Founders Factory2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
London-based venture builder and accelerator backed by corporate partners. Runs sector programs with investment and corporate pilots; amounts are not published.
- Varies
- Funding
- Not published
- Equity
- 4 months
- Program length
- Rolling
- Applications
About Founders Factory
Founders Factory is a venture studio and accelerator based in London. Brent Hoberman and Henry Lane Fox cofounded it in 2015. It builds and funds startups together with large companies. Its model is different from a classic accelerator. Most of its accelerator programs are run with a corporate partner that backs the program and works with the startups on pilots, distribution and follow-on capital. Current open programs include the Aviva Fintech Investment Program in London, the Rio Tinto Mining Tech Investment Program in Perth, the HSBC Industrial Innovator Programme in Singapore, the Mediobanca Fintech Investment Program in Milan and the Western Australia Government Nature Tech Investment Program. Past corporate backers have included easyJet, L'Oreal, Guardian Media Group and Holtzbrinck. Founders Factory also runs a venture studio that cofounds new companies, and venture funds. It reports more than 450 portfolio investments, which have raised more than $1.7B. Exits include Flourish, which Canva acquired in 2022, Honest Health, acquired by Hims and Hers in 2021, Landvault, acquired by Infinite Reality in 2024, and Monolith, acquired by CoreWeave in 2025. Active portfolio companies include Storyblok and Scan.com, both at Series C, and Dronamics at Series B.
What Founders Factory looks for
Founders Factory backs pre-seed and seed startups in sectors where its corporate partners operate. Today those are mainly fintech, industrials, health, deep tech, climate and media. Because programs run with partners such as Aviva, Rio Tinto and HSBC, the best fit is a startup that could run a pilot or sell to that partner. The official site does not publish more detailed selection criteria.
How the Founders Factory program works
The core accelerator is a four month, cohort based program of operational support. Founders Factory has an in house team of operators who work with startups across four areas: raising capital, operational support, corporate partnerships and pilots, and community. Each program is tied to a sector and usually a corporate partner. Startups work on pilots and commercial deals with that partner during the program. Many programs can be joined remotely, with a hub in London, Perth, Singapore, Milan or another partner city. The program includes investor showcase events and introductions to Founders Factory's investor network. Terms, cohort size and dates depend on the specific program.
How to apply to Founders Factory
- 1Browse open programs on foundersfactory.com/accelerator and pick the one that matches your sector and region.
- 2Apply through that program's own form, or the general Typeform if you are unsure which program fits.
- 3Explain your product, traction and how you would work with the program's corporate partner.
- 4If shortlisted, expect conversations with the Founders Factory team and often the corporate partner before an offer.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Notable Founders Factory alumni
Companies that went through or were backed by Founders Factory.
Founders Factory vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founders Factory | Varies | Not published | London, plus Perth, Singapore, Milan, Chicago | Rolling admissions |
| Seedcamp | Up to $1.3M | Not published | London, UK | Rolling admissions |
| Antler | Up to $500K | Not published | 30 locations including New York, San Francisco, Austin, London, Singapore, Sydney | Rolling admissions |
| Zinc | Up to $325K | Not published | London | Rolling admissions |
| Entrepreneurs First | Up to $250K | 8% for $125K | London, Bangalore, San Francisco | November 2, 2026 (6 days left) |
| Techstars London | $220K | 5% common stock for $20K | London | November 18, 2026 (22 days left) |
Founders Factory FAQ
When is the Founders Factory application deadline?+
Founders Factory reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
How much does Founders Factory invest?+
Founders Factory does not publish a standard investment amount or equity stake on its website. It says it invests capital at idea, pre-seed and seed stages, and terms vary by program and corporate partner. Ask the program team for the term sheet before you apply.
Who founded Founders Factory?+
Brent Hoberman and Henry Lane Fox cofounded Founders Factory in London in 2015. Hoberman previously cofounded lastminute.com. Founders Factory runs a venture studio, corporate backed accelerator programs and venture funds. Its backers have included easyJet, L'Oreal, Guardian Media Group, Aviva and Holtzbrinck.
How long is the Founders Factory accelerator?+
The Founders Factory site describes its accelerator as a four month, cohort based program of operational support. Some older programs ran for six months. Each program is tied to a corporate partner and sector, so exact dates and length depend on the program you apply to.
Which companies came out of Founders Factory?+
Founders Factory exits include Flourish, acquired by Canva in 2022, Honest Health, acquired by Hims and Hers in 2021, Landvault, acquired by Infinite Reality in 2024, and Monolith, acquired by CoreWeave in 2025. Storyblok and Scan.com are active portfolio companies at Series C.
Sources: foundersfactory.com, foundersfactory.com, cityam.com, osborneclarke.com, escapethecity.org