The Q-Seed

programme

Q-SEED is a ‘by-and-for’ Founder Programme for Black and Global Majority service leaders in the Criminal Justice Space.

programme

Q-seed supports black and global
majority service leaders in the criminal
justice space by increasing access to  
capital, and driving policy reform.
Q-seed supports majority service leaders in the criminal justice space by
increasing access to capital, and driving policy reform.
multiple individuals on a black lives matter march
Driving Policy Reform

If we do not work to secure a seat at the table we will forever be on the menu. Q-SEED aims to disrupt the criminal justice space in order to facilitate change.

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two individuals looking at a desktop
Increasing Access to Capital

Social capital, technical capital, and equity capital are particularly crucial for Black and Global Majority Founders. They are the key pillars for launching, sustaining and driving growth. They are also critical to the success of Black and Global Majority founders delivering services in one of the most maligned and structurally distorted sectors in civil society.

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behind the scenes

Simone James
Simone James
National Director of Inclusion
@
Change Grow Live
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Jake Ferguson
Jake Ferguson
Co-CEO/Founder
@
Black Men 4 Change
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Hadeel Elshak
Hadeel Elshak
Project Assistant
@
FORWARD UK
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Chris Lee
Chris Lee
Director for Strategy and Partnerships
@
Change Grow Live
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Naana Otoo-Oyortey
Naana Otoo-Oyortey
Executive Director
@
FORWARD UK
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Viv Ahmun
Viv Ahmun
Co-CEO/Founder
@
Black Men 4 Change
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The Discovery Group act as advisors to the Q-Seed initiative and are supporting the team to select participants and help shape the programme content.

Dr Sofia Buncy
Dr Sofia Buncy
Director
@
Muslim Women in Prison Project
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Craig Pinkney
Craig Pinkney
CEO/Founder
@
Solve CYVC
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Soraya Adejare
Soraya Adejare
Labour Councillor for Brownswood Unions
@
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Sian Dias
Sian Dias
Director​ of Diversity, Equity and Intersectional
@
We Are Frieda
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Andrea Simon
Andrea Simon
Executive Director
@
End Violence Against Women Coalition Ltd
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Dez Brown
Dez Brown
CEO/Founder
@
Spark2Life
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Heather Abbey
Heather Abbey
Freelance Consultant & LSE MPP Candidate
@
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sponsors & partners
Our Learning Frame
catalyst for innovation and the development of solutions
The intention is for Q-SEED to become a catalyst for innovation and the development of solutions that address and counteract the structural inequalities prevalent within the criminal justice system. We are developing our wireframe for our pilot programme and we will share our learning periodically during the duration of the pilot.

Q-SEED is in a 24-month beta phase typified by iterative and co-productive development. We will publish the final tested, modified and evaluated model in 2025.

The Q-SEED programme runs over 10 months with one module a month with each module lasting half a day. We pay founder leaders for their attendance because we value their time and their expertise.
1. Social capital: personal development
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Refers to the network of relationships and connections a founder leader can leverage for opportunities, partnerships, intelligence, and advice. Such networks are especially vital for Black and Global Majority founder leaders, who often face systemic barriers to growth. Strong social ties can provide access to industry insiders, potential clients, and experienced mentors, levelling the playing field in a competitive market.

4. Focus on Structural Inequality
7. partnerships for pilot testing
2. Technical capital: system thinking & org development
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Refers to the technological resources and expertise a founder possesses or can access. In today's digitally-driven economy, having the right technology and know-how to utilize it can be a game-changer. For Black founders, mastering technical capital means not just keeping pace with competitors but also innovating and leading in their respective fields. This is particularly important in industries where Black and Global Majority representation at a senior management level is historically low. The harnessing of technology offers a chance to break new ground and inspire future generations.

5. Mentorship and coaching
8. post-program advocacy and support
6. access to resources
3. Equity Capital: Branding, Marketing, Sales
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Is the financial investment injected into a business. Securing funding is often a significant challenge for Black founders due to disparities in wealth distribution and structural biases in funding institutions. Access to equity capital enables these entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, invest in research and development, and hire top talent. It's not merely about the availability of funds but the acknowledgment and trust in the potential of Black-led businesses.

9. community and peer support
1. Social capital: personal development
read more

Refers to the network of relationships and connections a founder leader can leverage for opportunities, partnerships, intelligence, and advice. Such networks are especially vital for Black and Global Majority founder leaders, who often face systemic barriers to growth. Strong social ties can provide access to industry insiders, potential clients, and experienced mentors, levelling the playing field in a competitive market.

2. Technical capital: system thinking & org development
read more

Refers to the technological resources and expertise a founder possesses or can access. In today's digitally-driven economy, having the right technology and know-how to utilize it can be a game-changer. For Black founders, mastering technical capital means not just keeping pace with competitors but also innovating and leading in their respective fields. This is particularly important in industries where Black and Global Majority representation at a senior management level is historically low. The harnessing of technology offers a chance to break new ground and inspire future generations.

3. Equity Capital: Branding, Marketing, Sales
read more

Is the financial investment injected into a business. Securing funding is often a significant challenge for Black founders due to disparities in wealth distribution and structural biases in funding institutions. Access to equity capital enables these entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, invest in research and development, and hire top talent. It's not merely about the availability of funds but the acknowledgment and trust in the potential of Black-led businesses.

4. Focus on Structural Inequality
7. partnerships for pilot testing
5. Mentorship from Industry Leaders
6. access to resources
8. post-program advocacy and support
9. community and peer support
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