AccessAble Ignite Award
Supporting a disabled entrepreneur to realise their business ambitions
About AccessAble Ignite Award
“On 10th May 2025, AccessAble will celebrate a major milestone - our 25th anniversary. For a quarter of a century, we’ve been dedicated to improving accessibility, helping disabled people to access spaces and places with dignity.
To mark this special occasion, I’m thrilled to announce the AccessAble Ignite Award. An innovative grant and mentorship programme which aims to support a disabled entrepreneur to realise their business ambitions, igniting their ideas and talents with funding and support. Open to any disabled person with an innovative idea to create or grow their business and the drive to make it happen.
The AccessAble Ignite Award offers a £25,000 monetary prize and 25 hours of mentorship from AccessAble’s senior leadership team over the course of 12 months.
As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of being a disabled entrepreneur, I know how hard it can be to find the right resources and support to grow a business.
Almost 25 years ago, with no background in business, I was just a young disabled person with a vision: to improve the lives of millions of disabled people. An unsecured £25,000 loan was the seed money that transformed my dream into reality. Today, AccessAble serves 6 million disabled people a year, supports over 500 clients, and provides employment to more than 100 people.
Disabled entrepreneurs face significant barriers, especially when seeking funding. The immense potential and talent they possess is frequently overlooked by potential investors. I was fortunate enough to receive the support needed to overcome these obstacles. Now, I want to support the next generation of disabled entrepreneurs. The AccessAble Ignite Award will not only provide a £25,000 grant, but 25 hours of personalised mentorship from AccessAble’s senior leadership team over the span of 12 months.
We are looking for individuals who possess a compelling business idea and the passion and drive to see it through. Our goal is to empower the next generation of disabled entrepreneurs, helping them to live their dreams and make the impossible happen.”
Dr. Gregory Burke
Founder and Executive Chair, AccessAble
Other information
Who can apply?
The Award is open to disabled applicants over the age of 18. We use the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability, which includes long-term mental and physical health conditions.
You must own at least 50% of the business or be committed to starting your own business with at least 50% ownership.
The Award is only for use in a profit-making company registered in the UK.
Your company must either be already registered with Companies House or committed to completing the registration process during the application. As the award is focused on businesses, charities and community interest companies are not eligible.
A panel of disabled entrepreneurs and industry experts will review all applications and compile a shortlist of candidates who will be invited for an interview. The winner and two runners up will be announced at a celebratory event on 9th May 2025. The two runners up will be offered 10 hours of mentorship each.
How do I apply?
The Award will be open for submissions from Thursday 2nd January 2025 until Monday 10th March 2025 at 17:00 GMT.
If you would like to apply, or find out more, please get in touch with us to request an application pack. We can send the pack by email or post, we also welcome requests for the pack to be sent in alternative formats. AccessAble is committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the application and interview process.
You can contact us by email, telephone, text or post as detailed below.
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 01438 842 710
Text: 07897 032 494
By post:
AccessAble
18-20 High Street
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 3EJ
Wishing the very best of luck to all applicants!