{"id":137363,"date":"2026-03-02T11:18:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T11:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/technation.io\/?post_type=programmes&#038;p=137363"},"modified":"2026-03-30T12:47:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T11:47:34","slug":"route_to_rise_comp","status":"publish","type":"programmes","link":"https:\/\/technation.io\/programmes\/route_to_rise_comp\/","title":{"rendered":"Route To Rise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"page-header-block_ba99de6dca9e55f3a80a269128f2c3f8\" class=\" section page-header-section page-header-text-img-block\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 lg:grid-container-2 \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"l:padding-spacer-top grid-item aligncenter page-header-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-mask-container image-mask-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>  \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LONDON_TECH_WEEK_25_0536-scaled-e1772722754581-1024x868.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LONDON_TECH_WEEK_25_0536-scaled-e1772722754581-1024x868.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LONDON_TECH_WEEK_25_0536-scaled-e1772722754581-1024x868.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LONDON_TECH_WEEK_25_0536-scaled-e1772722754581-300x254.jpg 300w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LONDON_TECH_WEEK_25_0536-scaled-e1772722754581-768x651.jpg 768w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LONDON_TECH_WEEK_25_0536-scaled-e1772722754581-1536x1302.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LONDON_TECH_WEEK_25_0536-scaled-e1772722754581-1920x1627.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LONDON_TECH_WEEK_25_0536-scaled-e1772722754581.jpg 2013w\" class=\"bg-img lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-parent-fit=\"cover\" data-parent-container=\"figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pattern-overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aspect-ratio-1-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-mask-container image-mask-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>  \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-1024x873.png\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-1024x873.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-1024x873.png 1024w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-300x256.png 300w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-768x655.png 768w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE.png 1100w\" class=\"bg-img lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-parent-fit=\"contain\" data-parent-container=\"pattern-overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-col flex-space-between grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lg:padding-left-l lg:padding-right-l padding-x-base padding-top-xl padding-bottom-xl flex flex-col flex-x-align hero-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-top-inner grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 lg:grid-container-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item lg:grid-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"txt-uppercase margin-bottom-base\"><strong>Route to Rise <\/strong><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-row programme-share-btns margin-bottom-base padding-bottom-xs\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                    <a href=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/programmes\/route_to_rise_comp\/\" class=\"sml-text flex flex-row flex-y-align margin-right-m share-btn\" id=\"sharebtn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                    \t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/themes\/base-theme\/assets\/svg\/share-icon.svg\" class=\"margin-right-s\" \/>Share this page<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Where exceptional founders from around the world win the backing, spotlight, and momentum that shapes what comes next.\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"btn-wrap single-btn\">\n        \n<a class=\"btn btn-primary  btn-large\" href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appbxVz0wunn8u0af\/pag0dX85pWQ6cYnl4\/form\" target=\"_blank\">Apply now<\/a>    <\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex hero_bottom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"programme-hero_img-left\">\n\t\t\t\t                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/themes\/base-theme\/assets\/svg\/assets\/Programme_shape.svg\" class=\"bg-img\" >\n\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t                \t\t\t\t                <div class=\"has-brand-background-color programme-hero_img-right\">\n\t\t\t\t                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_ORANGE_LINE-768x655.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"bg-img\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t                \t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t    #page-header-block_ba99de6dca9e55f3a80a269128f2c3f8{\n\t        background: var(--soft-purple);\n\t\t    color: var(--brand);\n\t    }\n\t<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"heading-text-block-block_f4bd7011679746a907e3b143b361d33e\" class=\"section padding-section heading-list-block-section\">\n\t\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 grid m:grid-container-1 lg:grid-container-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-one lg:grid-5 grid-item lg:padding-right-l lg:flex lg:flex-col lg:flex-space-between \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"heading-container \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<h2><strong>What is Route to Rise?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-one lg:grid-7 grid-item lg:padding-left-xxl\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"body-content-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Route to Rise is Tech Nation\u2019s new flagship competition celebrating immigrant founder excellence, culminating in a <\/span><b>live London Tech Week finale<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a chance to secure a <\/span><b>minimum \u00a3100k angel investment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from one of our <\/span><b>star immigrant-founder investors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including <\/span><b>Will Shu (Deliveroo), <\/b><b>Demet Mutlu (Trendyol), <\/b><b>Dmitry Bukhman (Playrix), <\/b><b>Jack Zhang (Airwallex)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\n\t    #heading-text-block-block_f4bd7011679746a907e3b143b361d33e{\n\t        background: var(--bright-red);\n\t        color: var(--brand);\n\t    }\n\n\t    \n\/*\t    .product-dropdowns .selectric .button{background-image: url('data:image\/svg+xml,<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"28.061\" height=\"15.445\" viewBox=\"0 0 28.061 15.445\"><g><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"%23\" stroke-width=\"2px\" d=\"M2278.5 3401l13.323 13.323 13.323-13.323\" transform=\"translate(-1295.97 -769.97) translate(-981.823 -2630.323)\"\/><\/g><\/svg>')}*\/\n\n\t    #heading-text-block-block_f4bd7011679746a907e3b143b361d33e ul li:not([role=presentation]):not(.menu-item):not(.label):not(.label-inactive):not(.selectric-items li):not(.portfolio-tab-trigger li):before{background-image: url('data:image\/svg+xml,<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"36\" height=\"11\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 11\" fill=\"none\"><path id=\"Bullet point \" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M30 0H0V11H30L36 5.92308L30 0Z\" fill=\"%2301232F\"\/><\/svg>')}\n\t<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"calltoation-block_f2bcc78c398f0f5d12ea166f6ef05600\" class=\"section  padding-section call-to-action-section padding-none call-to-action-columned-section\">\n\t\t\n\n\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap padding-none clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"  container-inner\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 md:grid-container-2 lg:grid-container-full grid-xl lg:grid flex-y-align \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item lg:grid-7   padding-left-base  padding-right-base lg:padding-left-xxl lg:padding-right-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lg:grid-5 content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>The Big Picture<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While immigrants make up around 16% of the UK population, they are behind more than half (54%) of the country\u2019s fastest-growing companies, building globally competitive businesses, attracting investment, and creating thousands of jobs across the UK.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\nRoute to Rise is a bold intervention: a high-quality competition that <\/span><b>elevates immigrant contribution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and backs the next generation of exceptional founders building in Britain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After an open application process, <\/span><b>25 standout companies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be shortlisted and announced publicly. Finalists will receive preparation support (including pitch practice and partner credits\/perks), then culminate in a <\/span><b>live London Tech Week finale<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where founders pitch on stage and the winner is celebrated.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section margin-top-base\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"btn-wrap single-btn\">\n        \n<a class=\"btn btn-inv-outline  btn-large\" href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appbxVz0wunn8u0af\/pag0dX85pWQ6cYnl4\/form\" target=\"_blank\">Apply now<\/a>    <\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item aligncenter grid-image lg:grid-5  padding-right-base padding-left-base lg:padding-right-xxl lg:padding-left-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aspect-ratio-1-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-mask-container image-mask-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2026-01-26-at-16.42.37-939x1024.png\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2026-01-26-at-16.42.37-939x1024.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2026-01-26-at-16.42.37-939x1024.png 939w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2026-01-26-at-16.42.37-275x300.png 275w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2026-01-26-at-16.42.37-768x838.png 768w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2026-01-26-at-16.42.37.png 988w\" class=\"bg-img lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-parent-fit=\"cover\" data-parent-container=\"figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t    \t    \t#calltoation-block_f2bcc78c398f0f5d12ea166f6ef05600 {\n\t\t        background: var(--bright-red);\n\t\t\t    color: var(--white);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t    #calltoation-block_f2bcc78c398f0f5d12ea166f6ef05600 .container-inner{\n\t\t    \tbackground: var(--brand);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t     \n\t    \t \n\n\t    \t \n\t    \n\t<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"calltoation-block_dc578e06655014bf2ded883d443b655d\" class=\"section  padding-section call-to-action-section padding-none call-to-action-columned-section\">\n\t\t\n\n\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap padding-none clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"  container-inner\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 md:grid-container-2 lg:grid-container-full grid-xl lg:grid flex-y-align \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item lg:grid-7   padding-left-base  padding-right-base lg:padding-left-xxl lg:padding-right-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lg:grid-5 content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>How it Works<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Founders, here\u2019s the journey in four steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><b>Step 1: Apply<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Submit your application to Route to Rise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Step 2: Evaluation<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> An expert panel reviews applications and selects the <\/span><b>25 shortlisted finalists<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Step 3: Star Judge Selection<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Our <\/span><b>star judges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> review the shortlist and select the founders they want to back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Step 4: London Tech Week Finale<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Finalists demo their products live at London Tech Week<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section margin-top-base\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"btn-wrap single-btn\">\n        \n<a class=\"btn btn-inv-primary  btn-large\" href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appbxVz0wunn8u0af\/pag0dX85pWQ6cYnl4\/form\" target=\"_blank\">Apply now<\/a>    <\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item aligncenter grid-image lg:grid-5  padding-right-base padding-left-base lg:padding-right-xxl lg:padding-left-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aspect-ratio-1-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-mask-container image-mask-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-1024x873.png\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-1024x873.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-1024x873.png 1024w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-300x256.png 300w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE-768x655.png 768w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTR_ICON_BLUE.png 1100w\" class=\"bg-img lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-parent-fit=\"cover\" data-parent-container=\"figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t    \t    \t#calltoation-block_dc578e06655014bf2ded883d443b655d {\n\t\t        background: var(--soft-purple);\n\t\t\t    color: var(--white);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t    #calltoation-block_dc578e06655014bf2ded883d443b655d .container-inner{\n\t\t    \tbackground: var(--brand);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t     \n\t    \t \n\n\t    \t \n\t    \n\t<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"heading-text-block-block_c54cd5dfbbb7eb74c0a9f8e289c9b655\" class=\"padding-section section heading-text-block-section\">\n\t\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 grid md:grid-container-1 lg:grid-container-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-one lg:grid-4 grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<h2><b>Why apply for Route to Rise?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-one lg:grid-8 grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"reveal-text body-content-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udf0d <\/span><b>A flagship London Tech Week moment<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pitch at Europe\u2019s premier technology festival and put your company in front of senior founders, investors, corporates, and policymakers shaping the future of UK tech.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udcb7 <\/span><b>Real investment on the line<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our star judges make an <\/span><b>individual \u00a3100k angel investment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into the finalist they back (via an <\/span><b>ASA with a 15% discount<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udfa4 <\/span><b>Reputation-defining visibility<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A high-profile platform for immigrant-led companies, designed to celebrate founder stories publicly, with significant ecosystem attention around shortlist and finals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83e\udd1d <\/span><b>Practical support to raise your trajectory<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortlisted founders receive preparation support in the run-up (including pitch practice and partner credits\/perks) to sharpen the story and accelerate momentum.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\n\t    #heading-text-block-block_c54cd5dfbbb7eb74c0a9f8e289c9b655{\n\t        background: var(--bright-red);\n\t        color: var(--white);\n\t    }\n\t<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"heroBoxCarousel-block_c2f188681baee6ac69f050afb1e0cf6b\" class=\"section padding-section hero-boxes-section herobox-carousel-section\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"herobox-carousel-inner\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content-wrap margin-bottom-xl\">\n\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap medlg-container clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"txt-l lg:txt-ctr lead-section\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"margin-bottom-m\"><strong>Who can apply for Route to Rise?<br \/>\r\n<\/strong><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-s herobox-grid-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap  clear\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 md:grid-container-2 lg:grid-container-2-equal grid-m hero-grid-two-column herobox-carousel herobox-grid slider-arrow-brand \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<div class=\" herobox-item\">                                                      \n\t\t\t                    \t<div class=\" herobox-item-content\">   \n\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t                        \t                           \n\t\t\t\t\t                        \t<div class=\"lg:padding-top-l padding-base padding-top-l herobox-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Company:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> UK-registered tech company<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t                        \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t                        \t\t\t\t                       <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t               \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<div class=\" herobox-item\">                                                      \n\t\t\t                    \t<div class=\" herobox-item-content\">   \n\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t                        \t                           \n\t\t\t\t\t                        \t<div class=\"lg:padding-top-l padding-base padding-top-l herobox-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Stage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Series A or below, investment-ready and scaling<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t                        \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t                        \t\t\t\t                       <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t               \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<div class=\" herobox-item\">                                                      \n\t\t\t                    \t<div class=\" herobox-item-content\">   \n\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t                        \t                           \n\t\t\t\t\t                        \t<div class=\"lg:padding-top-l padding-base padding-top-l herobox-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Sector:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sector-agnostic, with expected strength in AI, climate, fintech, healthtech, and deep tech<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t                        \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t                        \t\t\t\t                       <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t               \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<div class=\" herobox-item\">                                                      \n\t\t\t                    \t<div class=\" herobox-item-content\">   \n\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t                        \t                           \n\t\t\t\t\t                        \t<div class=\"lg:padding-top-l padding-base padding-top-l herobox-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Focus:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Merit-led: quality, impact, and potential to scale<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t                        \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t                        \t\t\t\t                       <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t               \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t     \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t    #heroBoxCarousel-block_c2f188681baee6ac69f050afb1e0cf6b {\n\t        background: var(--bright-red);\n\t\t    color: var(--white);\n\t    }\n\n\t    \t    \t#heroBoxCarousel-block_c2f188681baee6ac69f050afb1e0cf6b .herobox-item-content{border-color: var(--soft-purple); }\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t    #heroBoxCarousel-block_c2f188681baee6ac69f050afb1e0cf6b .herobox-item{\n\t\t    \tbackground-color: var(--soft-purple); \n\t\t    \tcolor: var(--brand);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t\n\t\t#heroBoxCarousel-block_c2f188681baee6ac69f050afb1e0cf6b .btn-wrap .btn-secondary-dark, #heroBoxCarousel-block_c2f188681baee6ac69f050afb1e0cf6b .btn-wrap .btn-secondary{ background-color: var(--brand); border-color: var(--brand) }\n\t\t#heroBoxCarousel-block_c2f188681baee6ac69f050afb1e0cf6b .btn-wrap .btn-secondary-dark:hover, #heroBoxCarousel-block_c2f188681baee6ac69f050afb1e0cf6b .btn-wrap .btn-secondary:hover{background-color: transparent; color: var(--brand)}\n\t<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"calltoation-block_2453180a9a7a47c12d1c70075b743880\" class=\"section  padding-section call-to-action-section padding-none call-to-action-columned-section\">\n\t\t\n\n\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap padding-none clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"  container-inner\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 md:grid-container-2 lg:grid-container-full grid-xl lg:grid flex-y-align \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item lg:grid-7   padding-left-base  padding-right-base lg:padding-left-xxl lg:padding-right-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lg:grid-5 content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Timeline<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Applications open:<\/strong> February 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Applications close:<\/strong> 31 March 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Shortlisted finalists announced:<\/strong> 25 April 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Pitch practice \/ prep:<\/strong> May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Finalists notified:<\/strong> 25 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Route to Rise Final (live at London Tech Week):<\/strong> 10 June 2026<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section margin-top-base\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"btn-wrap single-btn\">\n        \n<a class=\"btn btn-inv-primary  btn-large\" href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appbxVz0wunn8u0af\/pag0dX85pWQ6cYnl4\/form\" target=\"_blank\">Apply now<\/a>    <\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item aligncenter grid-image lg:grid-5  padding-right-base padding-left-base lg:padding-right-xxl lg:padding-left-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aspect-ratio-1-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-mask-container image-mask-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RisingStars2025_East_132-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RisingStars2025_East_132-1024x683.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RisingStars2025_East_132-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RisingStars2025_East_132-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RisingStars2025_East_132-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RisingStars2025_East_132-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RisingStars2025_East_132-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RisingStars2025_East_132-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" class=\"bg-img lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-parent-fit=\"cover\" data-parent-container=\"figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t    \t    \t#calltoation-block_2453180a9a7a47c12d1c70075b743880 {\n\t\t        background: var(--soft-purple);\n\t\t\t    color: var(--white);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t    #calltoation-block_2453180a9a7a47c12d1c70075b743880 .container-inner{\n\t\t    \tbackground: var(--brand);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t     \n\t    \t \n\n\t    \t \n\t    \n\t<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"calltoation-block_55b32cd962c6fa9337831c4faa213f98\" class=\"section  padding-section call-to-action-section padding-none call-to-action-columned-section\">\n\t\t\n\n\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap padding-none clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"  container-inner\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 md:grid-container-2 lg:grid-container-full grid-xl lg:grid flex-y-align \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item lg:grid-7   padding-left-base  padding-right-base lg:padding-left-xxl lg:padding-right-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lg:grid-5 content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Notable Figures &amp; Voices Involved<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Route to Rise is backed by a panel of the UK\u2019s most successful immigrant-founded tech leaders and operators, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Will Shu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Co-founder, Deliveroo<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Demet Mutlu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Founder &amp; CEO, Trendyol<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Dmitry Bukhman<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Co-founder, Playrix<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Jack Zhang<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Co-founder &amp; CEO, Airwallex<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Husayn Kassai<\/strong> &#8211; Co-Founder &amp; CEO, Onfido<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These individuals help shape the judging, backing, and ethos of the competition.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-item aligncenter grid-image lg:grid-5  padding-right-base padding-left-base lg:padding-right-xxl lg:padding-left-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aspect-ratio-1-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-mask-container image-mask-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RouteToRise-judge-image-website-1-1-1024x887.png\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RouteToRise-judge-image-website-1-1-1024x887.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RouteToRise-judge-image-website-1-1-1024x887.png 1024w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RouteToRise-judge-image-website-1-1-300x260.png 300w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RouteToRise-judge-image-website-1-1-768x666.png 768w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RouteToRise-judge-image-website-1-1-1536x1331.png 1536w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RouteToRise-judge-image-website-1-1-2048x1775.png 2048w, https:\/\/technation.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RouteToRise-judge-image-website-1-1-1920x1664.png 1920w\" class=\"bg-img lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-parent-fit=\"cover\" data-parent-container=\"figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t    \t    \t#calltoation-block_55b32cd962c6fa9337831c4faa213f98 {\n\t\t        background: var(--soft-purple);\n\t\t\t    color: var(--white);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t    #calltoation-block_55b32cd962c6fa9337831c4faa213f98 .container-inner{\n\t\t    \tbackground: var(--brand);\n\t\t    }\n\t\t     \n\t    \t \n\n\t    \t \n\t    \n\t<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"accordionContent-block_b887471d99e87c11c569d0284c6e7266\" class=\"section padding-section accoridon-wrap accordion-section\">\n\t\t<div class=\"page-container common-wrap clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-row-auto grid-container-1 md:grid-container-2 lg:grid-container-full grid lg:padding-bottom-l  accordion-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-item lg:grid-4  flex flex-bottom-align\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-item lg:grid-8\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"margin-bottom-base\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion\">                            \n\t\t\t\t\t                        <div class=\"accordion-item\" >                                     \n                        \t<div class=\"padding-y-base padding-right-xxxxl accordion-title\">\n                        \t\t<h6 class=\"margin-bottom-none\">What will I be evaluated on? What does it take to be selected?<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>                  \n                        \t<div class=\"accordion-content-row\">\n                              \t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n                              \t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re looking for clear evidence of a strong product, differentiation, early traction, a credible founding team, and the potential to scale. If you meet the criteria above, we encourage you to apply.<\/span><\/p>\n                              \t<\/div> \n                       \t\t<\/div>\n                      \t<\/div>\n                  \t                        <div class=\"accordion-item\" >                                     \n                        \t<div class=\"padding-y-base padding-right-xxxxl accordion-title\">\n                        \t\t<h6 class=\"margin-bottom-none\">How does the investment work?<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>                  \n                        \t<div class=\"accordion-content-row\">\n                              \t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n                              \t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Star judges make an <\/span><b>individual \u00a3100k angel investment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> via an Advance Subscription Agreement (ASA) (paid on signing; non-refundable; no interest). The ASA will convert into the same class of shares issued in the Company\u2019s next qualifying priced equity round at a 15% discount to the price per share paid by new investors in that round (no cap).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If no qualifying priced equity round has occurred by the date falling 12 months after signing (the Backstop Date), the ASA will convert automatically on the Backstop Date into the highest class of shares then in issue at (i) the price per share in the Company\u2019s most recent priced equity round (if any), or (ii) if there has been no prior priced equity round, at the price per share implied by a \u00a31.4m pre-money valuation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n                              \t<\/div> \n                       \t\t<\/div>\n                      \t<\/div>\n                  \t                        <div class=\"accordion-item\" >                                     \n                        \t<div class=\"padding-y-base padding-right-xxxxl accordion-title\">\n                        \t\t<h6 class=\"margin-bottom-none\">Do I have to attend London Tech Week in person? <\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>                  \n                        \t<div class=\"accordion-content-row\">\n                              \t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n                              \t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finalists are expected to pitch live at London Tech Week as part of the final showcase.<\/span><\/p>\n                              \t<\/div> \n                       \t\t<\/div>\n                      \t<\/div>\n                  \t                        <div class=\"accordion-item\" >                                     \n                        \t<div class=\"padding-y-base padding-right-xxxxl accordion-title\">\n                        \t\t<h6 class=\"margin-bottom-none\">What kind of support do shortlisted founders receive?<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>                  \n                        \t<div class=\"accordion-content-row\">\n                              \t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n                              \t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortlisted founders will receive preparation support in the run-up (including pitch practice) and access to partner credits\/perks designed to help you move faster.<\/span><\/p>\n                              \t<\/div> \n                       \t\t<\/div>\n                      \t<\/div>\n                  \t                        <div class=\"accordion-item\" >                                     \n                        \t<div class=\"padding-y-base padding-right-xxxxl accordion-title\">\n                        \t\t<h6 class=\"margin-bottom-none\">Who do I contact if I have questions?<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>                  \n                        \t<div class=\"accordion-content-row\">\n                              \t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n                              \t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please contact the team at <\/span><b>teambrent@ff.co<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for eligibility and application support.<\/span><\/p>\n                              \t<\/div> \n                       \t\t<\/div>\n                      \t<\/div>\n                  \t               <\/div>\n\t\t    \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t    #accordionContent-block_b887471d99e87c11c569d0284c6e7266{\n\t        background: var(--soft-purple);\n\t\t    color: var(--brand);\n\t    }\n\n\t    #accordionContent-block_b887471d99e87c11c569d0284c6e7266 .accordion-item{border-color:var(--purplealt);}\n\t    #accordionContent-block_b887471d99e87c11c569d0284c6e7266 .accordion-title:before, #accordionContent-block_b887471d99e87c11c569d0284c6e7266 .accordion-title:after {background-color: var(--purplealt);}\n\n\t    \n\t    @media only screen and (min-width: 992px)  {\n\t\t 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