Diversity Business Incubator

What Diversity Business Incubator does

Diversity Business Incubator (DBI) is a Community Interest Company headquartered in Plymouth, United Kingdom, providing free business incubation and advisory services to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) entrepreneurs across the South West of England. Founded on 10 January 2018 by Jabo Butera (Managing Director) and David Feindouno (Financial Director), DBI delivers a portfolio of core services including Consulting, Mentoring and Skills Transfer, Peer-to-Peer Business Development, a 12-week Start-Up Taster program, Business Support (workshops, business plan writing, market research, financial resilience, marketing support), and a Brokerage Role & Representation service that positions DBI as a trusted intermediary between BAME entrepreneurs and the wider economic support infrastructure. Beyond direct entrepreneur support, the organization operates an ecosystem of featured projects — the annual Grand BAME Gala (a BAME business excellence awards ceremony), Black History Month programming, the Girls to Women movement, Jabulani Coffee, the Jabulani Plymouth Food Court launchpad for BAME food entrepreneurs, the Plymouth Refugee & Asylum Seeker Network, Our Devonport, and Communities of the Soil — alongside a weekly Business Breakfast Show on Ptown Radio.

The core technology stack is intentionally human-delivered rather than software-based; there is no proprietary platform, API, or AI/ML component. DBI distributes services through in-person engagement at its Union Street office, recurring community events, partner referrals across local government, higher education, defence and transport sectors (e.g., Torbay Council, University of Plymouth, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Great Western Railway), social media (Instagram), email newsletters, and radio broadcasting. The organization is supported by a small team of approximately 11 staff including HR, Network Development, IT, Social Media & Engagement, and Data Analyst roles.

DBI operates as a non-profit funding model: all services to entrepreneurs are provided at no charge, with operating costs covered by grants from The Rank Foundation and Community Fund, alongside corporate sponsorships from entities such as Babcock International, Arts University Plymouth, Womble Bond Dickinson, City College Plymouth, Drake Circus, Digitwell Solutions, and ODILS Learning Foundation. Commercial consulting and EDI services to institutional clients supplement grant income. Geographic expansion beyond Plymouth into Devon, Somerset and Cornwall is a stated strategic priority.

Name

Diversity Business Incubator

Legal name

Diversity Business Incubator

Website

https://dbi.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Diversity Business Incubator (DBI) is a Plymouth-based Community Interest Company, founded in 2018, that provides free business incubation, mentoring, and advisory services to BAME entrepreneurs in Plymouth and the South West of England, supported by grants and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation and Entrepreneurship Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• Minority business support
• Entrepreneurship training
• Government contracting assistance
• Small business development

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Business Support Services: DBI provides free business support services to minority ethnic entrepreneurs including business advice, workshops, mentoring, and assistance finding grant money for start-ups and existing businesses. Services are offered at no cost to entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Diversity Business Incubator runs an entrepreneurship support organization that provides physical office/co-working space, structured business incubation programming, mentorship, technology training, and government-contracting certification aimed at minority-owned, women-owned, and underserved small businesses in the Washington, D.C. region. Its services are delivered through named programs (Business Incubator Program, Technology Training, Government Contracting Certification, Startup Accelerator) and through government and institutional contracts.

Product overview

Diversity Business Incubator (DBI) is a business hub for minority ethnic entrepreneurs offering a comprehensive suite of advisory and support services. The core service portfolio includes Consulting, Mentoring and Skills Transfer, Peer 2 Peer Business Development Plan, Start-Up Taster (12-week program), Business Support, and Brokerage Role & Representation. DBI also operates Featured Projects including The Grand BAME Gala (annual awards ceremony), Black History Month celebrations, Girls to Women movement, Jabulani Coffee, Jabulani Plymouth Food Court, Plymouth RAS Network, Our Devonport, and Communities of the Soil. Engagement platforms include Resources (free downloadable tools), Radio programming on Ptown Radio, and various Events throughout the year. DBI is not a software product but rather a community-focused business incubation and support organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Incubator Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 attendees at BAME Gala events, growing from 75 at inception in 2018
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ptown RadiocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSince 2020, DBI has partnered with local community radio station Ptown Radio to deliver the weekly 'Business Breakfast Show' every Friday 12:00-13:00, bringing the local community a window into the business world and supporting entrepreneurs with business advice and tips.
• Jabulani CICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBI supports Jabulani CIC's food court venture, providing one day per week of continued business training while the food court is closed. Jabulani is a launchpad for start-up food and hospitality businesses in Plymouth from BAME communities.
• University of Plymouth - School of Arts, Design & ArchitectureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner for consulting services, EDI workshops, and community engagement initiatives.
• Torbay CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner for consulting and community development initiatives.
• Great Western RailwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransport partner engaged with DBI for diversity and inclusion initiatives and community engagement.
• Royal NavyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefence sector partner for diversity and inclusion consulting and community engagement.
• Royal Air ForceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefence sector partner engaged with DBI for specialist engagement and inclusion programs, as noted by Steve Perham from RAF Specialist Engagement Team.
• Plymouth Theatre RoyalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for consulting services and community events.
• City College PlymouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner supporting DBI through EEDI Committee initiatives and community engagement. Has established its own EEDI Committee focusing on equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• ODILS Learning FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian charity serving asylum seekers and refugees, celebrating BAME community achievements. Founded 22 years ago to serve the influx of Asylum Seekers into Plymouth.
• Plymouth City CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner listed among DBI's Friends network, collaborating on community initiatives.
• Torbay Development AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development agency partner for economic development and business support initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Coadec (Startup Coalition): UK independent policy and community organisation supporting early-stage tech and start-up founders through advocacy, events and founder networks. Adjacent to DBI in advocating for under-represented founders, though focused primarily on policy rather than direct incubation.

Direct peers

• UnLtd: UK foundation for social entrepreneurs providing awards, mentoring and support to early-stage ventures, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Highly comparable to DBI's grant-brokering and incubation role for minority ethnic and refugee entrepreneurs.
• Hatch Enterprise: UK charity supporting underrepresented founders and social entrepreneurs through incubation, mentorship and workshops in London and beyond. Closely mirrors DBI's model of community-led, human-delivered business support for minority ethnic entrepreneurs.
• School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE): UK charity delivering programmes, mentoring and peer support for social entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on under-represented founders. Comparable to DBI's combination of workshops, mentoring, peer learning and a cohort-based learning experience.
• Enterprise Nation: UK small business support community providing advice, events, mentoring and resources to start-ups and growing businesses. Comparable to DBI's Business Support and Peer 2 Peer Business Development Plan offerings, though operating at significantly larger scale and nationally.

Others

• Locality: UK membership body supporting community-led organisations with advice, resources and advocacy. Relevant as an ecosystem peer for DBI's community organising role and its work with refugee, faith and BAME community groups.
• Power to Change: UK independent trust supporting community businesses with grant funding, research and peer networks. Comparable funder / ecosystem role for the type of community-rooted economic development work DBI delivers in Plymouth and the South West.

Broad incumbents

• The Prince's Trust: UK's largest youth charity supporting 11-30 year-olds into enterprise, training and employment. Operates a national entrepreneurship programme with funding, mentoring and grants — overlapping with DBI's mission to incubate BAME entrepreneurs, but at far larger scale and broader demographic.
• Big Issue Invest: Social investment arm of The Big Issue providing loans and support to social enterprises and mission-led businesses. Comparable to DBI in serving underserved founders, but with a capital-deployment model rather than grant-only delivery.
• Start Up Loans: UK government-backed delivery partner providing personal loans, mentoring and business support to aspiring entrepreneurs. Highly relevant as a broader incumbent DBI helps entrepreneurs access through its grant-funding brokerage service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/dbi_uk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diversity-business-incubator

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Diversity Business Incubator