The Future Founders Programme 2026, delivered in partnership with Huckletree, has once again provided a space for Founders to develop and refine early-stage business ideas within a supportive and entrepreneurial environment.
Over the course of the programme, founders progressed from initial concept development through to structured business modelling, customer validation and pitch preparation. Through a series of practical workshops and mentoring sessions, they were encouraged to critically assess their ideas, challenge assumptions and build with clear value propositions and commercial viability.
A key strength of the programme was its focus on practical learning. Sessions were designed to move beyond theory, enabling founders to actively develop their own ventures while receiving valuable feedback from experienced founders and industry experts, including Jemma Wong (CGO at Tem), Natalia Loza (Founder of Connected.Ventures), Yvonne Bajela (Partner at LocalGlobe), In Ottman (Legal Director at Huckletree), Gabbi Cahane (Partner at Stride.VC), Dayo Koleowo (Investor and Partner at Microtraction) and Huntley Gordon (Brand and Strategy Advisor). This approach helped participants build confidence not only in their ideas, but in their ability to communicate them effectively.
Throughout the programme, they also benefited from tailored one-to-one support with Gabriela Hersham (CEO and Co-founder of Huckletree) and Julien Callede (Co-founder of MADE.COM), providing personalised guidance aligned to their individual business challenges. This combination of structured learning and targeted mentoring created a well-rounded experience that supported both personal and venture development.
Founders’ feedback highlights the impact of the programme on both individual development and the wider cohort experience. One founder shared:
‘I came to the programme with zero entrepreneurial or finance experience and left with a solid understanding of how to build and pitch a start-up. It was a significant investment of time and effort, but I would do it all over again.’
Another founder reflected on the value of the community:
‘Being surrounded by other entrepreneurs made a huge difference, the energy, mindset, and support from the cohort was incredibly valuable. It was a truly meaningful experience.’
The programme concluded in an investor style Pitch Day, where founders presented their ventures to a panel of experienced Founders, including Bejay Mulenga (Founder of Supa Network), Ed William Smith (Founder & CEO Candy Kittens) and Isabelle O’Keeffe (Early-Stage Tech Investor). The standard of pitches reflected the progress made across the cohort, with participants demonstrating increased clarity, confidence and commercial awareness. Panel feedback provided valuable insights, helping founders identify their next steps and areas for growth.
Beyond the programme itself, participants were awarded a six-month membership with Huckletree, giving them continued access to a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, workspace, and network of founders and collaborators.
The Future Founders Programme continues to play an important role in supporting entrepreneurial ambition at Regent’s, equipping students with the skills, mindset and confidence to take their ideas forward. We look forward to seeing the founders continue to develop their ventures beyond the programme.