Frequently Asked Questions

Your business needs to be at:

✅ pre-seed stage (where you have an MVP already launched / imminently launching / well fleshed out), or

✅ seed stage (where you have a product in market with some traction)

If you're a concept stage business we recommend checking out our Zero to Launch Accelerator to help you get to MVP in 9 weeks.

https://www.hivefounders.net/zero-to-launch-accelerator

That's totally fine! Many founders who join the accelerator have already started fundraising! Many have even raised some funding (a typical amount is between 15-30% of their rounds). Even founders who have raised before or have had some traction in their current raise found the accelerator to be transformative!

We are so confident that you'll be able to successfully close that we defer the bulk of our fees until after you successfully raise.

If you do not raise within 24 months of graduating you do not owe us the deferred fees.

Our fees are split into two parts:

1. Pre-Funding (at the time of the accelerator) - $1200 (£1000) paid in two installments (50% deposit, 50% halfway through the accelerator) - this is designed to be gentle on cash flow when funds are tight

2. Post-Funding (after you close your funding round) -

3% of raise amount, deferred until 14 days after you close

Please note that for US businesses, we charge a flat fee:

• Pre-Seed (have not raised any investment before): £14K ($17.6)

• Seed (have raised before from Angels, Friends & Family, Family Offices, CVCs or VCs): £29K ($36.5K)

We do not take any equity! Equity is your most precious resource so we recommend holding on to it as much as possible!

You'll need to commit at least three hours per week for 8 weeks.

We've designed the program to fit around you running your business. So you'll book calls with your mentor at a time that suits you both. Group calls are held at times that work for both US and UK (and if you miss a call, you can catch up on the replay).

Most of our founders tell us that the 8 weeks flies by and they wish they could spend longer with us!

Every cohort is a little different but we typically include sessions on:

Anatomy of a Pitch Deck

Valuations & Value Creation Drivers

Cap Tables

Share Options

Early Stage Planning

Growth & Sales

Go-To-Market Strategy

The Investor View - Angels

The Investor View - VCs

Managing the Investment Process

Data Room

And much more!

Yes, potentially if you are quick!

If you apply after the deadline, your application will get tagged and we'll still review it. Depending on when we receive it (i.e. how long after the closing date), we'll get in touch with you to discuss either joining the current cohort or joining the next cohort.

You are welcome to bring your female/non-binary co-founder to participate in the program (max. 1 extra person per company). One of you will be the primary team member, so you need to decide in advance who that will be.

If you have a mixed co-founding team, we are happy for you to share what you learn on the Program with your team, but we ask that only you attend the calls and mentoring sessions.

The program is virtual, so you can join from anywhere in the world. We sometimes host in-person events (including a hybrid in-person/virtual demo day) in London but most people (including most investors) attend virtually.

Due to the hands on format of the accelerator, we only accept between 10-20 businesses into each cohort.

Yes! We accept applicants on a rolling basis so apply as early as possible to avoid missing out!

If after the accelerator you decide not to fundraise, you do not owe us the second part of the fee. The fee only applies if you fundraise in the next 24 months.

We are confident you will be in a much better position to close your round after our accelerator. However, if you are unsuccessful in closing your round within 24 months of completing the accelerator, we will waive the 'post funding' fees.

Yes! The virtual format of the accelerator means you can join from anywhere in the world. We've had founders attend (and successfully raise) from across the world, from Australia, through the US, UK, Europe and the Middle East.