South Yorkshire Black Tech Expo
About SYBTEWho we are, our mission, vision and purpose.Our FocusThe eight areas our programmes are built around.Why South YorkshireSheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham.
Programmes & RoadmapCurrent delivery and our 2026–2028 direction.Digital Health & InnovationCommunity-centred health technology and research.Digital PlatformDigital Academy, Mentor AI and startup resources.
EventsExpos, author showcases and community events.TrainingFree workshops, masterclasses and university collaborations.GalleryPhotos from our events, training and community sessions.
Community ImpactVerified programme metrics and outcomes.SpotlightFounders, students, leaders and alumni stories.Hall of FameHonouring the people whose work changed what's possible for our community.NewsAnnouncements, partner news and press coverage.
AwardsPartnersTeamGet Involved
Member loginJoin Us
Home
About
About SYBTEOur FocusWhy South Yorkshire
Programmes
Programmes & RoadmapDigital Health & InnovationDigital Platform
Events
EventsTrainingGallery
Impact
Community ImpactSpotlightHall of FameNews
AwardsPartnersTeamGet Involvedsouthyorkshire@blacktechexpo.co.uk
Member loginJoin Us
HomeAccelerator

Founder Accelerator

Black Tech FounderAccelerator

For Black founders building technology-enabled ventures in South Yorkshire. Learn, test and build your MVP with mentors and a cohort of fellow founders at Sheffield Technology Parks.

Applications
19 Oct – 20 NovApplications
Programme
4 Dec – 24 MarProgramme
Commitment
~5 hrs/weekCommitment
Places
Up to 15Places

Apply now

Complete the application on this platform. You can save your progress and come back any time before the deadline — no account needed. We review applications as they arrive, so applying early is better.

Start your application

Applications close Friday 20 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

Who can apply

  • Be aged 18 or over.
  • Be based in South Yorkshire, or have a venture that is based or actively operating in South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley or Doncaster).
  • Have the right to participate in the programme in the United Kingdom for the full programme period.
  • Be a Black founder, co-founder or business owner with an active leadership and decision-making role in the venture. Where a venture has more than one founder, the Black founder named in this application must actively participate throughout the Accelerator.

You'll also need to be developing a technology-enabled product, service or idea, and be able to attend the sessions and complete agreed work between them. You don't need a finished business or MVP to apply.

Programme sessions

  • 4 Dec 2026Business Architecture
  • 8 Jan 2027Business Financial Management
  • 22 Jan 2027Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • 9 Feb 2027Cloud and Digital Infrastructure
  • 19 Feb 2027The Startup Journey
  • 9 Mar 2027AI for Business
  • 24 Mar 2027Graduation and MVP Showcase

Sessions run for approximately 5 hours including breaks at Sheffield Technology Parks, Sheffield. Expect around 5 hours a week on average including assignments, mentor time and MVP development.

Key dates

Mon 19 Oct 2026
Applications open
19 Oct – 20 Nov
Rolling eligibility checks, review and scoring — apply early
Fri 20 Nov, 23:59 GMT
Applications close
2 – 24 Nov
Structured interviews (rolling)
Wed 25 Nov
Final panel and quality check
Thu 26 Nov
Offers and reserve list issued
Sun 29 Nov
Offer acceptance deadline
30 Nov – 3 Dec
Participant terms and onboarding
Fri 4 Dec 2026
Programme begins

Questions? Contact Michael Ekpechue at michaelekpechue@blacktechexpo.co.uk.

South Yorkshire Black Tech Expo

South Yorkshire Black Tech Expo is a regional gateway into the Black Tech Expo global platform — connecting talent, enterprise and opportunity across technology, innovation, business and community impact.

southyorkshire@blacktechexpo.co.uk
Join UsContact

Stay updated

Explore

About SYBTEProgrammes & RoadmapEventsTrainingDigital PlatformDigital Health

Community

Community ImpactSpotlightAwardsPartnersOur Team

Take Action

Join Us
Member login

© 2026 South Yorkshire Black Tech Expo. Part of the Black Tech Expo platform.