Driving innovation
Entrepreneurship isn’t just a value at Gate One—it’s how we work. Through the Gate One Incubator, our consultants create and grow their own start-ups. Few consultancies put their money where their mouth is like this.
Starting a business tests creativity, leadership and grit. And the experience of ownership sparks a passion like nothing else. These qualities don’t just shape great entrepreneurs—they make our consultants exceptional problem-solvers. We face each business challenge with fresh thinking, creativity and a drive to find the best possible solution.
And we don’t stop there. We can deploy our Incubator Toolkit to help solve your biggest organisational challenges. Or we can go a step further and use the full Incubator to build something entirely new with you.
Empowering our team
The Gate One Incubator supports our team to become founder-investors in a growing portfolio of start-ups. Our initial gates of START and GROW are designed to help new businesses get off the ground and reach the next level.
START: Turning ideas into reality
START is a comprehensive, hands-on accelerator designed to transform your concept into a market-ready Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in 12 weeks. We offer the support, structure and funding you need to build something special.
What you get
- Initial funding to get your business off the ground.
- Expert mentoring from seasoned entrepreneurs and consultants, both in-person and online.
- Workshops on refining your business model, conducting market research and creating a compelling value proposition.
- Networking opportunities with peers, industry leaders, and potential investors.The skills you’ll develop launching your own business—strategic thinking, problem-solving, creativity—are highly transferable to consulting. Whether you want to disrupt an industry or pivot your career, START gives you the tools and connections to make that happen.
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GROW: Scaling your business
Once your start-up is up and running, GROW helps you take it to the next level. This initiative gives you the tailored support you need to refine your product, expand your market reach, or scale your operations.
What you get
- One-on-one coaching sessions tailored to your growth needs.
- Regular check-ins to keep you on track and accountable.
- Exclusive events to showcase your venture within our consultancy and beyond.
You’ll also have access to curated events where you can present your business to potential partners, investors and clients—boosting your visibility and connections.
The GROW programme is the perfect resource for entrepreneurs looking to solidify their market position and accelerate their business growth.
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Connecting
Gate One sits at the intersection of start-ups and corporates—we have strong insights into the challenges of both sides and the solutions that make a difference. Our Incubator connects start-ups with corporates through two gates: MATCH and INVEST.
MATCH: Connecting start-ups and corporates
MATCH is where innovation meets opportunity. We connect promising start-ups with our established consulting clients, creating an exchange of fresh ideas and expertise.
For start-ups, MATCH allows them to test their products in a corporate setting—gaining experience navigating the complexities of new markets and expanding their business horizons.
Meanwhile, our corporate clients get a first look at emerging trends and cutting-edge innovations. This gives them a competitive edge in the market, as well as potential investment opportunities.
MATCH is more than networking, it creates strategic partnerships and transformative business relationships.
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INVEST: Funding impactful ventures
Through our People and Planet Ventures, INVEST supports start-ups making a real impact on society and the environment. We provide strategic funding to help these businesses scale and grow their social footprint. Our focus is on ventures that offer both financial returns and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Start-ups in INVEST not only receive funding but also expert guidance on sustainable business practices, social impact measurement, and access to a network of impact investors and industry leaders. This support helps them to hone strategies, improve operational efficiency, and turn bold ideas into thriving, purpose-driven businesses.
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Meet some of our businesses
Tash Grossman
“The support that Gate One, specifically, The Incubator, gave me when starting my business was incredible. I learnt the basic principles of building a business, whilst surrounded by other like-minded entrepreneurs, which was the perfect recipe to foster a culture of innovation and give me the boost and confidence to start working on Slip full-time.”
Michael Goulden
“Well, first of all I must say that the broader Gate One played a really important role in helping me get started because I was able to take on a consultancy role that only required four days a week. That meant I could get things moving with Kerbo Charge in my spare day. Those were great days! Then the Incubator gave me some initial funds to help develop the brand and product, and there was a brilliant community as always to bounce ideas with -very important when you’re on your own at an early stage.”
Sam Moss
“It (the Incubator) was hugely influential in us being able to start STOCKED. The team was so supportive and understanding of my commitments to STOCKED as well as Gate One. They supported us the whole way through with advice and support as well as being flexible when it came time for me to spend more time on STOCKED, allowing me to go part time and eventually on sabbatical.”
Ali Burton
“The Incubator is the cheeky kid in the classroom – distracted, challenging and thinking differently to everyone else. It has provided me with inspiration and opportunities to be creative with business ideas. This has led to starting my own business with Catch and has definitely shaped the way I consult with our clients.”
Incubator impact
The Gate One Incubator allows us to share our knowledge, ideas and entrepreneurial passion with the next generation of start-up founders. We love collaborating with other organisations, supporting young careers and using our expertise to solve real-world problems.
Jesus College Entrepreneurs Network | JEN-z Venture Forge competition
“A huge thank you to Pamela Walker (2002, DPhil Psychology) for expertly chairing the competition final and for facilitating access to our student entrepreneurs and JEN members through the Gate One Entrepreneur Accelerator Portal.”
Meet some of our team
Pamela is a life sciences value creation, strategic growth and acquisition advisory specialist focused on delivering impressive outcomes for businesses, their employees and their customers. She has a PhD in medical sciences and an executive MBA (both from the University of Oxford). Her career spans drug development, strategy and management consulting within the global healthcare and pharmaceutical arenas.
James is the Gate One US lead, responsible for recruitment, strategy, business development and operations. James specialises in large-scale IT-enabled change and enterprise portfolio management. He has delivered complex transformation programs across multiple industries. Most recently, James was program director for digital transformation at the UK’s largest grocer.
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Currently inflight businesses
