Virgin StartUp set to back next wave of dyslexic entrepreneurs
Virgin StartUp opens applications for Momentum 2.0, the next round of its free-of-charge, first-of-a-kind accelerator programme designed to help dyslexic entrepreneurs scale their businesses The post Virgin StartUp set to back next wave of dyslexic entrepreneurs appeared first on Elite Business Magazine.
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The free eight-week accelerator will be offering workshops, 1:1 mentoring and resources designed to enhance Dyslexic Thinking strengths.
Founded in 2013 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin StartUp helps early-stage founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about by providing them with business advice, access to funding, mentoring, training and more, including scale-up and investment readiness programmes.
As a national Business Support Partner of the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans Scheme, Virgin StartUp provides access to funding between £500 – £25,000 to help founders start or scale early-stage businesses in the UK. Since launch Virgin StartUp has distributed more than £90 million to 7,000 early-stage founders around the country.
Meanwhile, analysis from Made By Dyslexia highlights the impact of dyslexic entrepreneurs, contributing at least £4.6bn to UK GDP every year and supporting more than 60,000 jobs. Noteworthy too is that an estimated one in three entrepreneurs are dyslexic.
Elle Upshall, Scale Up Lead at Virgin StartUp, said: “The response to Momentum has been huge so we’re excited to offer dyslexic entrepreneurs the opportunity to join our second cohort. This accelerator has shown just how powerful Dyslexic Thinking can be when it’s properly supported. We’ve seen founders unlock new levels of confidence and turn big ideas into real progress. Momentum was designed to back a different way of thinking, and with this next round, we can’t wait to support even more entrepreneurs to lean into their strengths, scale their businesses and build something brilliant in their own way.”
The first Momentum cohort saw founders from a wide range of sectors using the programme to refine their strategies, build confidence in their unique ways of thinking and boost business growth, demonstrating the real-world impact of designing business support around Dyslexic Thinking.
Alex Molokwu, founder of Loujo, an initiative that helps dyslexic children overcome reading and writing challenges through educational songs, took part in Momentum last year and says it helped him make the most of how he naturally thinks.
He said: “My mentor has been invaluable. She’s helped me focus my Dyslexic Thinking so I can articulate my ideas clearly and turn them into actionable strategy. Momentum has been key in unlocking my strengths and using them to connect the dots to achieve the bigger picture. I hope to transform the learning experience so every dyslexic child can reach their full potential with joy and confidence.”
Kate Griggs, dyslexic social entrepreneur and Founder of global charity Made By Dyslexia said:
“Entrepreneurs are the engine of the British economy – and Dyslexic Thinking powers at least one in three of them. To unlock growth and innovation, the UK has never needed Dyslexic Thinking more.
“This campaign is about inspiring the next generation of dyslexic entrepreneurs – and showing how Dyslexic Thinkers can build the businesses of tomorrow.”
By supporting dyslexic founders to scale their businesses, Momentum aims to fuel job creation, spark new ideas and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs across the UK.
Applications for Momentum 2.0 close on 8 May 2026, with the programme running from 26 May to 14 July 2026.
For more information about Dyslexic Entrepreneurship visit Virgin StartUp’s Momentum Programme.
Also, Virgin StartUp Community online platform.
The post Virgin StartUp set to back next wave of dyslexic entrepreneurs appeared first on Elite Business Magazine.
