SHIFT Open Finance and consulting firm Woodhurst have opened applications for the 2026 cohort of the Ignite Incubator, inviting ambitious fintech and regtech founders to apply ahead of the 31 January 2026 deadline.
Ignite is a highly selective programme, choosing just one founder per cycle. The selected founder will receive up to £40,000 in cash investment alongside three to six months of intensive, hands-on support designed to turn high-potential ideas into commercially viable financial-services businesses.
Unlike traditional incubators, Ignite is built for founders seeking deep, day-to-day involvement rather than light-touch mentoring. The programme operates as an embedded extension of the founding team, providing daily operational and strategic input to help founders validate problems, refine propositions, form key partnerships and build early momentum at speed.
“We’ve had a fantastic response already, which reinforces that founders are hungry for practical support and meaningful industry access,” says Clara Balon, Head of SHIFT and Ignite Incubator Lead. “But there is still time to apply. We’re looking for one exceptional founder who is tackling a real, valuable problem in financial services, and who is ready to move fast.”
The incubator sits at the heart of the SHIFT Open Finance Community, a network of more than 300 fintech innovators, and is supported by Woodhurst’s extensive experience delivering transformation across the UK financial-services sector. Together, the partners offer founders direct access to investors, banks, technology providers and senior decision-makers shaping the future of financial services.
Mentorship from proven fintech operators
Founders benefit from close collaboration with a group of experienced fintech operators and advisors, including:
- Oliver Parsons – Head of Ecosystems, Customer Propositions at Lloyds Banking Group
- Helene Panzarino – Creator of a global scale-up accelerator and advisor to fintech start-ups and scale-ups
- James Varga – Former founder of DirectID and fintech scale-up advisor
- Tamara Kostova – Exited founder and member of the Forbes Business Council
- Nicholas Heller – Serial entrepreneur with two exits and 30 years’ leadership and investment experience
- Lucy Viggers – Fintech angel investor and board director focused on early-stage insurtech, lending and payments
The mentor group brings expertise across proposition design, customer validation, enterprise partnerships, go-to-market strategy and investor readiness.
Proven outcomes from previous cohorts
The impact of the Ignite programme is reflected in the success of earlier participants:
- Credit Canary – A credit decision platform now working with credit unions nationwide after securing £600k in pre-seed funding
- Money Squirrel – A savings automation platform for SMEs and accountants, which has raised £185k pre-seed and is progressing through its seed round
- LendView – A platform simplifying loan origination and servicing for property and construction lenders, now adopted by early UK clients
Reflecting on her experience, Andreea Daly, Founder of Money Squirrel, says:
“The Ignite programme was exactly what we needed when we needed it. It was tailored to what would have the most impact, and it truly accelerated our growth. It opened doors to conversations I would have never had access to.”
Open to early-stage founders
Ignite welcomes applications from founders aged 18 and over, particularly those at idea, pre-seed or seed stage. A fully built product or established revenue is not required. The programme is designed to help founders validate genuine customer problems, sharpen their propositions and accelerate towards early traction.
What the selected founder receives
The 2026 Ignite founder will receive:
- Tailored, hands-on support including market-fit validation, lean solution design and go-to-market planning
- Daily operational and strategic input as an embedded extension of the founding team
- Strategic partnerships through SHIFT’s community and Woodhurst’s industry network
- Practical infrastructure support, including a cash injection, co-working space and technology resources
- Visibility and advocacy through curated introductions and exposure across SHIFT channels
Next steps
Following the application deadline, shortlisted founders will be invited to a working session with the Ignite team to assess fit, refine ideas and identify the fastest route to traction. One founder will be selected for the 2026 cohort, with ongoing support offered to other high-potential applicants where possible.
Applications are now open and close on 31 January 2026.
Applications & Further Information
Apply: https://www.f6s.com/ignite-fintech-incubator-4/apply
Learn more: https://www.f6s.com/ignite-incubator-application
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