Sentrepreneurs is an Essex County Council–funded programme designed to empower neurodivergent adults and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through creative learning, entrepreneurship, and long-term community support. Co-developed by Underdog Crew Studios CIC and Startup Networks, the initiative removes barriers to employment and self-employment by blending accessible training with a supportive, inclusive ecosystem.

Underdog Crew Studios contributes its award-winning expertise in SEND-focused creative education and mentoring, while Startup Networks brings its digital platform, entrepreneurial training, and community-building capabilities. Designed alongside SEND individuals, every element of the programme prioritises accessibility and meaningful impact.

Funded through the Learning Disabilities and Autism Grant Scheme, the 12-month programme offers a six-week START course, an accessible online entrepreneurship forum, mentorship, rural wellbeing retreats, community workshops, and a dedicated paid role for an adult with SEND.

Sentrepreneurs strengthens confidence, employability, and social connection, creating new business opportunities and inclusive pathways to long-term economic independence across Essex.

Before launching Sentrepreneurs, the team faced several strategic and operational challenges that required specialist support. The first was creating a distinct and meaningful brand identity that represented both the entrepreneurial focus and the SEND-inclusive mission of the initiative. Alongside this, the team needed help onboarding participants into their START and Launch programmes, ensuring accessibility, clarity, and confidence for neurodivergent and SEND adults entering entrepreneurship. A major challenge involved building a custom Sentrepreneur online platform, designed to serve as a safe, moderated hub for training, mentorship, peer support, and employment opportunities. This required bespoke features that aligned with SEND accessibility needs. To promote the initiative publicly and reach partners, schools, families, and the local community, the team also needed to build a dedicated website that clearly communicated the mission, services, and pathways available. Finally, Sentrepreneurs required support in developing a mentor-matching system, enabling participants to be paired with SEND-trained business mentors who could guide them through skills development, confidence-building, and early-stage business creation. Together, these challenges formed the foundation of a large-scale, multi-layered initiative that needed cohesive branding, digital infrastructure, accessible onboarding, and a sustainable mentorship ecosystem to achieve long-term impact.