Sky partnership with BEO
June 20, 2022
Sky has announced a £1 million partnership with newly launched civil rights group, the Black Equity Organisation (BEO), to deliver the Future 100 Growth Fund, backing Black British entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses.
As BEO’s first official programme partner, Sky will provide funding and support over three years to help overcome the significant barriers faced by young Black entrepreneurs in Britain when setting up businesses.
Sky’s Group CEO, Dana Strong, commented: “At Sky we want to share our platform and capability to create lasting change for Black British entrepreneurs. We are pleased to be working with BEO to provide direct assistance and advice from Sky to help make the UK a great place for Black businesses.”
Chair of Trustees of BEO, Dame Vivian Hunt, added: “Together with Sky, BEO is super excited to announce a multi-year partnership that will support Black entrepreneurs and positively impact their businesses. The Future 100 Growth Fund will back the next generation of Black founders to thrive and succeed. We can’t wait to see what the applicants achieve through this programme as they drive growth across their businesses and for the UK economy.”
BEO’s partnership with Sky began in 2021. The Future 100 Growth Fund is a key part of the Sky’s £30 million commitment to tackle structural inequality and make a difference in communities impacted by racism.
The Future 100 Growth Fund will:
- Offer funding of up to £15,000 for the most innovative new business ideas and exciting existing companies.
- Create a network of mentors and community organisations to advise and assist new enterprises through direct financial support and products nurturing talent and innovation.
- Support Black founders and entrepreneurs with relevant knowledge and skills, and social capital.
- Provide access for Black entrepreneurs to supply chain, connections and insight from a large corporate.
- Conduct new research into what works in overcoming barriers faced by Black British entrepreneurs, to encourage investment in future programmes and create models for supporting Black founders in British business.
- Work to diversify Sky’s own supply chains and create greater opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The programme is open to applicants between 18 and 30 years old of Black African, Black Caribbean, Black British and/or Mixed-race descent who are UK residents. The fund will support Black entrepreneurs who are looking to bring a business concept to life, have a fledgling business that they want to scale, or have the beginnings of a thriving business.