Rise Accelerator

Experts-in-Residence

Experts who advise our founder network and who coach our accelerator startups

Ruben Portz

Founder of TractionPad

Jason Roberts

Kaleida International

Marisa Nzekwe

Vice President, New & Strategic Channels - Silicon Valley Bank

Marcel Frei

Co-founder of GMT Finances

Imelda Fossu

Growth Marketer

Dami Hastrup

Co-founder and CEO of MOONHUB

Lenna Lou

Founder of The L Factor

Andy Davis

General Partner & Co-founder, 10x10

Helping founders accelerate their ideas, learn best practices, and gain access to a community of fellow founders, investors, and experts.

The Rise Accelerator is a 15-week programme that prepares MVP and Pre-seed funded tech startups with the tools for investment, the customer acquisition strategy, and the improved network they need to increase their chances of success.

Consisting of 3 sprints, 2 online and 1 in-person, our updated programme is a practical, workshop-focused, growth oriented solution for dedicated underrepresented founders who have proven there is a real need for their solution. Culminating in a showcase to investors, experienced founders, and other key players, we have the perfect opportunity to help an early-stage startup succeed. And, our programme is free!
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The Rise Accelerator 2023 is our 5th edition of Rise, helping early-stage founders accelerate their ideas, learn best practices, and gain access to a community of fellow founders, investors, and experts.

Who should Apply?

You identify as belonging to an ethnic minority.
You have a demo-stage to MVP-stage product that has demonstrable traction, even if it is unpaid traction, that uses technology to solve a real problem.
You have raised no more than $250K (or equivalent) in funding.
You have proven commitment to your startup that shows your enthusiasm and work ethic.
You can commit to the 15-week programme and building your business while on the programme (6 hours a week minimum).
You are based in the EMEA region and speak English.

What our Entrepreneurs say

Over 50 founders have been through our programmes and have raised over $7.5 Million to date!

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“Something I took away from Traction Club is that we need regular training and reminding, even if we think we already know something… What we’re getting from this programme is gold!”

Aaron Bedward, founder of bsktPay

“This has been a really interesting few weeks [on Traction Club] because we’ve been able to speak to people who know how to overcome these exact issues [on B2B sales in the early-stages of business].”

Mandeep Soor, founder of Bendi

“Even though I've been part of a founding team before, I've never taken the lead in fundraising and pitching. Rise has given me the confidence and the platform to pitch live, learn fundraising basics, and share my story for the first time.”

Jaron Soh, founder of Voda

“The Rise programme is one of the most value adding accelerators I have been involved in. Nearly every week we had access to an industry expert, the team were always on hand... and the Showcase at the end was the cherry on top - being able to pitch to a massive audience filled with potential users."

Sohaib Ahmed, founder of &facts

“Rise is an amazing action-oriented program that has given me the tools needed to continue building Cocoon. The program made me dream even bigger and aim even higher in how far I can take Cocoon. It was especially wonderful to learn from the speakers, guests and the other women founders on Rise.”

Prisca Flint, founder of Cocoon

'I learnt a huge amount from the programme, the Colorintech team set up week after week of incredibly valuable talks. Introductions to investors and industry experts have really helped us push forward with clearer direction.'

Maya Lingam, founder of Ecospot

What you will get

Designed in collaboration with industry partners, our program is specifically for pre-seed founders

A Founders Playbook

Training you through in-depth, practical workshops, and providing you with activities to complete to accelerate your growth.

Office Hours

Our corporate partner network and experts can support you in fundraising, law, design and everything in between

Investment and Community Connections

Getting you in front of investors, and pitching you to them ourselves, and connecting you to relevant individuals and helping you grow your network.

Visibility and a Showcase

Improving your startup’s visibility by marketing you and your startup through out channels. Finish the programme by pitching your startup in front of a curated group.

Our alumni

What our Founders have to say about our program!

Rise Accelerator Partners

We partner with forward thinking organizations that support our mission and want to increase diversity

Program partners

In-Kind partners

Partner with us

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to attend sessions in-person?

Most of our workshops take place online. However, our final sprint will be an in-person residential in London and our Showcase event will also be in-person. If you are outside of London, we will support you to be able to attend these events (travel and other expenses).

Can I apply as a team?

The CEO or main founder should apply, if multiple founders are from underrepresented backgrounds. Otherwise, only a founder fitting our criteria should apply. More than one person from the same startup should not apply.

I don't have a startup idea. Can I still apply?

We are looking for founders actively working on an idea at MVP or early-product stage. If you are still at the ideation stage, we would love to direct you to our free Rise Online course, you can find all the basics for building a venture here, rise.colorintech.org.

Who should apply to Rise?

The Rise Accelerator is designed for underrepresented entrepreneurs with a tech startup, who identify as belonging into one or more of the underrepresented groups including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability, and other.

I already have a startup, can I apply?

Yes. If you already have a startup it means we can tailor our workshops around your actual business. We also can make the right introductions to our network of investors and mentors. So long as you fit our criteria, you can apply.

What are the key dates for Rise 2023?

Applications are open for around 5 weeks starting from 7th December. The programme runs from 28th Feb until the end of May 2023.

What happens after Rise?

We will support you on this programme to get funded and take the next steps with your startup. We'll have more programmes, events, and opportunities you could be invited to, and other new systems you'll be able to take advantage of. But whatever happens next, you'll join our extended Colorintech family of entrepreneurs and advisers and be invited to alumni events.

Do you take equity?

No and we have no plans to ever ask for some in the future. Colorintech is a registered non profit and our only objective is to help underrepresented entrepreneurs on their journey.

How much does the program cost to join?

The program is free. If you would like to support Colorintech financially please contact us.

Does my idea have to be a technology business?

Given the content of the program and the instructors expertise, we believe those who would like to develop tech enabled businesses would gain the most from the program.

Is there an age limit for this program?

No. We want to make this program inclusive and open to people from a breadth of underrepresented backgrounds regardless of age. However, you must be 18+ to apply.