Founder Application · 2026 Cohort

Tell us about your build.

No pitch deck needed. We read every application personally and respond within 5 business days. Be direct — we value specificity over polish.

01 · About You Weighted 20%
We back founders with relevant domain knowledge and the credibility to lead their space.
02 · The Idea Weighted 25%
Be specific. "A SaaS for SMEs" scores poorly. "A cash-flow forecasting tool for UK recruitment agencies that integrates with their ATS" scores well.
03 · Market Validation Weighted 30%
This is our heaviest-weighted section. We only work with founders who have evidence the market wants what they're building. Idea stage is not eligible.
We require at least customer conversations or a waitlist before we can move forward. Please gather market evidence first — then reapply.
04 · Market Understanding Weighted 15%
Why you? What do you know that a generalist wouldn't?
05 · Capital Commitment Combined 10% with §06
Your investment determines the team scope and equity split. SEIS means your effective cost may be 50% lower. Capital and commitment are scored together as a single 10% block.
Not sure? See the full tier breakdown →
06 · Your Commitment Combined 10% with §05
07 · Supporting Documents Optional
Deck, one-pager, research summary, customer emails — anything that helps your case. Max 10MB total.
Accepted: PDF, Word, PowerPoint, images
Not sure if SEIS applies to you? Don't worry — AGS Accountancy will confirm your eligibility before you commit to anything. There's no charge and no obligation at this stage.

No commitment required. We read every application personally. Responses within 5 business days.

✓

Application received.

Thank you! We read every application personally and will be in touch within a working week.

📋 What happens next

1
Application reviewedWithin 5 business days — personally, not automated. You'll get a clear yes, no, or "let's talk".
2
30-min intro callWe explore your idea, answer every question you have — including legal structure, SHA terms, and SEIS. No commitment at this stage.
3
Term sheet + full SHA issuedEquity %, invoice schedule, vesting, IP assignment, leaver provisions — all in writing. We share the full SHA here, not a summary. 5 business days before any signing deadline.
4
SEIS eligibility confirmedAGS Accountancy reviews your tax position and confirms SEIS status before you commit. If SEIS doesn't apply to you, we'll tell you clearly.
5
SHA signed + incorporationUK Ltd formed in your name. You are founding director and sole signatory. SEIS advance assurance filed. Sprint begins within 2 weeks of incorporation.

🎯 How we score applications

Market validation
30%
Clarity of idea
25%
Domain expertise
20%
Market understanding
15%
Capital + commitment
10%
Validation is our top criterion — an idea without customer evidence won't progress, regardless of how strong the founder profile is.
🇬🇧 SEIS Tax Relief
£50k — with SEIS, your worst-case net exposure is as low as £15,000
SEIS gives 50% income tax relief on your investment. Your company is incorporated with SEIS advance assurance filed with HMRC. Handled by AGS Accountancy →