders to date
• 81% of founders identify as female
• 61% of founders from an ethnic minority

Programme features¹⁷ ¹⁸:

• Expert-led sessions on mission development, forecasting, product/market fit, branding, sales, marketing, funding, and pitching
• Cohort based learning
• One to one support from experienced mentors
• Funding opportunities available
• Demo days which provide actionable feedback

How to apply: apply online with successful candidates being interviewed

Best for: founders from underrepresented backgrounds who want to stand out and grow

How to choose the right programme

Know your stage

To get the best support for your startup, it’s important to know what you need. The big difference between incubators and accelerators comes down to how established your startup is. If you’re still developing your idea, an incubator can give you space and expertise to refine your idea. If you’re looking to scale, accelerators can help you raise funds and expand your reach.

Consider industry specialisation

Many of the top London startup programmes have a specific industry focus such as technology, health, finance, creative industries or sustainability. It’s worth taking time to research if there’s a dedicated incubator or accelerator for your industry as they’ll be able to give you industry specific advice. In addition, their contacts and wider network will help you grow your business in your specific field or specialty.

Understand the deal

Seed funding can help you acquire capital quicker and invest in your startup’s growth. But before you sign any paperwork, it’s important that you understand exactly what the deal entails. Accelerators often offer investment in exchange for a stake in your company, so you need to consider what this means for the future of your business. On the other hand, incubators may not ask for equity, but may instead charge fees or rent in return for the assistance they're providing. Make sure you know what you will be getting and what you might be giving up in exchange.

Look at the wider support network

Part of the benefit of accelerators and incubators is the connections you gain. The mentor list, potential investors, and alumni could all prove to be invaluable. The more closely aligned the network is with your goals, the more helpful it’s likely to be.

Think about your next steps

Investing time in an incubator or accelerator isn’t the end of your entrepreneurial journey – it’s just the beginning. It’s worth looking at whether your potential programme includes follow-on support like alumni events, investment introductions, press opportunities, workspace access, and ongoing mentoring. They might be just the thing to super-charge the next phase of your business growth.

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If you’re looking to refine or scale your business, an accelerator or incubator could be the next step. With mentoring, investment, workshops, and networking opportunities, you can learn from experienced business owners and maximise your resources. However, it’s important to consider the investment required, whether it’s time, money, or equity, and ensure that it’s a good fit for your business in both the short and long term.

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FAQs

How much equity do accelerators take?

The amount of equity varies from accelerator to accelerator. However, they tend to take between 5 and 10% of equity¹⁷ in exchange for the training and expertise they provide.

What are the best free incubators for startups in London?

Some of the best free accelerators and incubators in London are in the list we mentioned earlier: Hatch, London Business School, and Founders Factory to name a few.

How do I get into a startup accelerator in London?

The typical process for joining an accelerator involves applying to the specific programme you’re interested in. Following your application, you may be interviewed or have to answer questions about your business to determine if you’re the right fit for their programme.

What kind of startups are accelerators looking for?

Many accelerators are geared to a specific industry so it’s worth checking what the requirements are for your niche. In general, accelerators are looking for an innovative and compelling solution to a real problem. It’s also important that the founder is teachable and that the business is scalable.

Sources used:

1. Tracxn, Accelerators and incubators in London, United Kingdom
2. British Business Bank, What is a business incubator?
3. British Business Bank, What is a business accelerator?
4. Entrepreneurs First, About
5. Entrepreneurs First
6. Founders Factory, About
7. Founders Factory, Accelerator
8. Bethnal Green Ventures, Impact
9. Bethnal Green Ventures, Tech for Good program
10. London Business School, Incubator program
11. Seedcamp, Our companies
12. Seedcamp, FAQs
13. Hatch
14. Hatch, Programmes
15. Hatch, Incubator program details
16. Hatch, Accelerator program details
17. Silicon Valley Bank, How do startup accelerators work?

Sources last checked on 14-Oct 2025.