This year’s edition of the programme is now open for sign-ups on Foundervine’s website, with workshops starting from the 9th of April 2025.

Previous research conducted by Wray & Nephew has found that almost seven in 10 (68%) Black entrepreneurs revealed there are not enough business tools and resources available to Black entrepreneurs, and three-quarters (76%) state they would have found business success much quicker if these tools had been accessible. Recognising the need for change, the Wray Forward initiative was launched in December 2021 to break down these barriers.

Over the past three years, the Wray Forward programme has supported over 3,800 entrepreneurs, provided £20,000 in grants, facilitated over 200 hours of free learning and represented over 24 industries. All with the aim of creating a system that encourages participants to return to the programme each year, regardless of the stage of their business growth.

In recent years, Wray Forward has also focused on celebrating its community, with initiatives like ‘Wray Forward Powerbook’; a list that spotlights 25 Black and Mixed-Black business owners transforming the norms of enterprise in the UK. Set to return for 2025, the list is curated by a panel of  independent judges after a competitive selection process of Wray Forward programme participants, and it covers a diverse range of sectors, backgrounds, business size and location.

One in five (20%) of Black business owners have struggled to raise funds, and as a result, Wray Forward has made its primary objective of 2025 to increase access to funding for Black founders.

Black business owners are six times more likely to believe their race has negatively impacted their efforts in kickstarting a business compared to their white counterparts (22% vs 3%). Over three-quarters (73%) of Black business owners have found raising funds to kickstart their business challenging, compared to just 46% of their non-Black counterparts.

Izzy Obeng, Co-Founder of Foundervine, said: "At Foundervine, we've supported over 1000+ businesses since 2018 – and we're just getting started. Through our partnership with Wray & Nephew and the Wray Forward programme, we're empowering Black founders to break barriers and build thriving businesses. In 2025, we're creating a global network of Wray Forward communities – self-led, powerful, and driven by founders who are reshaping the world."

The figures also reveal three-quarters (77%) of Black business owners lack the confidence to take their business to the next level, and are over twice more likely than their white counterparts to struggle with understanding structuring (25% vs. 10%) and accessing mentorship (23% vs. 8%), further compounding the challenges that Black business owners face.

Gbemi Sitta, Director at SweetDoughThings and Wray Forward member, said: "Wray Forward has been an incredible experience. The mentorship, funding opportunities, and networking have given my business real momentum. It’s more than just a programme – it’s a community that genuinely supports Black and minority entrepreneurs, and I’m grateful to be part of it."

In addition to the free-to-access expert-led workshops, the programme features other elements to support Black business owners, including:

• Roundtable: an in-depth roundtable discussion covering a range of challenges in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating actionable solutions to be shared with a wider audience
• Networking Events: curated gatherings where entrepreneurs can come together to exchange ideas and form connections with investors, peers and experts. Facilitating interactions designed to spark growth and move their business forward
• Pitch Nights: six remarkable founders will be selected within three sessions and have the opportunity to pitch their inspiring ideas and growing businesses. Nine selected winners will have the chance to secure a prize of £3,000, £1,500, or £500. Full terms and conditions to follow
• Wray Forward Powerbook: Wray & Nephew’s list of 25 successful growing Black-owned businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them

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