The Ultimate Guide to the UK’s Top 10 Startup Accelerators in 2024

Launching a startup is exhilarating yet challenging, and having the right support can make all the difference. In the fastpaced world of entrepreneurship, accelerators and incubators provide an unparalleled opportunity to turn your idea into a thriving business. Whether you need seed funding, mentorship, or access to a powerful network, the UK offers some of the world’s best startup programs to help you succeed.

For 2024, we’ve compiled a detailed list of the top 10 startup accelerators and incubators in the UK, each offering a unique blend of capital, expertise, and strategic resources. Let’s explore how these programs can catapult your startup to the next level.

Seedcamp: Nurturing Europe’s Tech Titans

When it comes to supporting highgrowth technology startups, Seedcamp is a pioneer. This Londonbased European seed fund focuses on identifying and investing in startups that are addressing global challenges through innovative tech solutions.

Seedcamp’s goal is simple: empower founders with the right resources, mentorship, and funding to accelerate growth. With notable investments in unicorns like Revolut, Hopin, and TransferWise, Seedcamp has cemented its place as a leader in the European venture capital scene.

Seedcamp offers £100,000 for a 7.5% equity stake and can coinvest up to £2 million alongside other investors. What makes Seedcamp even more attractive is its vast network of experts and access to global investors, providing startups with the runway to scale rapidly.

Investment: £100,000 for 7.5% equity

CoInvestment: Up to £2 million

Startups Funded: Over 260

Notable Alumni: Revolut, Hopin, TransferWise

Location: London

Why Seedcamp?

Seedcamp is ideal for earlystage startups that want to gain access to capital and worldclass mentorship, as well as scale rapidly across Europe and beyond.

 

Entrepreneur First: Building Startups from Scratch

Entrepreneur First (EF) is more than an incubator—it’s a global talent investor. What sets EF apart is its belief in backing individuals before they even have an idea or cofounder. Their sixmonth program helps exceptional individuals build teams, test ideas, and eventually secure funding. It’s perfect for founders with ambition but no clear roadmap yet.

Since its founding in 2011, EF has expanded beyond London with offices in Paris, Bangalore, Singapore, and other global tech hubs. Over 500 companies have emerged from the program, including Tractable, which was valued at £1 billion in 2021.

Participants receive up to $100,000 for 10% equity, along with deep support from a vast network of investors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs.

Investment: Up to $100,000 for 10% equity

Startups Founded: 500+

Global Offices: London, Paris, Bangalore, Singapore, Berlin, Toronto

Notable Alumni: Tractable

Success Rate: 10% of applicants are selected

Why Entrepreneur First?

If you’re a driven individual but don’t yet have a concrete business idea or cofounder, EF can help you find both while providing seed funding and strategic guidance.

Oneday: The Startup Accelerator with an MBA Twist

Ever thought of launching a business and earning an MBA at the same time? Oneday offers exactly that. This groundbreaking program provides entrepreneurs with oneonone mentorship from experienced serial founders while guiding them through the launch of their business.

Oneday’s MBA is fully accredited, blending academic rigor with handson entrepreneurship. Participants gain a deep understanding of everything from business planning and marketing to sales and scaling—all while receiving personal mentorship to steer them towards success.

For founders looking to add formal business education to their entrepreneurial toolkit, this program provides a unique, holistic approach to startup acceleration.

Program: Accredited MBA + 1on1 mentorship

Mentorship: Serial founders in your industry

Special Focus: Turning business ideas into reality with practical education

Location: London

Why Oneday?

Oneday is ideal for those who want to gain indepth business knowledge while launching a startup, with personalized guidance from experts in their field.

 

Founder Institute: The World’s Largest PreSeed Accelerator

Founder Institute (FI) is a global powerhouse with a focus on supporting preseed startups. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a team, FI is dedicated to helping you refine your ideas and build a solid business foundation. Its network spans 200+ cities, making it one of the largest accelerator communities in the world.

FI’s London program provides access to expert mentorship, a global network of alumni, and preseed funding opportunities. More than 5,000 companies have launched through FI, and their combined portfolio is valued at $30 billion. Startups benefit from intense, handson support that helps turn ideas into scalable businesses.

Companies Founded: 5,000+

Portfolio Value: $30 billion

Program Reach: 200+ cities worldwide

Notable Alumni: Udemy, TravelCar

Location: London

Why Founder Institute?

Ideal for aspiring founders at the idea stage, FI offers the mentorship, funding, and global network necessary to bring a vision to life.

 

Founders Factory: An Innovation Powerhouse

Launched in London, Founders Factory is an innovationcentric accelerator designed to help earlystage startups become sustainable, highgrowth businesses. The program offers a blend of expedited funding, agile technology development, and mentorship, with a focus on building innovative, marketready solutions.

Founders Factory has funded over 200 startups, with a diverse portfolio spanning industries like FinTech, AI, healthcare, and beauty. They also boast a studio where they cocreate and launch businesses from scratch, helping founders accelerate their gotomarket strategies.

Startups Funded: 200+

Sectors: FinTech, AI, healthcare, beauty, and more

Program Model: Agile tech development and cocreation

Global Offices: London, Paris, Johannesburg, New York

Why Founders Factory?

If you’re looking for a highly customized program with deep industry expertise, Founders Factory is a smart choice for accelerating growth in emerging sectors.

 

Techstars: A Global Startup Accelerator Giant

Techstars is arguably the largest accelerator program in the world, with a proven track record of helping startups raise billions. Every year, Techstars selects 500 startups to join its 3month, mentorshipdriven programs in cities around the globe, including London.

What sets Techstars apart is its massive network of mentors, investors, and alumni. The program invests $120,000 in each startup, giving them the capital and strategic guidance to succeed postprogram, where they often raise millions more.

Investment: $120,000

Startups Funded: 2,500+

Total Raised: Over $15.7 billion

Program Duration: 3 months

Why Techstars?

Techstars is perfect for ambitious startups seeking global scale, rapid funding, and deep mentorship connections.

 

Activate Studio: A Tech Partner for Startups

For startups that need handson tech support to build their product, Activate Studio offers a highly specialized 6week program designed to get earlystage companies from concept to MVP. Successful applicants can raise £50,000 in seed funding, along with expert guidance on product development and market fit.

Investment: £50,000

Program: 6week MVP development

Why Activate Studio?

Ideal for techdriven startups that need help with product design and development, Activate Studio offers intensive technical support to bring your idea to life.

 

Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV): For ImpactDriven Entrepreneurs

If your startup is solving major social or environmental challenges, Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) could be your ideal incubator. BGV focuses on companies using technology to tackle critical global issues and improve lives. With an impressive track record of impactdriven startups, BGV offers £30,000 in investment for 6% equity and has supported over 141 startups that have collectively raised £98 million.

Investment: £30,000 for 6% equity

Startups Funded: 141+

Total Funding Raised: £98 million

Location: London

Why Bethnal Green Ventures?

If your startup aims to make a social or environmental impact, BGV’s focus on purposedriven innovation is a perfect fit.

 

The Bakery: Custom Programs for Every Entrepreneur

The Bakery is a unique incubator that tailors its programs to support startups at all stages, from idea validation to scaling. Whether you’re a firsttime founder or an experienced entrepreneur, The Bakery offers handson guidance in product development, gotomarket strategy, and growth.

Location: London

Programs: Custom, stagespecific

Why The Bakery?

With a focus on personalized support, The Bakery is an excellent fit for entrepreneurs looking to receive tailored advice at every stage of their startup journey.

 

Oxygen Accelerator: For Tech Startups Ready to Scale

For tech startups aiming for rapid growth, Oxygen Accelerator offers a comprehensive 13week program. With €21,000 in funding and mentorship from over 150 seasoned advisors, Oxygen Accelerator gives founders the tools to test and scale their tech solutions in a fastpaced environment.

Investment: €21,000

Program: 13 weeks

Mentorship: 150+ mentors

Why Oxygen Accelerator?

Oxygen is perfect for techdriven startups that need handson support to develop, test, and scale their products.

 

Conclusion

Choosing the right accelerator or incubator can be the defining factor in your startup’s success. With these top 10 UKbased programs, you have access to worldclass mentorship, funding, and networks that will enable you to scale your business faster and smarter. Whether you’re building a social impact venture or the next big tech unicorn, 2024 is the year to take the leap.