← Back0% equity. 0.1% acceptance. Built for the obsessed.
Kickstart is a venture programme for student founders already building in frontier technology. We don't want your equity. We want evidence you couldn't stop if you tried.
The bar.
- 01Student or recent graduate founder, anywhere in the UK
- 02Average age 21 at application
- 03Already building something: idea stage is not enough
- 04Building in frontier tech: AI, biotech, neurotech, climate, defence, web3, deep tech, or adjacent
- 05Can demonstrate obsession and early proof of progress
The package.
- 010% equity: unconditional, every cohort, every founder
- 02Proximity to ~800 obsessed peers in the Kickstart community
- 03Warm investor introductions, made when you're ready, not on a fixed demo day
- 04Mentors from 10+ years of relationship-building: Sequoia, OakNorth, Octopus, J.P. Morgan, 1517 Fund, Antler and more
- 05Corporate partners, tools, and resources
- 06Permanent alumni membership: the network compounds forever
The filter.
We accept approximately 0.1% of applicants. The filter is not academic results or pitch quality. It is demonstrated obsession and early evidence of motion. We are looking for founders who would have built regardless of whether Kickstart existed.
FAQ.
What is Kickstart?
Kickstart is a programme in London for young founders across the UK who are already building in frontier technology. It brings unusually driven people together and gives them access to founders, operators, mentors and investors, without taking any equity.
Does Kickstart take equity?
No. Kickstart takes 0% equity. That is unconditional, for every cohort and every founder.
Who can apply to Kickstart?
Student or recent-graduate founders anywhere in the UK who are already building something in frontier tech, such as AI, biotech, neurotech, climate, defence, web3 or deep tech, and can show early evidence of progress. The average age at application is 21.
What do Kickstart founders get?
Proximity to a community of around 800 builders, warm investor introductions when founders are ready rather than on a fixed demo day, mentors from Kickstart's network, partner tools and perks, and permanent alumni membership.
Are Kickstart applications open?
Applications are closed for now. Kickstart opens applications once per cohort, and subscribers to the Kickstart Substack hear first when the next one opens.
Where is Kickstart based and how do I contact the team?
Kickstart is based in London, UK. You can reach the team at london@kickstartglobal.com.
Applications are closed.
We open applications once per cohort. Subscribe on Substack and you'll hear first when the next one opens.