1. DIGITAL CATAPULT
Digital Catapult is the UK authority on advanced digital technology. Through collaboration and innovation, we accelerate industry adoption to drive growth and opportunity across the economy. We bring together an expert and enterprising community of researchers, startups, scaleups and industry leaders to discover new ways to solve the big challenges limiting the UK’s future potential. Through our specialist programmes and experimental facilities, we make sure that innovation thrives, and the right solutions make it to the real world.
Our goal is to accelerate new possibilities in everything we do and for every business we partner with throughout the journey – breaking down barriers, de-risking innovation, opening up markets and responsibly shaping the products, services and experiences of the future.
Digital Catapult works with organisations on projects involving at least one of the technologies from its “Advanced Digital Technology Stack”: Artificial intelligence (AI), immersive, internet of things (IoT), distributed ledger technologies (DLT), 5G/future networks and quantum technologies.
2. PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
2.1 The Programme
Delivered by Digital Catapult, as part of the FutureScope cross-technology acceleration programme (“Programme”), the Grow Track supports early-stage businesses developing innovative and commercially focused digital solutions (“Participants”). The Accelerate Track aims to provide Participants with business and investment mentorship, workshops and support to confidently pitch their ideas directly to industry and investors.
The Programme is being sponsored by:
(“Sony Music Entertainment Limited (01471066)”)
(“Sony Music Publishing Limited (04965804)”)
This call addresses the challenge of Black founders facing significant disadvantages and their participation in startup ecosystems and in securing venture capital (VC), is disproportionately low. The Black Founders Programme is a 13-week programme targeted at up to 10 high-growth potential companies creating innovative products and services in the creative industry.
The aim is to fast track their growth from a business and investment perspective and provide the support needed to become investment ready.
Support includes:
- Business & Investment Health Scans
- Business & Investment support designed from the Health Scans
- Masterclasses, mentoring & coaching from industry experts
- Peer support
- Potential for funding opportunities
- Access to potential partners, investors and customers
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities & deep tech expertise.
2.2 Programme Objectives
The Programme objectives include:
- Increasing the investment readiness of startups
- Support startups in the creative industry optimise internal systems to clear a path for commercial activity
- Curating and strengthening a startup ecosystem of advocates for Black Founders
2.3 Programme Judges
During the application stage, the judges will be responsible for scoring the applications according to the process and criteria set out in these Competition Terms. The judges will be chosen based on (i) their experience and expertise, and (ii) ability to exercise independent judgment. The Programme Judges comprise:
Internal Judges: A number of judges from Digital Catapult will help judge the applications.
And may include any of the following:
Programme Collaboration Partner Judges: A number of judges from:
BGV INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD (“Bethnal Green Ventures”)
63/66 Hatton Garden Fifth Floor Suite 23, London, England, EC1N 8LE
(10499434)
Becky Brook Consulting Ltd
66 Elgin Crescent, W11 2JJ
(10672673)
Phil Benson
Sponsor Judges: A number of judges from Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK.
2.4 The Programme Partners
The following organisations are partnering with Digital Catapult to deliver the Programme:
Programme Collaboration Partners:
Digital Catapult is working in collaboration with Bethnal Green Ventures on the Black Founders Programme. Bethnal Green Ventures is Europe’s leading early-stage tech for good VC. They back ambitious founders from all walks of life using technology to tackle the world’s pressing social and environmental challenges, aiming to positively impact millions of lives and deliver great returns.
Digital Catapult is working in collaboration with Becky Brook Consulting on the Black Founders Programme. Becky Brook Consulting advises on music industry engagement, rights and data, working at the intersection of music and emerging technologies, including: Artificial Intelligence, Livestreaming, Virtual Reality & Web3.
Digital Catapult is working in collaboration with Phil Benson. Phil Benson is an award-winning serial entrepreneur. Phil has played a key role in assisting economic regeneration initiatives & advising new startup businesses in both the tech and traditional ecosystem. He has experience operating on boards across the private, public & charity sectors.
2.5 Applicants & Participants
You are considered an “Applicant” if you apply to this competition.
You are considered a “Participant” if you are successful with your application and complete all pre-Project activities (e.g. signing the Programme Agreement).
3. PROGRAMME BENEFITS
- Diagnostic Sessions – 1:1 sessions with experts and mentors to determine your current business and investment needs.
- Investment guidance – Business and investment support, based on the findings of your diagnostic sessions, including sessions with experienced investors.
- No fees or equity required – Applying to and participating in the programme is free, and Digital Catapult does not ask for equity in return for support.
- Potential for funding opportunities – Successful completion of the Black Founders programme can open the door to potential funding opportunities as part of our alumni community.
- Peer Support – Build relationships, share insights, and collaborate on projects with other non competing entrepreneurs through group coaching sessions and networking events.
- Masterclasses & mentoring from experts in the Creative industries – Learn from Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK and other creative specialists and build your network. Develop and improve business planning, commercial strategy, pricing and positioning, operational processes and investment readiness.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities & deep tech expertise – Visit one or more of our facilities including our immersive labs, SONIC labs and more. Learn how our facilities can support your business upon completion of the programme
- A programme final during which the participants will present and network with an invited audience of investors, partners and industry representatives.
- The opportunity to join the Digital Catapult alumni network, which keeps them informed of opportunities and relevant updates from the Digital Catapult, and additional opportunities to engage with Digital Catapult and other alumni.
4. PROGRAMME OBLIGATIONS
Participants must be willing to commit to the following key obligations:
- Attend the kick-off event hosted by Digital Catapult.
- Attend 75% of the workshops, masterclasses, progress check-in meetings/calls, and/or webinars hosted by Digital Catapult, Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK from August to November 2024.
- Attend, present and/or demonstrate at the Showcase event in November 2024.
- Participant agrees to be visibly (name and logo) associated with the Programme, whilst in the Programme, and afterwards as a former participant and beneficiary. This includes marketing collateral, such as website, print and digital materials.
- For a maximum period of five years following the Project end date, Participant shall use its reasonable endeavours to answer specific questions from Digital Catapult relating to its growth and progress to assist Catapult demonstrate the impact of its activities. This shall include: (i) participation in an annual telephone conversation of one hour, and (ii) participation in a two early survey issued by Digital Catapult.
5. APPLICANTS
5.1 Minimum Requirements
- Business and product/service must be solving a problem in the creative industries including but not limited to the following subsectors:
- Advertising and marketing
- Animation
- Architecture
- Arts and culture
- Crafts
- Design
- Fashion
- Film, TV and video
- Games
- Publishing
- Music and radio
- Visual art and photography
- Applicants must have at least one founder that identifies as Black or multiracial with Black heritage. (please ensure that at least this section is completed in the EDI survey, as this is assessed for eligibility purposes at the Qualification stage).
- Applicants must be eligible to receive £20,000 in State Assistance (see section 9.2 below for further details).
- Applicants must have a UK business bank account for any payments to be made.
- Applicants must be a UK based registered company, or prove they are a company that has an establishment in the UK, and undertake all activity in the UK.
- Applicants must develop solutions enabled by at least one of the technologies from the Advanced Digital Technology Stack: Artificial intelligence (AI), immersive, internet of things (IoT), distributed ledger technologies (DLT) and 5G/future networks.
5.2 What we’re looking for
Applicants are looking to raise investment in the next 12 months. Applicants must be pre-seed or seed stage companies.
Defining Pre-Seed & Seed:
- Pre-Seed: Demonstrate that your business solves a customer problem. We expect that you kicked off your business with a small amount of funding. You are seeking funding that will help support your early product development. It’ll build the foundation of your business by funding an early team, operations, and the creation of a minimum viable product (MVP).
- Seed: focuses more on developing and proving that your customers want your product. Companies at this stage should have proven the key value of their product. We expect that you have received some early stage funding from either individual investors or an early stage venture capital fund. The purpose of seed funding is to help founders develop product-market fit, drive sales, and identify key growth strategies and enable opportunities to grow.
6. KEY DATES
• Open Call – Applications Open: 4 June 2024
• Open Call – Application Deadline: 7 July 2024
• Interviews (30 minute slot): 29 – 31 July 2024
• Intended notification of all Applicants: 5 August 2024
• Contracting: 5 – 15 August 2024
• Intended public announcement of successful Participants: 19 August 2024
• Programme:
Start Date: 19 August 2024
End Date: 29 November 2024
7. THE APPLICATION
7.1 What information should my application contain?
Applicants must answer all required questions in the full online application form.
7.2 Who will see my Application?
The following people will see your application:
Catapult Representatives: Relevant Catapult representatives will see your application in order to assess the application, and otherwise in the administration of your application and, if successful, participation in the Programme.
The Programme Judges will see your full application, except for your company name and personal information fields.
Note: Even if personal information fields from the application are not disclosed, if there is a presentation stage as part of the application process, names of presenters will be disclosed to Judges (if applicable).
Judging Applications
Programme Judges: will see your full application, except for your personal information fields.
Programme Participation
Programme Partners: For Participants, Programme Collaboration Partners and the Sponsor will see your full application, along with your company name, key contact name and key contact email address] in order to provide bespoke support during the Programme including 1:1 office hours, mentorship, workshops and/or webinars. Note that Technology Partner and Sponsor Judges will not see your personal information fields when judging applications.
7.3 Key contact
Applicant will appoint a main contact for the Programme (“Key Contact”). This person will be Digital Catapult’s main point of contact for the competition and, if successful, Applicant’s Programme activities, including: workshop and event commitments, team members’ availability, ongoing activities, and assessment of progress during and after the Programme.
Digital Catapult will use this personal information for the purpose of carrying out due diligence on Applicants prior to the point of selection onto the Programme and to notify successful and unsuccessful Applicants over their submissions. The personal data we collect may be shared with and processed by (i) Programme Judges for the purpose of assessing the Applications; and (ii) Programme Partners and third party service providers for the provision of benefits to the Participants in the Programme, as set out in these Competition Terms.
7.4 Submitting your application
You must submit your application via the Skipso form (“Submission Method”).
All applications must be submitted via the Submission Method by the Application Deadline.
Once your completed application has been received, Digital Catapult will send you a confirmation receipt by email. If you do not get a receipt within twenty four (24) hours of the next working day, please email us at [email protected] with the subject “Black Founders 2024” Application Submission”.
7.5 Digital Catapult’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion Survey
In addition to your application, you will be required to complete Digital Catapult’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion Survey (‘Survey’). Whilst the completion of this Survey is mandatory, please note that your responses to this Survey will be kept separately from your application and will have no effect whatsoever on your application to the Programme, except, as this is a Positive Action programme (see paragraph 7.6 Positive Action), you must complete the survey to the extent needed to qualify for the minimum criteria under the programme eligibility requirements (see paragraph 5.1, Minimum Requirements), assessed at the Qualification stage (see paragraph 8.1).
Digital Catapult (as the Data Controller) will collect and process your personal data, including the following special category data to help Digital Catapult improve its services in respect of equality, diversity and inclusion:
- Racial and/or ethnic origin
- Sexual orientation
- Health (including disability)
- Religious and/or philosophical beliefs
The data collected and processed may be shared with relevant third parties and/or published but only in an aggregated form, which means you will not be personally identifiable.
Your personal data will be kept for 15 months from the time you respond to the Survey. Should you apply to another of Digital Catapult’s opportunities within the 15 month period, we will provide you with the option to allow us to re-use the data we already hold, to resubmit the Survey or to delete your Survey data. If you choose to complete the Survey again, we will keep your updated data for 15 months from the time you resubmit the Survey.
Please note you are responsible for the accuracy of the data you share with Digital Catapult and you agree to inform us if your data needs to be updated.
For more information on Digital Catapult’s collection, use and protection of your personal data and your rights in regards to your personal data, please see Digital Catapult’s privacy policy (https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/privacy-policy) or contact us at [email protected]. If you have specific queries on our use of your Survey data (including a request to delete your Survey data), please contact us at e[email protected].
8. SELECTION
8.1 Qualification
The Catapult will undertake an initial assessment of the Applicants against the Programme Requirements.
8.2 Selection process
There will be 2 stages:
First stage: Online application submission.
Second stage: Once applications close, completed applications are judged and assessed based on the selection criteria and a shortlist selected for review by Judges. In the case there are several applications of equal standing that are borderline, Judges will conduct interviews with all shortlisted applicants for fairness. Their previous score will be made redundant and a new score generated based on the original selection criteria and interview answers. The 10 highest ranked Applicants will be accepted onto the Programme.
8.3 Application Scoring criteria and weighting
The scoring criteria will be assessed based on statements in the areas below. Each criterion will be scored on a range from 0 to 5. 0 being an “Unacceptable or No submission” score for each criterion and 5 being an “Excellent” score for each criterion. This scoring will be applied to all applications and will be equally weighted.
Score Key Assessment
Score
Interpretation
Excellent (5)
Satisfies the requirement and demonstrates exceptional understanding and evidence in their ability/proposed methodology to deliver a solution for the required supplies/services.
Good (4)
Satisfies the requirement with minor additional benefits. Above average demonstration by the Applicant of the understanding and evidence in their ability/proposed methodology to deliver a solution for the required supplies/services.
Acceptable (3)
Satisfies the requirement. Demonstration by the Applicant of the understanding and evidence in their ability/proposed methodology to deliver a solution for the required supplies/services.
Minor Reservations (2)
Satisfies the requirement with minor reservations. Some minor reservations of the Applicant’s understanding and proposed methodology, with limited evidence to support the response.
Serious Reservations (1)
Major reservations of the Applicant’s understanding and proposed methodology, with little or no evidence to support the response.
Unacceptable
OR
No submission (0)
Nil or inadequate response. Fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement.
There are 5 criteria upon which applicants will be assessed:
1. Relevance to the programme theme [no weighting]
2. Relevant to the application criteria [25%]
The applicant should demonstrate that their company meets the application criteria.
3. Growth potential [25%]
The company should be capable of demonstrating significant market demand for their solution.
4. Business strategy [25%]
The company should be able to articulate its revenue model, who its customers are, identify key acquisition channels and describe its go-to-market strategy.
5. Ability to execute [25%]
The company and its employees should have the necessary experience and skill to consistently develop, deliver and commercialise their solution.
Furthermore, Participants will be selected on a portfolio basis to ensure the Programme is able to deliver consistent support and activities that provide value to all Participants.
8.4 Due diligence
We will carry out due diligence on applicants prior to the point of selection onto the Programme. Applicants must be willing to submit further information or documentation upon request to qualify as ‘successful’.
8.5 Successful applicants
Successful applicants will be notified and provided with a standard agreement for review and execution (“Programme Agreement”).
The Programme Agreement is a standard agreement and not negotiable. We do try and ensure these contracts are fair and reasonable.
In order to be accepted onto the Programme, successful applicants must sign the Programme Agreement.
9. COMPETITION TERMS – SPECIFIC
9.1 Benefits
All the benefits provided under the Programme by third-party organisations (“Suppliers”) are subject to the Supplier’s terms and conditions stated in the Programme T&Cs.
Any optional benefits provided by third party organisations whose terms and conditions are not contained in the Programme T&Cs will be agreed between the Participant and the Supplier directly.
Digital Catapult reserves the right to amend the list of benefits at its sole discretion.
9.2 State Assistance
Participants shall receive the grant as Minimal Financial Assistance (“MFA”), or to the extent applicable under the Northern Ireland Protocol, the de minimis aid regulations (COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1407/2013), collectively referred to herein as “State Assistance.
The total State Assistance received or due to be received by an individual Participant (including any associated companies e.g. subsidiaries), originating from a United Kingdom source, must not exceed £315,000, or €200,000 (approximately £165,000) for Northern Ireland Companies (or any other company subject to the Northern Ireland Protocol), each in aggregate across the Participant’s current fiscal year (as at the Agreement Date) and the previous two fiscal years.
This Programme has been assessed as providing £20,000.00, approximately equivalent to €23,000.00
Before signing the Programme Agreement, Applicants will therefore be asked to sign a declaration confirming that they are eligible to receive the State Assistance.
9.3 Accessibility
We aim to make all of our programmes accessible. We welcome feedback as to how we may be able to improve the accessibility of our programmes in the future. If you have any feedback with regards to accessibility, please send your feedback by email to: [email protected]. Your feedback may be used by us in our programmes and activities.
9.4 Applicants
Digital Catapult reserves the right to accept any application which does not fulfil the minimum requirements.
9.5 Key Dates
Digital Catapult reserves the right to change the Key Dates at its sole discretion. No extension to deadlines will usually be granted, with very limited exceptions where the Applicant requests an extension due to reasonable extenuating circumstances, beyond the Applicant’s control and unforeseen to them, subject to the Applicant providing evidence that proves the extenuating circumstance; and the Applicant informing Digital Catapult as soon as reasonably practicable following the extenuating circumstance becoming apparent. Digital Catapult reserves the right to consider the factors and decide whether such circumstances are extenuating and whether granting an extension is fair to other applicants. No extension granted will usually be for greater than two working days.
9.6 Applications
All information and documents requested must be submitted. Failure to submit all requested information and documents may result in the application being rejected. Catapult will not use outside information in respect of your application unless otherwise indicated, other than to undertake due diligence. Digital Catapult reserves the right to not work with people or an organisation which it believes could impact its reputation.
9.7 Previous Applications
Catapult reserves the right to either (i) reassess an application from a previous competition (together with information gained from an update meeting), or (ii) accept as a successful applicant an organisation that was previously successful in a previous competition, but whose participation was deferred to a later Programme.
9.8 Personal Data
Digital Catapult is the Controller for the personal information submitted in the Application for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR.
In submitting the Application, the Applicant confirms that it has made the Key Contact and any other person whose personal data has been submitted, aware of, and has the lawful grounds to enable each Controller (including its processors) to, process the personal information of the Key Contact (and any other person named in the Application and open call process) as set out in these Competition Terms and in accordance with the respective privacy policies: Digital Catapult (https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/privacy-policy/).
9.9 Programme Agreement
Digital Catapult reserves the right to make amendments to the Programme Agreement it issues up until the point of execution by both parties.
9.10 Participant Programmes
Digital Catapult reserves the right to offer Participants access to its Participant Programmes, such as its Platinum Awards.
10. COMPETITION TERMS – GENERAL
10.1 Data Retention
Digital Catapult will store your application and the scoring it has received for the entire duration of the Programme, or up to two (2) years, whichever the greater. If you are a successful Applicant, we shall also store your Application for a period of up to seven (7) years following the end of the Programme. For administration purposes, contracts may be stored for up to seven (7) years, contracts providing State Assistance for up to eleven (11) years, and deeds for up to thirteen (13) years from the end of the Programme.
10.2 Confidentiality
The information provided in your Application will be kept confidential and only used and disclosed as reasonably necessary for the purpose of assessing Applications, and, if admitted onto the Programme, for working with you in the Programme. This may include with our Programme Partners as indicated above.
For practical reasons, NDAs will not be signed by Digital Catapult or the Programme Partners as part of this Programme Competition. The activities we provide can only be achieved through trust of the tech community. It is therefore not in our interest to release your sensitive information. Confidentiality provisions are included in the Programme Agreement.
The scoring of your Application will be treated as sensitive information.
As your Application will be transmitted over the Internet, ultimately Digital Catapult cannot guarantee its security.
10.3 Intellectual Property
We respect the intellectual property of others and we ask our Applicants to do the same.
In submitting the Application, you promise that you have and continue to have all necessary rights, licenses, permissions and consent to provide the content in your application to us, and for Catapult to use the Application as we have set out.
We will not remove from Applications any proprietary labels or copyright assertions.
10.4 Disclaimers, Exclusions & Limitations
We accept no liability for any consequences, whether direct or indirect, that may arise from your participation in the Programme Competition, your reliance on any statements we may have made about your application, the Programme, or its suspension or withdrawal.
In any case, to the extent permitted under law, Digital Catapult’s liability shall be limited to one thousand (£1,000) pounds.
10.5 Entire Agreement
These Competition Terms constitute the entire agreement between Digital Catapult and the Applicant and extinguish all previous and contemporaneous agreements, promises, assurances, and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of these Competition Terms
10.6 Jurisdiction
The Programme Competition is governed by English law and the Applicant agrees that any dispute shall be exclusively resolved in the English Courts.