PATHWAYS
PROGRAMME
Each participant receives over £18,000 worth of support, including one-to-one business coaching, digital skills training, workspace and event access, funding opportunities, connections to paid placements and a vibrant community of young entrepreneurs. Plus, a chance to win £6,000 in seed-funding to take your next big step.
About the Programme
Our 9-month Pathways programme is fully-funded and designed for 18–30-year-olds in London. We help you test and validate your business idea through 1:1 coaching, expert-led sessions, and real-world start-up experience. Whether you decide to launch as a full-time founder or use employment as your first investor to grow a business, you’ll leave Pathways with a clear plan, a powerful network, and the skills to thrive.
What to expect:
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A mix of online and in-person workshops held in Tooting and Brixton
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1:1 coaching sessions tailored to your goals, whether business or career-focused
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A supportive community of young people exploring entrepreneurship and employability pathways
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Weekly sessions covering key topics like marketing, finance, pitching, and career skills
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Support creating a pitch deck and boosting presentation skills
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Digital skills training sessions, e.g., building your own website
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The opportunity to pitch your business idea to win a cash prize of £5,000
Thanks to our funders Walcot Foundation and Impetus in partnership with Shapeways.io, you are able to gain access to fundamental resources that will support you in building your business.
Who Can Apply?
This programme is for you if:
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You’re aged between 18–30
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You are based in London
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You have a clear business idea and you need support bring it to life
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You can commit 4-5 hours a week to focus on your business goals.
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You’re from any background, but we particularly encourage applications from those who are not currently in education, employment, or training
Programme Breakdown
LEARN
(Months 1-3)
In your first three months, you’ll roll up your sleeves and put your idea to the test. With 1:1 coaching and expert-led workshops, we’ll help you spot the problem you want to solve, test your assumptions, and see if your idea has what it takes to fly.
GROW
(Months 3-6)
Now it’s time to put your plans into action. These months are about gaining clarity, understanding your risk appetite, and shaping a realistic plan to move forward with confidence in your entrepreneurship journey. You’ll work with your coach to choose the path that fits you best, whether that’s jumping into full-time entrepreneurship or using a job as your first investor. You’ll also prep for the Demo Day, your moment to showcase your journey, pitch for seed funding, and celebrate your growth with the BLP community.
SCALE
(Months 6-9)
Take your business further than ever before. Scale your venture with guidance from your coach, tap into alumni sessions, network with previous cohorts, and make the most of every resource at your fingertips. This is your moment to grow, connect, and shine.
Choosing the right track
With the support of our coaches, you’ll explore which pathway is best suited to your goals, your appetite for risk, and the stage of your business idea. Whether you choose full-time entrepreneurship or a job as your first investor, each option is a powerful step toward independence. Both routes are equally celebrated at BLP.
Founder Track
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For ideas that are already gaining momentum, with customers, revenue, or funding in place.
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Get access to personalised coaching, expert mentorship, and essential start-up support across legal, finance, and marketing.
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Join a thriving alumni community, enjoy funding referrals, and make the most of co-working space at Tooting Works.
Hustler Track
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For ideas that need time to grow or for those wanting steady income while building their business.
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Secure part-time, full-time, or freelance work to support yourself as you grow your venture on the side.
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Benefit from employability coaching, work placements, and freelance gigs to boost your skills and income.
Demo Day Event
At Demo Day, you’ll have the chance to pitch your idea and win £5,000 in seed funding to kickstart your journey.
For founders, this funding can cover crucial early-stage expenses like product development, marketing, or hiring, helping you accelerate your business launch. For hustlers, the prize is your chance to invest in yourself by funding a course, learning new skills, and giving you the freedom to scale your idea at your own pace. It’s a powerful opportunity to gain not just funding, but also exposure and support to move your dream forward.
What You’ll Learn
This isn’t just about business plans and spreadsheets. It’s about making your idea work in the real world. Here’s a taste of what we cover:
Think like a founder
Build the mindset to lead your business
Marketing that works
Learn to attract attention and grow a waitlist and customers
Pitching
Craft your story and learn how to deliver it with confidence
Finding your people
Understand who your customer is and what they need
Validating your idea
Test it, tweak it, and try again
Digital tools
Use what’s out there to help you build smarter, not harder
Shaping your offer
Get clear on what you're selling and why it matters
Business Finances
Build simple budgets, price with purpose, and explore funding
Employability skills
Whether you launch or pivot, you’ll leave more confident
Digital Skills to Grow Your Business and Earn from Tech
As part of the Digital Skills section of the Pathways programme, you’ll learn how to use powerful digital tools that can help you run your own business more effectively. But that’s not all, you’ll also be shown how to turn these skills into freelance services you can offer to entrepreneurs and small businesses. This means you can make money while building your business, or even kickstart a career in tech or digital services.
What You’ll Learn and How You Can Use It:
WordPress
Create and launch your first business website or landing page to showcase your idea and attract early customers.
Sourceful
Find sustainable suppliers and packaging solutions to test and refine your product before scaling.
Figma
Design and prototype your business ideas, app interfaces, or marketing materials before paying for full development.
Google Drive
Organise your business documents, track budgets, collaborate with your team, and store important startup files securely.
Canva
Design professional-looking brand assets, pitch decks, and social media content to promote your business affordably.
Trello
Plan your business launch, manage tasks, and stay organised while tracking your progress and goals.
Placeit
Create mockups, logo demos, and promotional visuals to test how your brand will look to potential customers.
Stripe Payment Gateway
Set up simple online payments and start accepting funds from your first customers or clients with ease.
What’s included in the Pathways programme
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£6,000 seed-fund to help for pitch winners build a minimum viable product (MVP) or take their next big step.
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Nine months of one-to-one coaching (worth £3,600) providing personalised guidance from experienced business coaches who help you turn your idea into action.
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Digital skills training (worth £4,800) through practical workshops that strengthen your online presence, marketing, and tech skills.
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Access to paid opportunities, including placements, apprenticeships, and freelance work at the London Living Wage, giving you real experience in your chosen industry.
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Community and network connections with like-minded young entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry experts who will support and inspire you.
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Workspace and event access at Tooting Works, including free coworking (worth £1,979.91), subsidised event space (£280), meeting rooms (£45), and virtual tenancy (£306), helping you work and meet clients professionally.
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Enterprise Kitchen access (worth £1,800) for food-based entrepreneurs ready to move from home kitchens to commercial production.
Total value: over £18,810 in tailored support, guidance, and opportunities designed to help you succeed.
Meet the Team Behind It
Obed
Founder - focused, helps you think like a leader
Caroline
Campaigns and marketing magic
Full Team
Supporting you through pitch prep and celebration
The programme is delivered by a supportive crew of facilitators, creatives, coaches and founders who know what it’s like to start from scratch. You'll meet people like: