Application Process

Who is the initiative for?

Black In Business is open to Black Entrepreneurs and Black Owned Businesses across the UK, those with a particular view to grow and scale their business through TV Advertising.

To be eligible for the initiative, Businesses must meet the following criteria upon application:

• Businesses must have generated a minimum revenue turnover of £250,000 in their last financial year.
• Businesses must not have invested into TV advertising before (i.e. this is the first time they’ve ever run a TV campaign.
• Must have at least 50% of Founding team identify as Black
• Proof of existence and provide a company number and VAT number
• You’re over 18 years of age
• Your product must be in the market for at least 6 months [from date of application]
• Must have professional indemnity insurance of at least £1m as well as public liability insurance of at least £10m

If you have met the above eligibility, businesses will then be selected based on their suitability with the initiative, and their fit with Channel 4 and Lloyds.

The Application Process

The application process will involve 3 stages:

Stage 1: Written Application. This is your chance to tell us about your business. The entry form consists of around 30 questions, half of which are short form or tick box questions, and the other half are more descriptive, to allow us to understand your business, how it operates, what makes you different and how TV advertising would tie into your marketing strategy and help your business grow. Businesses will only be able to proceed once you have confirmed your businesses generates over £250,000 and you have a business website.  

Head to our FAQ’s page to understand why we have set this criteria.

We recommend you complete the form all at once as you are unable to save and come back to it.  If you have a disability and need additional help with submitting your application, please email us at 4sales@channel4.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help. 

Deadline to apply: Sunday 31st May 2026

Stage 2: Character Video about the founder(s). You will be asked to send a 5-10 minute video answering pre-determined questions, this is your chance to tell us about you.

Stage 2 video submissions deadline: Sunday 5th July 2026

Stage 3: Face to face panel Interview, this is your chance to tell us about your team, your processes, and why you and your business is the perfect fit for this initiative.  

Final face to face interviews in London: Wednesday 22nd July 2026

Other key dates

Notify winning businesses: Friday 24th July 2026

Masterclasses, Mentorship and creative development and production of ads: August 2026 – November 2026

TV Adverts on air: Q1 2027

Please thoroughly read through our initiative terms and conditions before applying