Virgin Startup launches momentum accelerator to support dyslexia entrepreneurs
Virgin Startup has launched a premier accelerator program to help dyslexia entrepreneurs expand their businesses, highlighting the growing economic contribution of founders with dyslexia thinking skills.
New analysis from global charities shows that dyslexia entrepreneurs contribute at least £4.6 billion to the UK GDP each year and support more than 60,000 jobs. The study also shows that one-third of business founders are dyslexia, with skills such as creativity, problem-solving, visualization, and large-scale thinking, proving to be very suitable for entrepreneurial spirit.
The new program is called momentumis an eight-week accelerator designed to expand these benefits through tailored workshops, one-to-one coaching and access to expert resources. Virgin Startup also creates a dedicated dyslexia space for founders in its online community. Applications will be closed on September 30, 2025, and the program will begin on October 14.
Elle Upshall is Virgin Startup’s leading position in scale, and he said the program is designed to give founders the confidence to leverage the qualities that set them apart.
“Momentum is designed to help dyslexia founders embrace the advantages that set them apart,” she said. “We know that dyslexia thinking brings a wealth of creative problems and vision, and the program is designed to provide entrepreneurs with support, tools and confidence to leverage those advantages to expand their business.”
In line with the launches made by dyslexia, Virgin Startup and Virgin Unite, a nationwide publicity campaign has been conducted in 46 British towns. The event highlights the world-changing inventions created by dyslexia thinkers, including cars, light bulbs and smartphones, and celebrates global brands created by dyslexia entrepreneurs such as Apple, IKEA, Joe Malone and Virgin themselves.
Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, has long referred to dyslexia as his entrepreneur “superpower”. He said: “Most of my success as an entrepreneur comes from my dyslexia. It’s my superpower. The dyslexia mindset allows me to see the world differently and find new solutions to old problems. The world needs dyslexia entrepreneurs more than ever before, so I’m happy to support the sport and I look forward to falling behind Vir and his vulnerable groups who join the program.
Kate Griggs, founder of dyslexia, said the UK economy depends on the strengths of dyslexia founders.
“Entrepreneurs are the engine of the UK economy – research shows that dyslexia is fueled by mindsets. To promote growth, create jobs and drive the country forward, the UK never needs more dyslexia thinking.”
After the campaign, it has been recently considered a dictionary term and a skill for LinkedIn, but many entrepreneurs still face outdated misunderstandings and a lack of tailored support. Momentum is designed to close the gap.
The founder who benefited from Virgin Startup’s early support is Alex Wright, co-founder of Dash Water, which is 2025, and the No-Sugar soft drink brand will now sell 50 million cans of cans in 20 countries.
“It’s no surprise for me that thinkers with dyslexia over-index entrepreneurs,” Wright said. “While dyslexia feels like a challenge in school, it’s one of my biggest assets as a founder. It helped me identify gaps in the market, see problems as opportunities, dream big, and build successful, successful, disruptive businesses.”
With the app open, Virgin Startup hopes that momentum will inspire and equip the next wave of dyslexia founders to expand their business and enhance its role as an important driver of the UK economy.
