X-Forces
X-Forces Enterprise is a UK Community Interest Company founded in 2013 that delivers fully-funded enterprise training, mentoring, Start Up Loan facilitation, and networking to the Armed Forces community — veterans, service leavers, reservists, military spouses, cadets, and family members — primarily via government, military-charity, and corporate partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What X-Forces does
X-Forces Enterprise (XFE), trading as X-Forces (XF) CIC and a subsidiary of Enterprise ForLife Ltd., is a UK Community Interest Company founded in 2013 that delivers fully-funded business support to the Armed Forces community. It operates from a headquarters at Mountbarrow House, 6-20 Elizabeth Street, London, with a staff of 11–50, and serves veterans, service leavers, reservists, military spouses/partners, cadets, and first-degree family members across the United Kingdom. Its core offering is a four-pillar programme — Training & Events (online and in-person enterprise workshops), Business Finance (facilitation of British Business Bank Start Up Loans of £500–£25,000), Community & Network (the XFE Accelerator within the NatWest Accelerator platform, plus the Military In Business Network), and Resources (toolkits, templates, COBRA sector fact sheets) — supplemented by specialist cohorts including Supporting the Unsung Hero (military partners), Cadets in Enterprise, Wounded Injured Sick veterans, Career Compass, and X-Emergency Services. Ancillary programmes include the Military In Business Magazine and Podcast and the Soldiering On Awards.
The business model is grant- and partnership-funded rather than client-billed: beneficiaries access all services at no cost. Revenue is sourced from government bodies (Ministry of Defence, British Business Bank, Department for Work and Pensions, Office for Veterans' Affairs, Department for Business & Trade), military charities (Royal British Legion, Army Benevolent Fund, Greenwich Hospital, Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust), corporate partners (NatWest, Barclays, Rolls-Royce, Cisco, Centrica, Pets at Home) via the Big Business Supporting Small Business Steering Group, and a per-loan administrative fee from the Start Up Loans Company for each government-backed loan facilitated. Distribution is community- and referral-led: beneficiaries are routed through the MOD's Career Transition Partnership, DWP Job Centres, military charities, and the NatWest Accelerator digital and physical hub network, with delivery via an online video platform, in-person workshops at military bases, and residential courses. The technology stack prioritises accessibility over proprietary differentiation and includes a Zoho Backstage events system, the NatWest Accelerator app, and a CRM-backed advisor workflow.
X-Forces firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- X-Forces
- Legal name
- X-Forces (XF) CIC
- Website
- https://x-forces.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- X-Forces Enterprise is a UK Community Interest Company founded in 2013 that delivers fully-funded enterprise training, mentoring, Start Up Loan facilitation, and networking to the Armed Forces community — veterans, service leavers, reservists, military spouses, cadets, and family members — primarily via government, military-charity, and corporate partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
X-Forces industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veteran and Military Business Support Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)
Keywords
Where X-Forces is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
X-Forces business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Contract Delivery: XFE receives funding from government bodies (MOD Career Transition Partnership, British Business Bank, DWP, Office for Veterans' Affairs, Department for Business & Trade) and charitable partners to deliver fully-funded business support programmes to the Armed Forces community. This is the primary revenue mechanism enabling free-to-access services.
- Start Up Loans Administrative Fee: XFE acts as a Specialist Business Support Partner for the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans scheme, facilitating access to government-backed loans (£500–£25,000) for Armed Forces entrepreneurs. XFE receives an administrative fee from Start Up Loans Company for each loan facilitated. The fee is not contingent on loan amount or percentage.
- Charitable Partnership Funding: XFE receives funding from military charities including Royal British Legion (ongoing collaborative project since 2020), Army Benevolent Fund (since 2015), Greenwich Hospital (since 2017), and Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, supporting specific programmes such as Supporting the Unsung Hero and enterprise training.
- Corporate Partnership Support: Corporate partners (Pets at Home, Cisco, Barclays, NatWest, Rolls-Royce, Centrica, and others) provide financial backing, strategic insights, procurement access for supply chain diversity, and support for learning and development initiatives through the Big Business Supporting Small Business Steering Group.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Fully-funded enterprise training for Armed Forces community |
| Subscription | Monthly | Start Up Loans — Government-backed personal loan for business purposes |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels14 records
X-Forces product offering
Product offeringCore offering
X-Forces Enterprise is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that delivers fully-funded enterprise training, mentoring, and access to government-backed Start Up Loans (£500–£25,000) for members of the UK Armed Forces community. Its services cover the full self-employment journey from discovery through to business launch and growth, supplemented by a peer networking community, digital toolkits, and specialist programmes for military partners, wounded veterans, and cadets.
Product overview
X-Forces Enterprise operates as a business support organization offering a multi-service portfolio for the Armed Forces community. The core offerings include Training & Events (enterprise workshops and networking), Business Finance (Start Up Loans facilitation), Community & Network (accelerator community access), and Resources (toolkits and templates). These are complemented by specialist programmes: Supporting the Unsung Hero for military partners, Cadets in Enterprise for young people, Wounded, Injured, Sick & Vulnerable Programme, Career Transition Partnership Training, Career Compass, and X-Emergency Services. Ancillary offerings include Military In Business Magazine and Podcast as content channels, and the Soldiering On Awards as a recognition programme.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Military In Business Network: An inclusive network for entrepreneurs from the Armed Forces community to share experiences and support one another, featuring regular meetups and peer-to-peer support.
- Cadets in Enterprise
- Supporting the Unsung Hero
- Soldiering On Academy (WIS Programme)
- Military In Business Magazine
Products and services
- Training & Events
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,500 Supporting the Unsung Hero programme alumni worldwide
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use X-Forces
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
X-Forces technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
X-Forces partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Ministry of Defence (Career Transition Partnership)coreSince November 2015, XFE has been the Official Business Enterprise Trainer for the MOD's Career Transition Partnership. XFE delivers Self-Employment Awareness (1-day) and Enterprise and Self-Employment (2-day) courses to service leavers across the UK at military bases, preparing them for business start-up when leaving the Forces.
- Royal British LegioncoreXFE and the Royal British Legion have been working together since 2013. The RBL supports the XFE Military In Business® Network as part of an ongoing collaborative project since 2020, enabling peer-to-peer support and mentoring. RBL also supports XFE's bespoke initiatives for military spouses/partners and family members.
- NatWestcoreXFE partnered with NatWest to create the XFE Accelerator Community within the NatWest Accelerator platform — a members-only digital space combining a mobile app, a network of free-to-access business hubs across the UK, workshops, coaching, mentoring, and growth/funding support, specifically for Armed Forces entrepreneurs regardless of their bank.
- Army Benevolent FundmajorPartner since 2015, supporting enterprise training for the Army community to enable informed career choices and fulfilling futures for veterans and their families.
- Greenwich HospitalmajorSince 2017, Greenwich Hospital has worked with XFE to support enterprise awareness and skills training in the Naval community, exploring whether business could work for them and providing practical tools to launch.
- Forces Employment CharitymajorPartnership combining XFE's expertise in self-employment and entrepreneurship with FEC's focus on broader employment. Enables referrals, joint events, enhanced support in devolved nations, mutual promotion, and optimisation of CTP support for service leavers in transition.
- Royal Marines CharitymajorXFE is the preferred delivery partner of the Royal Marines Association for self-employment, business ownership and entrepreneurship. XFE offers its full suite of services through funding relationships with RBL, Greenwich Hospital, and the British Business Bank.
- COBSEO (Confederation of Service Charities)majorXFE is a proud member of Cobseo and upholds its values to collaborate in support of the Armed Forces community. XFE plays an active role in the Cobseo Employment Cluster, a cooperative working group improving the quality, integration, and reach of employment, training and education services.
- Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)majorXFE holds the voluntary role of Armed Forces Champion on the FSB Policy team. XFE's working relationships with DBT are channelled through its close relationship with FSB. FSB membership provides XFE beneficiaries with access to additional small business resources and policy advocacy.
- Pets at HomeminorCorporate member of the Big Business Supporting Small Business Steering Group. Committed to supporting military entrepreneurs and fostering partnerships that create meaningful opportunities, strengthening individuals and communities.
- CiscominorCorporate partner supporting the Big Business Supporting Small Business Steering Group, contributing strategic insights, knowledge exchange, and support for learning and development initiatives.
- CentricaminorCorporate partner in the Big Business Supporting Small Business Steering Group, supporting learning, training, and development initiatives for the XFE business community.
- Rolls-RoyceminorRolls-Royce hosted a Cadets in Enterprise graduation ceremony, celebrating the successful completion of a cohort and demonstrating corporate support for the programme.
- LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group)minorPartner in the Cadets in Enterprise programme. Cadets have enjoyed graduation ceremonies at the London Stock Exchange, providing prestigious recognition for young participants.
- Soldiering On AcademycoreXFE's successful Wounded, Injured, and Sick veterans programme is delivered by the Soldiering On Academy, providing a supportive residential space to explore employment options including self-employment, portfolio careers, or further learning for veterans with mental or physical health challenges.
- Reed in PartnershipcoreXFE delivers CTP training as appointed Business Enterprise Trainer for the MOD's Career Transition Partnership, with Reed in Partnership as the MOD Prime Contractor. XFE delivers Self-Employment Awareness and Enterprise training to service leavers across the UK.
- Landmarc SolutionsminorCorporate partner supporting the Supporting the Unsung Hero programme, contributing to funding and programme delivery for Armed Forces families.
- Pinnacle GroupminorCorporate partner supporting the Supporting the Unsung Hero programme, providing backing for enterprise pathway development for military partners and families.
- Army, RAF & Navy Families FederationsmajorTri-Service Families Federations collaborate with XFE on the 3-day Self-Employment Discovery course for military spouses and partners, providing programme design input and beneficiary outreach.
- Commercial Education Trust (CET)minorPartner in the Cadets in Enterprise programme, supporting enterprise education for young people from Tri-Service Cadet Forces.
- Institute of LeadershipminorPartner in the Cadets in Enterprise programme, contributing leadership and enterprise skills development for young people.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
X-Forces competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
X-Forces social profiles
Digital presenceX-Forces compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
X-Forces financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
X-Forces leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
X-Forces subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
X-Forces funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
X-Forces M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about X-Forces
What does X-Forces do?
X-Forces Enterprise is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that delivers fully-funded enterprise training, mentoring, and access to government-backed Start Up Loans (£500–£25,000) for members of the UK Armed Forces community. Its services cover the full self-employment journey from discovery through to business launch and growth, supplemented by a peer networking community, digital toolkits, and specialist programmes for military partners, wounded veterans, and cadets.
Is X-Forces a public or private company?
X-Forces is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was X-Forces founded?
X-Forces was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is X-Forces based?
X-Forces is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does X-Forces make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Contract Delivery is the primary driver. The others are start Up Loans Administrative Fee, charitable Partnership Funding and corporate Partnership Support.
Does X-Forces have an API?
No public API is recorded for X-Forces.
What industry is X-Forces in?
X-Forces's product category is Veteran and Military Business Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAHAL, Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services.