Start your mission-led business at Zinc
Zinc provides you with a tried and tested platform for creating your new business which spans two phases. If you are a Mission Area Expert or Business or Technical Leader, then Zinc’s Start-up Route is designed to help you build an ambitious new business from scratch.
Apply to join the next cohort full-time in January 2025 on a mission to improve the health of people and the planet.
Phase 1: Create your new business
To create your new business, Zinc provides you with:
Cash
We offer a £13,200 stipend to each founder for six months (£26,400 for a typical team of two founders)
Co-Founders
You’ll get access to a curated group of potential co-founders, who are all ready to start a new business in environment and health missions
Expertise
We provide support from the Zinc team and 100+ Visiting Fellows, who are experts in science, domain, technology, business, funding, marketing.
Venture-Building Platform
Zinc offers ongoing access to the processes, content, people and partnerships you need to build your business.
Cohort and Community
You’ll join a cohort of 50 founders all building new businesses in lock step with you, plus engagement with Zinc’s wider community of portfolio companies, partners and community members.
Personal Development
Zinc has curated a network of qualified and trained executive coaches to support founders on their personal journey.
Phase 2: Launch your venture with Zinc’s investment
After 4-6 months, when you’ve created your new business and you have conviction in an ambitious vision for solving an important problem in health or environment, we will have the opportunity to invest in your new venture.
If we share your conviction in the vision and the team, we will back the launch of your new business with both capital and support:
Capital
Zinc will invest up to £300,000 in your business, comprising:
– £150,000 initial investment
– £150,000 follow-on investment in your next funding round
Expertise
Customised programme of support from the Zinc team and 100+ Visiting Fellows, who are experts in science, domain, technology, business, funding, marketing.
Personal & Team Development
Executive coaching on your personal and team journeys from our network of qualified and trained executive coaches.
Cohort & Community
Support of an immediate cohort of around 15 ventures all building new businesses in lock step with you, plus engagement with Zinc’s wider community of portfolio companies, partners and 25,000 community members.
Fundraising
We work with you to build an action plan and collaboration to raise funds through investment, grants and revenue.
Venture-Building Platform
Zinc offers ongoing access to the processes, content, people and partnerships you need to build, launch and scale your business.
Ready to Apply?
Our application process is simple. Fill out the short application form to share some information with us about your mission, experience and plans, and our talent team will be in touch to discuss your entrepreneurial journey and next steps with Zinc.
