Pizza Hut Delivery awards grant to support underrepresented entrepreneurs

The program is in partnership with Hatch Enterprise and Groundwork.

Pizza Hut Delivery and Hatch Enterprise, in partnership with Groundwork, have announced the recipients of the New Founder Programme Grant. The grant scheme is an extension of the New Founder Programme, which offers UK entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds the tools and skills they need to start their own businesses. 

Access to finance has been a significant barrier for founders from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly female founders. According to a report from Rose Review, one in three ethnic minority female founders reported making no profit last year, compared with 15% of white, female business owners.

Graduates of the New Founder Programme were invited to apply for the grant, which offers funding to help kick-start their businesses. Graduates who had completed the New Founder Programme Launchpad scheme were able to apply for up to £1k, whilst those from the Incubator programme could apply for grants of up to £5k. 

In total, almost £40k in funding was awarded to 16 entrepreneurs. Recipients of the grant include Alexandra Birtles, who launched In Good Company, an ethical consumer platform that promotes local enterprises, and Amani Simpson, who founded AVIARD Inspires, an "edu-tainment" brand that empowers young people through personal development and digital media.

The New Founder Programme has invested almost £1m into the grant scheme to date, supporting over 700 entrepreneurs. Pizza Hut Delivery launched the programme in 2021 as a way to support local communities and give back to budding entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.