Accelerating innovation, enterprise, and investment for
women-led businesses across West Yorkshire.
Are you a woman founder with an ambitious vision for your startup? Do you have a bold idea for a new business?
The Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem & Lifted Ventures Innovation Programme is here to help you break through barriers, build confidently, and access the mentorship you need to thrive.
Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem & Lifted Ventures Innovation Programme
The programme
We’re excited to announce a brand-new opportunity to support seven women-led enterprises, building on the success of the Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE) and the Lifted Ventures Innovation Programme for female founders.
The programme is for early stage female founders based anywhere, but who are keen to embed their business in West Yorkshire as part of The University of Bradford.
This programme is a 20 months accelerated learning programme with combined support from both Lifted Ventures and The University of Bradford. This initiative will initially commence with 3 workshops of support from Lifted Ventures followed by 18 months of support from The University of Bradford.
This accelerator programme is ideally set up for early stage and start-up female founders who are fostering innovation and require enterprise and entrepreneurial growth based support.
Empowering women to scale with purpose and power: Preparing Female Founders Business for Growth
Following on from the success of the Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE), West Yorkshire Combined Authority & Lifted Ventures Innovation Programme, Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem and Lifted Ventures are offering up to 7 places for an additional programme of support.
In the first two months, Lifted Ventures will work with you to refine your business model, boost investment readiness, and accelerate growth. After that, you’ll transition into the BREE programme at the University of Bradford, with access to mentorship, networks, resources, and tailored support.
To commence the programme Lifted Ventures will deliver 3 accelerated learning workshops which will cover:
- Business Model Evolution (in person)
- The Funding and Finance Landscape (virtually)
- Business Plan preparation (in person).
On completion of the Lifted Ventures workshops, the 18 month BREE programme of support will commence. The programme engages the experts from the BREE team at the University of Bradford, offering founders:
- Tailored monthly mentoring and coaching.
- Access to expert sessions and masterclasses.
- Regular investment and networking events.
- Use of business facilities (including the Entrepreneur’s Lounge).
- Research facilities, market intelligence, industry databases.
- Meeting rooms and access to technical support (e.g. AI, analytical labs).
- Marketing, law clinic and student resources.
- Opportunities to register your business at the University and access a professional address.
- Participation in international scaling programmes and open innovation initiatives.
- Ongoing support after the programme ends, including roles as alumni mentors or speakers.
- The chance to be part of a founder-driven community, with events, collaboration, and visibility.
This programme blends Lifted Ventures delivered expert business growth and investment coaching along with peer collaboration, with Bree delivered intense product development support all designed to help you de-risk growth, scale confidently, and build long-term sustainability. It is sector-agnostic, and is ideal for ventures that are early in their growth phase but already have a validated proposition or business case.
The University of Bradford is offering its entrepreneurship programme free of its usual £12,000 fee in exchange for a 15% equity stake in an early-stage business, implicitly valuing it at around £80,000. After the programme, you have the optional right to buy back 7.5% of that equity for £12,000—aligning the university’s incentives with your venture’s success.
Please review the FAQ’s to find out further information.
Who Should Apply
We invite female founders who meet the following criteria:
- You have an early-stage business (or are building one) and have not yet launched a full commercial MVP.
- You’re interested in integrating or experimenting with advanced technology features (for example AI-powered services, machine learning, data tools) but need guidance, structure and access to the right resources.
- You’re looking to leverage research, university resources or technical capabilities (for example labs, academic guidance, R&D facilities), or to develop international partnerships to strengthen your business or technology offering.
- You are committed to actively participating in a focused programme — engaging with expert mentoring, peer cohort sessions, and applying what you learn to take concrete next steps in technology development or UK expansion.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Your business must be, or you have an ambition to be registered in West Yorkshire UK.
- The application needs to be from a woman founder or co-founder, or anyone identifying as a woman. You need to be a founder, co-founder or CEO of the business.
- Your business can be from any sector as this programme is sector agnostic
- Business not in a prohibited sector (illegal drugs, etc).
- Be an early-stage business/start up.
- Business not currently insolvent or likely to be in the next six months.
- You need to be able to commit to either full workshop programme with Lifted
- Ventures and agreeing that BREE will take an equity stake of 15% in your
- business, and 7.5% of the 15% can be re-acquired within the duration of the Core programme.
Programme dates and timeline:
- Applications open: 3rd November 2025
- Workshops Commence: End of November 2025
- Kick-off: Entry workshops by Lifted Ventures covering Business Model Evolution, Investment Readiness, Access to Funding – November 2025, December 2025 & January 2026
- Duration: 2 months of intensive support from Lifted Ventures, followed by 18 months of ongoing embedded support via the University of Bradford’s BREE ecosystem.
Why Bradford?
Bradford is City of Culture 2025, bursting with creativity and innovation. With strong ties to global markets and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, the University of Bradford and BREE are committed to making Bradford a hub for female-led high-growth ventures.
With a focus on digital, health tech, creative industries, and clean tech, the programme leverages Bradford’s strategic position and the University’s research capabilities to elevate high-potential female-led businesses.
This Enterprise & Investment Programme is poised to drive transformational impact, fostering a new generation of high-growth, investment-ready female founders in West Yorkshire.
Bradford-based. West Yorkshire-wide. Globally connected.
Frequently asked questions
What is the eligibility criteria for this programme?
● Your business must be registered in West Yorkshire, UK.
● The application needs to be from a woman founder or co-founder, or anyone
identifying as a woman. You need to be a founder, co-founder or CEO of the
business.
● Your business can be from any sector as this programme is sector agnostic – with a
focus on digital, health tech, creative industries and clean tech.
● Be an early-stage business/start up
● Business not in a prohibited sector (illegal drugs, etc).
● Business not currently insolvent or likely to be in the next six months.
● You need to be able to commit to either full workshop programme with Lifted
Ventures and agreeing that BREE will take an equity stake of 15% in your business,
and 7.5% of the 15% can be re-acquired within the duration of the Core programme.
What support will BREE give me?
The programme is designed for founders who are looking for more intensive support to start
and grow their business. Over a two-year period founders will access initially 2 months
support from Lifted Ventures, followed by 18 months support from the established and
successful BREE programme, run by the University of Bradford, which provides fully-funded
support after the Lifted Programme.
The programme engages the BREE team at the University of Bradford, offering you tailored
mentoring, access to expert sessions and masterclasses, regular investment and networking
events, use of business facilities (including the Entrepreneur’s Lounge) and research
facilities, market intelligence, industry databases, meeting rooms and access to technical
support (e.g. AI, analytical labs), marketing, law clinic and student resources. Additionally
enterprises can register with a University business address.
What type of business should take part in the programme?
The programme is particularly well-suited for businesses at the start up stage through to early-stage growth, or for those needing intensive support and mentorship, such as founders developing a complex product.
The BREE team have particular expertise in growing innovative and scalable businesses, and have excellent international links. You will benefit from the structured environment, access to business facilities e.g. meetings rooms, Entrepreneurship Lounge, market intelligence databases, scientific and technical resources, ongoing links with investors, and guidance provided by the mentors.
A diagnostic questionnaire will be used to ensure that all founders who sign up to the
programme only connect with components which are relevant to their business growth plans
and starting position.
How do the 15% and 7.5% shares work financially?
The University of Bradford is providing free support on its established entrepreneurship programme for at least 18 months.
The fee the University would normally charge for this is £12,000. Instead of charging this fee the University is offering free places in return for a 15% share of your business. This effectively places the value of your start-up business at £80,000 if you are an early stage business. See later questions if your business is already trading, or has already had a valuation of more than £100k.
After the programme, when your business has grown in value, you have the option to buy back 7.5% of shares in your business from the University for £12,500, but only should you wish to, and you have the funds to do so. There is no obligation to do this, it’s optional. This effectively places the value of your business after two years at a minimum of £160,000.
In practice this means that if your business does not at least double in value, you will probablynot want to buy back 7.5% of shares, but if your business does well then it would be in your interests to buy back these shares, should you choose to, and are able to.
Through this structure the University is strongly incentivised to ensure your business is successful.
Will the 15% / 7.5% stake held by Bradford University deter future investors?
A 15% stake is considered a minority stake, meaning the University does not have control or veto power over the company’s decisions. The BREE programme aims to at least double your company value within the programme period, providing you the opportunity to buy back equity and reduce the University’s shareholding to 7.5%.
By participating in the programme, your business will build value, meaning that your business will remain attractive to investors.
Investors will be aware that by working with the University you would typically be able to reduce fixed costs and increase working capital to grow your business.
If your business already has a high valuation we recommend that you engage with BREE to access specific elements of their offer which are relevant to your business in return for a fee. We can set up a meeting with the BREE team to discuss this ahead of you signing up for the programme.
How much time will I spend on the programme?
The support from Lifted at the beginning includes 2 months of support across 3 workshops.
Both in person and virtual the additional 18 month support will be customised to your businesses needs so the time you invest will be led by you.
What additional support will I receive from the University of Bradford?
You will receive:
● Tailored monthly mentoring and coaching
● Access to research facilities
● Access to University resources, including research expertise, innovation labs, and marketing/AI departments
● Use of the Entrepreneurs’ Lounge and University library
● Opportunities to register your business at the University and access a professional address
● Participation in international scaling programmes and open innovation initiatives
● Ongoing support after the programme ends, including roles as alumni mentors or speakers
● The chance to be part of a founder-driven community, with events, collaboration, and visibility
How does the equity stake work?
Participation in the fully funded programme requires the University of Bradford to take a 15% equity stake in each participating business. To ensure flexibility for founders, businesses will have the option to buy back 50% of this equity (7.5%), at a capped rate at £12,500. Which is to be exercised within two years of joining the programme.
See later questions if your business is already trading, or has already had a valuation of more than £100k.
This approach aligns with the University’s commitment to supporting business growth while ensuring long-term sustainability and strategic value for both parties. The retained equity allows the University to reinvest in future cohorts, further strengthening the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem).
What if I have already secured investment, have a high existing valuation or have a significant trading history?
The 15% equity and 7.5% buy back structure is a really good tool for growing new and early stage businesses.
If your business has already secured investment or is actively trading, BREE can determine the value of your business and work out an appropriate shareholding (and buy back). See later question on their valuation approach.
Alternatively, you may wish to enrol on the BREE Core Entrepreneurship Programme and pay fees, in which case the University will not take any equity at all.
We recommend that you have an independent valuation, if you don’t already have one, as part of your discussions with BREE.
How does the University value a business?
If your business is at the idea or early stage then BREE will value your business at £80k (see questions above).
There may be exceptions to this if you are bringing some unique knowledge, intellectual property, or expertise to the business. If this is the case, or if you are already profitable and sustainable, then BREE may undertake a valuation of your business. Business valuations play a vital role for companies of all sizes – from emerging start-ups to long-established
corporations.
There are several methods used to determine a company’s value, and in most cases, a combination of these approaches is applied to provide a more accurate and well-rounded assessment.
Common valuation methods include:
● Entry valuation
● Discounted cash flow (DCF)
● Asset-based valuation
● Times revenue method
● Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio
● Comparable company analysis
● Industry best practices
● Precedent transaction method
Each valuation by the University is tailored to the specific circumstances of the business, taking into account its unique characteristics and market conditions.
If you believe that your business is already worth more than £100k we recommend also obtaining an independent valuation as part of your discussions with the BREE team.
I can't attend the Lifted Ventures workshops, should I still apply?
You must be able to commit to all the workshops so that you gain the maximum benefit from the programme.
My business is not registered in the UK. Can I still apply?
If your business is outside of the UK and wants to move to Bradford, you can do so as part of this programme and set up within the University of Bradford. This will form part of the full programme with continued support from the University.
If I am based outside of West Yorkshire, can I set my business up in the region?
Yes! If you’re currently based outside of West Yorkshire, you are welcome to establish your business within the region to qualify for the programme. We encourage relocation or regional registration as part of your commitment to the ecosystem. This programme is deeply embedded in the West Yorkshire innovation landscape, and part of its mission is to attract and retain high-potential businesses in the area.
I am a minority shareholding female co-founder, can I apply?
You should have a significant shareholding in the businesses, ideally equal to that of any male co-founders.
Can I set my business up at the University of Bradford?
Absolutely, you’ll have the opportunity to register your business using the University’s address, giving you a professional base of operations in Bradford.
You’ll also gain access to the Entrepreneurs’ Lounge, library resources, and the wider University infrastructure. This co-location model encourages collaboration, visibility, and connection to local talent, research, and funding networks.
I am an international applicant, how do I apply for a visa?
We accept applications from international applicants.
International applicants must meet the Home Office’s eligibility criteria.
Your business plan must clearly demonstrate that your proposed business is:
● New (not trading elsewhere)
● Distinctive
● Viable (financially sustainable)
● Scalable (with the potential to increase revenues and to create new jobs over time)
Please use the UK Home Office Innovator Founder Visa website to check your eligibility and
what is needed to apply.
Entrepreneurs from overseas will receive expert support from the University to support their application.
I have accessibility requirements, will there be support for me on the programme?
Yes, we can support you. Please include all your requirements in your application.
I need some help completing the application, is this support available?
Yes, please get in touch via our email address [email protected]
Still have questions?
Then please do get in touch with us and we can help to answer them.