Welcome to ICE Propel

What is ICE Propel?

ICE Propel is our coaching and fundraising programme designed to empower founders from underrepresented groups. Building on ICE’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity, Propel provides founders with vital early-stage fundraising guidance and direct access to investors, addressing the critical barrier of capital access.

One of the key barriers to creating a diverse and representative community of founders is access to capital, especially at earlier stages. Many founders raise their seed money from ‘friends and family’, creating fewer opportunities for certain groups within society. Analysis suggests that founders from underrepresented groups can often be underfunded and over mentored.

We believe that ICE can leverage the relationships and talents of those within the network to help create a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem through more accessible access to capital at the earliest stages of a founder’s journey.

Applications for our third programme, focussed on founders who identify as Black/Black mixed race opens on 24 October 2024 & closes on 18 November 2024 at 12noon.

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“ICE Propel is more than just a programme; it's a catalyst for underrepresented founders to thrive in the tech ecosystem. The thoughtful structure, tailored mentorship, invaluable network opportunities, and emphasis on personal well-being collectively make it an unparalleled experience. I am immensely grateful for the growth, insights, and connections I've gained through the programme.”

Tommie EdwardsFounder of Tech1M - ICE Propel Cohort 2024

Benefits of ICE Propel

So far we have run two cohorts with 12 founders. Key results:

6 Founders funded
Excellent cohort feedback (9.4/10 average feedback score)

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How does ICE Propel work?

Access to investor Networks
- Following the coaching programme the Propel founders will be introduced to active angel investors and relevant VC funds. The programme cannot guarantee investment but we aim to put founders in a position of strength through our coaching programme and give them access to active investors, creating new networks.
Join the ICE community
- The ICE propel founders will become part of the ICE network for 12 months, gaining access to our community’s trips, events and content.
Dedicated ICE Mentor for Each Founder
- Each founder will be allocated a mentor from our ICE community, who will be with them on every step of the programme, to guide and support.
The 1:1 Coaching Programme will Focus on These Topics
- Running the fundraising process
- Optimising your Business Plan
- Building your investor pack
- Crafting a killer pitch deck (refinement and storytelling)
- Pitch/presentation training
- Pitch doctor meeting with ICE VCs (preparing for investor questions)
- Legal clinic (Term sheet analysis etc.)
- Introduction to the VC mode
- Mindset and resilience practices