Company of Entrepreneurs

What Company of Entrepreneurs does

The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs (formerly the Guild of Entrepreneurs) is a private, non-profit Livery Company of the City of London, founded in 2014 and granted full Livery status by the Court of Aldermen in 2025, ranking 112th in order of precedence. The organisation operates as a membership fraternity of successful entrepreneurs (Freemen and Liverymen) who gain access to a closed network of City of London civic functions, inter-Livery collaboration, mentoring, and ceremonial events. There is no proprietary technology; the core product is membership itself, with structured pricing comprising a £450 annual quarterage subscription, a £450 one-off Freedom Fine, and a £400 Livery Fine.

Beyond membership, the Company operates four programme verticals: (1) the Scale-Up Capital investor showcase, a curated programme connecting founder-led businesses seeking £5-30m with investors at venues including the London Stock Exchange and Mansion House, with reported cumulative capital raises exceeding £120m; (2) the EASI (Entrepreneurs' Award in Social Innovation), an annual competition awarding £10,000 plus a 12-month mentoring package to early-stage purpose-led UK enterprises; (3) the Company of Entrepreneurs Trust, distributing grants of up to £5,000 for business education and enterprise skills; and (4) an education and outreach programme spanning secondary schools, universities (Westminster, East London, London Business School), and the Defence Academy of the UK, with three formal military affiliations (Defence Academy since 2017, RAF Rapid Capabilities Office since 2020, RAF Air Mobility Force since 2021). The Company's revenue derives from recurring membership subscriptions, one-off admission fines, event fees, and charitable donations, with no commercial product revenue, no venture funding, and no disclosed audited financials.

Name

Company of Entrepreneurs

Legal name

The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs

Website

https://entrepreneurscompany.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs is a private City of London Livery Company, granted full status in 2025, that provides membership, mentoring, an investor showcase (Scale-Up Capital), and grant programmes for UK entrepreneurs and social innovators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Membership Organization (Livery Company)

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC), Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Business (EDAMAHAK)

Keywords

• Livery company membership
• Entrepreneurship fellowship
• Investor showcase program
• Social innovation grants
• City of london network

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Quarterage: Annual subscription fees paid by all Freemen and Liverymen. The primary recurring revenue stream that funds the Company's operations including Clerk's salary, running costs, event tickets, and charitable donations.
2. Entry Fines: One-time fees comprising Freedom Fine (£450) upon admission as Freeman and Livery Fine (£400) upon clothing as Liveryman.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue from ticketed events including dinners, social gatherings, and the Scale-Up Capital investor showcase program.
4. Charitable Donations: Donations from members and supporters to the Company of Entrepreneurs Trust, with Benefactors recognized at £1,000+ and Principal Benefactors at £12,000+ per year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs is a City of London Livery Company that provides Freeman/Liveryman membership to successful entrepreneurs, hosts investor showcase events connecting scale-ups with capital (£5-30m), runs the EASI social-innovation award (£10,000 grant plus mentoring), and administers charitable grants of up to £5,000 for entrepreneurship education. Revenue is generated from annual quarterage subscriptions (£450), one-time Freedom (£450) and Livery (£400) Fines, ticketed events, and charitable donations to the Company of Entrepreneurs Trust.

Product overview

The Company of Entrepreneurs is a Livery Company of the City of London offering membership (Freeman status), educational programs, and charitable initiatives to promote entrepreneurship. The core offerings include: Freeman Membership providing access to fellowship and networking; the EASI award program offering £10,000 grants to social innovators; Scale-Up Capital investor showcases connecting growth companies with £5-30m capital; Company of Entrepreneurs Trust grants up to £5,000 for business education; and various events and outreach programs. This is a membership organization, not a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Freeman Membership Full membership of the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, formally granted at a Freedom Ceremony. Members become Freemen of the Company and may progress to become Liverymen, gaining access to the Company's events, fellowship, networking, mentorship, and City of London civic activities.
• EASI (Entrepreneurs' Award in Social Innovation) Annual competition inviting early-stage purpose-led UK organisations developing innovative social or environmental products and services. The winner receives a £10,000 grant plus a 12-month mentoring, introductions, and support package.
• Scale-Up Capital Investor Showcase Curated investor showcase programme connecting high-growth, founder-led businesses with capital of £5-30m, held at prestigious City venues including the London Stock Exchange and Mansion House. Investee companies pay a £650 participation fee; investor delegates attend at no charge.
• Company of Entrepreneurs Trust Grants Charitable grants of up to £5,000 administered by the Company of Entrepreneurs Trust to support business education and enterprise skills for individuals, organisations, and charities advancing entrepreneurship. Applications deadline 30th September each year.
• Events and Fellowship Programme Rich calendar of formal and informal events including Court meetings, dinners, monthly Second Wednesday networking drinks, educational workshops, Installation events, and inter-Livery activities available to Freemen, Liverymen, and their guests on a ticketed/pay-as-you-go basis.
• Education and Outreach Programme Partnerships with schools, universities, and the Defence Academy of the UK to promote entrepreneurship through mentoring, workshops, career networking, Fireside chats for senior officers, and the annual Entrepreneurs' Prize for defence innovation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £120 million raised through Scale-Up Capital program for participating companies
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, core and minor.

• Worshipful Company of NeedlemakerssecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership through EASI (Entrepreneurs' Award in Social Innovation) supporting MedTech and bioscience innovators. Collaboration has proven the power of partnership in creating meaningful social impact.
• RAF Air Mobility ForcesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Newest military affiliation recorded in 2021. AMF manages all RAF air mobility operations worldwide. Reciprocal engagements include experiences for Freemen Entrepreneurs (particularly aerial vehicles and logistics) and support/mentoring for AMF officers.
• RAF Rapid Capabilities OfficesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Formal affiliation since 2020. The RCO coordinates development of UK Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles and operates at the cutting edge of air power technology. The innovative nature of RCO's work has synergy with Freemen Entrepreneurs' experiences. The Master Entrepreneur adjudicated the inaugural Spirit of Tempest Award in 2021.
• Defence Academy of the UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Formal affiliation since 2017. The Company offers value through successful Freemen providing entrepreneurial experience to supplement Academy courses. 'Fireside chats' have been delivered for senior officers. The Entrepreneurs' Prize is an annual award to an officer demonstrating innovation in problem-solving and enterprise in defence issues.
• Knowledge, Information and Human Potential (KIHP) GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative forum of seven livery companies united by commitment to education, lifelong learning, creativity, and leadership. Member companies include Communicators, Educators, Entrepreneurs, HR Professionals, Information Technologists, Management Consultants, and Stationers. Organises annual debates and collaborative activities.
• Financial Services Group (FSG)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the longest-established inter-livery collaborations in the City of London. Provides collective voice for livery companies engaged in finance and professional services. Comprises 15 Livery Companies including Actuaries, Chartered Accountants, Insurers, International Bankers, and others.
• Worshipful Company of Information TechnologistssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Scale-Up Capital Defence & Dual-Use showcase at Mansion House in September 2026, connecting high-growth defence and dual-use companies with specialist investors.
• London Stock ExchangesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Scale-Up Capital flagship events. June 2026 flagship brought more than 200 delegates and 18 presenting companies to the Exchange.
• Briars GroupminorOthersBack office power behind growing entrepreneurial businesses. Provides services across People, Finance, Tax and Administration. Supporter since 1991 with over 1,000 clients globally.
• PDA GroupminorOthersFounder Supporter including PDA Legal (risk and compliance), PDA Marketing (project implementation), and PDA Virtual Administration Services. Pride in being part of entrepreneurial heritage in the City of London.
• MoneypennyminorOthersTelephone answering service providing dedicated PA support for businesses. Offers free trial week for Company members.
• RathbonesminorOthersIndividual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Provider of sustainable and responsible wealth management.
• Trowers & HamlinsminorOthersLaw firm sponsor that has hosted Company quiz nights and webevents including GDPR session.
• London Business SchoolsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Ask an Entrepreneur Series workshops and Entrepreneurship Summer School mentorship. The Company provides mentors for MBA students and delivers sessions at the Deloitte Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
• University of WestminstersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration through DisLab initiative and outreach activities. Company supports students setting up businesses through donations and mentoring programme.
• University of East LondonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust donations support students setting up businesses. Programme with 10 participants supported through lectures and talks delivered by Freemen.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs): Global non-profit fostering entrepreneurship through mentorship, education, networking, and chapter-based events. Shares the Company's non-profit ethos, mentoring programmes, and educational outreach to aspiring entrepreneurs, with similar grant and awards components.
• Vistage: Peer advisory and executive coaching organisation for SME CEOs and business leaders. Closely analogous business model of paid membership, peer group meetings, mentoring, and workshops for established entrepreneurs, with comparable segment focus.
• Founders Forum: Invitation-only community of tech founders and CEOs offering curated events, peer connections, and investor introductions. Comparable peer-only membership approach and focus on serial entrepreneurs, though UK-private rather than Livery-affiliated.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): Premier global peer network for chief executives and business leaders. Directly comparable membership-fee model, peer forum structure, and educational programming aimed at established entrepreneurs, though YPO focuses on chief executives rather than founders and operates worldwide.
• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): Global membership community of founders and entrepreneurs offering peer-to-peer learning, events, and accelerator programmes. Most direct functional analogue to the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, with a similar mission of supporting business owners through fellowship, education, and connections, but operating at much larger international scale.
• Worshipful Company of Information Technologists: Livery Company of the City of London covering the IT industry with similar fellowship, charitable, and civic structures. Closest functional peer within the Livery movement, with shared Court governance, charitable giving, and Scale-Up Capital co-programming.
• Worshipful Company of International Bankers:
• Worshipful Company of Management Consultants: Livery Company serving management consultants with comparable membership, charitable trust, educational outreach, and inter-Livery collaboration model. Directly analogous in structure, scale, and progression pathway.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EntrepreneurCoy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQp-eTCo7k8MRKo1I4bmemQ

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Company of Entrepreneurs