Kaleidoscope Investments

Kaleidoscope was founded by Hardeep Rai; a veteran venture capitalist. He set up the service after meeting disabled businessman Shane Bratby in 2014. Shane runs Disabled Entrepreneurs, a website for those who want to start their own business.

Kaleidoscope (Ki) was formed by a group of venture capitalists. The programme is aimed at giving financial backing to help disabled entrepreneurs in the UK start their own business. The fund will assist in the development of the businesses it invests in and ensure they make a worthwhile return for investors.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) denote that out of a potential workforce of nearly 30 million people in the UK, 12% are disabled. However, employment levels for people with disabilities are low. Figures from 2012 show 46% of disabled people in employment, compared to 76% of non-disabled.

With one in five people in the UK having disabilities or special needs, the majority of them have difficulties in starting their own business or raising further investment. The majority of disabled people wishing to start their own business find it extremely difficult. This could be put down to a lack of confidence and attention for disabled entrepreneurs in the marketplace and scepticism of investors. Kaleidoscope provides investment, business advice, mentors and an infrastructure around the entrepreneur throughout the duration of their business lifecycle.

The statistics show that when it comes to business, disabled people are less likely to start their own businesses because many investors do not feel confident about their capabilities even if the business idea of a disabled person may be interesting and profitable.

Kaleidoscope mentors provide advice and guidance specifically tailored to an applicant’s health problems and their business in order to help ensure they achieve success. Kaleidoscope also holds regular business events around the UK. There will be a series of regular meetings which investees can attend. This will include a quarterly meeting where Kaleidoscope will discuss everyone's business, share connections, and offer advice as a collective.

Ki can invest between £10,000 - £250,000 into the businesses that it selects.​

Investment will typically be in return for a small negotiable equity stake but Ki is open to discussing alternative investment instruments, eg a Convertible Loan.

Grants of up to £10,000 can also be offered for not for profit / social enterprises through its charity: The Kaleidoscope Foundation

This is a rolling programme.

Applications for assistance may be submitted at any time.

Further advice and assistance with submitting an application may be sought directly from Kaleidoscope Investments.

Anyone who has a disability or special need who wishes to start up in business, and those who have a business directly linked to the disability or special need sector in the UK may apply.