South Yorkshire Black Tech Expo | 2026
Black Tech FounderAccelerator
Don't just dream about building a business. Build it.
Turn your vision into a technology-enabled business. Develop your idea, build your MVP, access expert coaching and connect with an ecosystem designed to help founders move forward.
- Up to 10 founders
- South Yorkshire
- Dec 2026 – Mar 2027
Applications open 4 November and close 30 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
In partnership with Sheffield Technology Parks · Supported by Barclays Eagle Labs
Up to £5,000
Accelerator support value
Coaching, infrastructure and MVP development support.
Apply now
Ready to build? Start your application today.
Complete the application on this platform. You can save your progress and come back any time before the deadline — no account needed. We review applications as they arrive, so applying early is better.
Closes Monday 30 November 2026, 23:59 GMT
Eligibility
Who can apply
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Be based in South Yorkshire, or have a venture that is based or actively operating in South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley or Doncaster).
- Have the right to participate in the programme in the United Kingdom for the full programme period.
- Be either a Black founder, co-founder or business owner with an active leadership and decision-making role in the venture. Where a venture has more than one founder, the Black founder named in this application must actively participate throughout the Accelerator.
You'll also need to be developing a technology-enabled product, service or idea, and be able to attend the sessions and complete agreed work between them. You don't need a finished business or MVP to apply.
Curriculum
Programme sessions
- Define your value proposition, target customers and the problem you solve
- Map your business model and how your venture creates and captures value
- Set the foundations and priorities for the work ahead
- Understand costs, pricing, cash flow and basic financial planning
- Build a simple financial forecast for your venture
- Explore funding routes and what investors look for
- Build resilience, focus and confident decision-making as a founder
- Learn how to handle setbacks, risk and uncertainty
- Strengthen your leadership and personal brand
- Choose the right cloud and technology foundations for your product
- Understand security, data protection and scalability basics
- Plan your technical roadmap toward an MVP
- See practical ways AI tools can support your venture
- Identify where AI can save time, reduce cost or improve your product
- Understand responsible and ethical use of AI
- Learn the stages of a startup, from idea to traction
- Test your idea with real customers and use feedback to improve it
- Learn from founders who have been through the journey
- Present your MVP and progress to the cohort and guests
- Receive feedback and celebrate what you have built
- Plan your next steps after the programme
Sessions run for approximately 5 hours including breaks at Sheffield Science Park, Cooper Buildings, Arundel St, Sheffield S1 2NS. Expect around 5 hours a week on average including assignments, mentor time and MVP development.
Timeline
Key dates
- Wed 4th Nov 2026Applications open
- 4th Nov – 30 NovRolling eligibility checks, review and scoring — apply early
- Mon 30 Nov, 23:59 GMTApplications close
- 4 – 30 NovStructured interviews (rolling)
- Wed 25 NovFinal panel and quality check
- Thu 26 NovOffers and reserve list issued
- Mon 30 NovOffer acceptance deadline
- 30 Nov – 2 DecParticipant terms and onboarding
- Fri 4 Dec 2026Programme begins
Questions? Contact the South Yorkshire team at southyorkshire@blacktechexpo.co.uk.
Partners
Our partners
The Accelerator is delivered with the support of organisations that back founders in South Yorkshire.
Delivery Partner
Sheffield Technology Parks
Enterprise & Innovation
Barclays Eagle Labs
Supporting Partner
Risqly