View all news

Minority ethnic tech founders supported by SETsquared Bristol Breakthrough Bursary

Former Breakthrough Bursary recipients Drs Neciah Dorh (left) and Zeke Steer

Press release issued: 22 September 2022

Acclaimed technology incubator SETsquared Bristol, led by the University of Bristol, is relaunching its Breakthrough Bursary for the fourth year, continuing its commitment to tech inclusivity.

The bursary is for UK tech entrepreneurs from a minority ethnic background and provides access to tailored business support at heavily discounted rates.

This includes coaching and mentoring, advice clinics, skills and training workshops, events and support to raise investment.

Awardees also benefit from SETsquared’s supportive community and three months free access to desk space at Engine Shed, the university’s enterprise hub.

The initiative is funded by SETsquared Bristol alumni members and the University of Bristol.

Fourteen companies have been recipients of the bursary to date, including University of Bristol spin-out FluoretiQ and PhD student startup Milbotix. Bursary companies to date have raised a combined £2.7 million in investment.

Dr Neciah Dorh, bursary alumnus and Co-founder and CEO of FluoretiQ , said: “The Breakthrough Bursary enabled us to join a community of amazing founders to learn from.”

Joyann Boyce, bursary awardee in 2021 and Founder/CEO of Inclued, an inclusivity tracking tool, said: “My experience of the Breakthrough Bursary has been nothing but positive. As an entrepreneur you often feel like you are out there on your own, but SETsquared Bristol provides a supportive community of founders at all stages.”

Marty Reid, SETsquared Bristol Director, said: “SETsquared Bristol’s ambition is to work towards levelling the playing field for minoritised groups within the tech sector by improving access to support, investment and networks. We look forward to welcoming new awardees with exciting ideas to our community."

Since SETsquared Bristol launched the Breakthrough Bursary in 2019, companies at the incubator with founders from a minority ethnic background have increased from 14% to 24%. This compares favourably to the UK average where less than 9% of senior tech leaders are from a minority ethnic background.

Any UK-based entrepreneurs from a minority ethnic background can apply for the Breakthrough Bursary if they are developing a tech startup or growing an existing company.

Find out more and apply by 7 November 2022.

Further information

Information about the Breakthrough Bursary

Breakthrough Bursary recipients will benefit from SETsquared Bristol’s bespoke incubation programme to support entrepreneurs from a minority ethnic background to launch or grow a business. Women entrepreneurs from minority ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply as a particularly underrepresented group in the industry. The bursary covers 75% of SETsquared Bristol’s Startup Membership fee for a year, at a cost of £43.12 + VAT per month. For more information about SETsquared Bristol’s diversity and inclusion work visit their Diversity and Inclusion page.

 

Information about SETsquared Bristol

SETsquared Bristol is a University of Bristol-led tech incubator, supporting founders to grow their businesses and make an impact in the world. It has incubated over 300 companies to date, with over £628 million raised. It supports its companies with bespoke business support, skills and training, an expert network and community of startups and scaleups. It has been named ‘Hottest Accelerator in Europe’ at The Europas Awards and has three times been awarded ‘Global #1 University Business Incubator’ as part of the SETsquared Partnership of six centres.

Edit this page