THE FIRST 20
20 PEOPLE. 20 GROWTH PLACES. £10,940 OF SUPPORT.
We’re looking for 20 people with businesses, ideas or ambitions that deserve the chance to move forward.
Each person selected for The First 20 will receive a complete TFDI Growth Place worth £547 — practical business support designed to help turn where you are now into where you want to go next.
✓ No loan ✓ No equity ✓ No application fee ✓ Fully funded APPLY FOR THE FIRST 20 SEE WHAT YOU RECEIVE YOUR DAY ONE COULD START HERE. ↓ 20ONE GROWTH PLACE. £547 OF PRACTICAL SUPPORT.
The First 20 isn’t a cash giveaway. Each selected person receives a defined package of practical business support designed to help them build something credible, visible and sustainable.
PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE
A professionally built website that gives your business a credible digital home and somewhere customers can actually find, understand and contact you.
✓ Professional build ✓ Mobile responsive ✓ SSL included ✓ Hosting included for 12 monthsGROWTH CONTENT
Practical content support designed to help your business communicate clearly, present itself professionally and begin building visibility.
✓ Clear business messaging ✓ Growth-focused content ✓ Stronger online presence ✓ Practical support to get moving12 MONTHS IN THE GUILD
A full year inside the TFDI community with practical learning, resources, support and access to people building businesses alongside you.
✓ Premium Guild membership ✓ TFDI learning content ✓ Armoury tools and templates ✓ Ongoing community supportNo cash is handed over. The value is delivered through the defined products, services and support included in your Growth Place.
THE FIRST 20 £10,940 of support committed directly by TFDI ✓FULLY FUNDED MEANS FULLY FUNDED.
If you’re selected for The First 20, you won’t be invoiced for the £547 support included in your Growth Place.
WHO CAN APPLY? APPLY FOR THE FIRST 20YOU DON’T NEED TO BE READY.
You don’t need a polished business plan, a perfect website or years of experience. The First 20 is designed for people who are ready to move forward — even if they’re not completely sure what the next step looks like yet.
I’VE GOT AN IDEA
You know what you want to build, but you’re still at the beginning and need help turning the idea into something real.
I’VE JUST STARTED
You’ve taken the first few steps but need a stronger foundation, clearer direction or practical support to keep moving.
I’M TRADING BUT STUCK
The business exists, but growth has stalled, visibility is poor or you simply don’t know what to tackle next.
I’M STARTING AGAIN
Maybe a previous business didn’t work. Maybe life changed. Maybe you’re rebuilding after a setback and want to approach things differently this time.
I’M CHANGING DIRECTION
You already have skills, experience or an existing business, but you’re pivoting into something new and need help repositioning.
I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START
That’s okay too. You may know you want something different without yet knowing exactly what the business should look like.
NOT PERFECTION. COMMITMENT.
We’re not looking for the slickest pitch or the person with the biggest social following. We’re looking for people we genuinely believe TFDI can help.
✓You’re serious about building or improving a business.
✓You’re willing to put time and effort into the support you’re given.
✓You’re open to learning, feedback and trying things differently.
✓You’re prepared to take practical action rather than wait for someone else to do everything.
✓You can genuinely benefit from the website, content and Guild support included.
THIS PROBABLY ISN’T FOR YOU IF… ×You only want the free website and have no intention of engaging with the wider support.
×You’re expecting TFDI to run your business for you.
×You’re applying simply because something is free rather than because you want to build something.
×You’re unwilling to communicate or take part in the onboarding process.
NOT SURE IF YOU QUALIFY?
Apply anyway.
The application is designed to help us understand where you are, what you’re trying to build and whether The First 20 is the right support for you.
APPLY FOR THE FIRST 20SIMPLE TO APPLY. FAIR TO SELECT.
The First 20 is not about finding the slickest pitch, the biggest following or the person who already looks the most successful.
We want to understand where you are now, what you’re trying to build and whether a TFDI Growth Place can genuinely help you move forward.
APPLY
Tell us a little about you, your business or idea, where you are now and what you’re trying to achieve.
You do not need a polished business plan or perfect answers.
WE READ EVERY APPLICATION
Applications are reviewed properly. We’re looking for people who are serious about building something and where the support included in a Growth Place can make a meaningful difference.
WE TALK
If your application looks like a strong fit, we’ll have a conversation. No Dragon’s Den pitch. No interrogation.
Just a chance to understand you, your business and what support would actually be useful.
THE FIRST 20 ARE SELECTED
We’ll choose 20 people we believe can genuinely benefit from the support and who are ready to engage with the opportunity.
ONBOARDING BEGINS
Selected founders begin onboarding with TFDI, activate their Guild membership, complete their Compass and start working through the support included in their Growth Place.
WE CELEBRATE THEM AT DAY ONE
The First 20 are invited to DAY ONE — The TFDI Founding Night — where we’ll introduce the people and businesses at the heart of where this story begins.
THIS ISN’T A POPULARITY CONTEST.
We are not selecting people based on who already has the biggest audience, the most polished branding or the most impressive-sounding business.
×No social following requirement
×No perfect business plan required
×No polished pitch required
×No requirement to already be profitable
×No requirement to know all the answers
WHAT DOES MATTER 01 NEEDWill the support genuinely help you move forward?
02 COMMITMENTAre you prepared to put time and effort into using it?
03 FITAre the website, content and Guild support relevant to where you are?
04 POTENTIALCan this opportunity help you build something stronger?
THIS IS A FOXX DENNOT A DRAGON’S DEN.
You are not pitching for investment. You are not giving away a percentage of your business. You are not handing over control.
If you’re selected, your business stays 100% yours.
100% YOUR EQUITYTFDI takes no share of your business.
100% YOUR CONTROLYou remain responsible for your own decisions.
£0 INVESTMENT REPAYMENTYour funded Growth Place is not a loan.
→ THE FIRST 20 ARE ONLY THE BEGINNINGNOT ONE OF THE FIRST 20? YOUR APPLICATION DOESN’T HAVE TO END THERE.
There are only 20 places in this first group. But TFDI isn’t being built to support only 20 people.
If you’re not selected for The First 20, you’ll have the option for your application to automatically carry forward for consideration through TFDI 500 — our campaign to fund hundreds more TFDI Growth Places.
That means you won’t need to start from scratch or submit the same information all over again when further funded places become available.
20 PEOPLE WILL BE FIRST.They were never intended to be the last.
✓ YOU STAY IN CONTROLONE APPLICATION. TWO POSSIBLE ROUTES.
When you apply, you’ll be able to choose whether you’d like your application to remain under consideration for future funded Growth Places through TFDI 500 if you’re not selected for The First 20.
✓If I am not selected for The First 20, I would like my application to be considered for future funded Growth Places through TFDI 500.
YOUR APPLICATION JOURNEY 01 YOU APPLY → 02 APPLICATION REVIEWED → SELECTED THE FIRST 20 OR WITH YOUR PERMISSION TFDI 500 START YOUR APPLICATION DISCOVER DAY ONEYOUR DAY ONE STARTS HERE.
Becoming one of The First 20 means more than receiving £547 of support. It means becoming part of the very first group to begin the TFDI journey.
01YOUR PLACE IS CONFIRMED
We’ll let you know you’ve been selected and confirm exactly what your funded Growth Place includes.
→ 02ONBOARD WITH TFDI
We’ll get to know you, your business and where you want to go next.
→ 03BEGIN YOUR GROWTH PLACE
Your website, Growth Content, Guild membership and practical support begin moving into delivery.
AND THEN WE CELEBRATE DAY ONE THE TFDI FOUNDING NIGHTAs one of The First 20, you’ll be invited as our guest to DAY ONE at The Barnstaple Hotel on Friday 9 October 2026.
You’ll be there as one of the people at the heart of TFDI’s first chapter — introduced, celebrated and surrounded by businesses, supporters, partners and people who want to see new ideas succeed.
YOUR INVITATION INCLUDES ✓Complimentary guest place at DAY ONE
✓Red carpet arrival and welcome drink
✓Full finger buffet
✓Live music and celebration
✓Introductions to people who may be able to help your business
✓Recognition as one of The First 20
✓ DAY ONE IS AN INVITATION — NOT A CONDITIONCAN’T ATTEND? YOUR GROWTH PLACE IS STILL YOURS.
We’d love every member of The First 20 to be there, but we know life doesn’t always cooperate.
Work, childcare, health, travel, family commitments or simply not feeling comfortable at a large event should never cost you your funded place.
Being selected for The First 20 is not conditional on attending DAY ONE.
AND AFTER THE RED CARPET?THEN THE REAL WORK BEGINS.
DAY ONE is a celebration. The Growth Place is the work that comes after it.
Your TFDI journey continues with practical delivery, learning, support, feedback and the next steps needed to help your business move forward.
01 COMPASSUnderstand where you are and what needs attention first.
02 WEBSITEBuild the digital home your business needs.
03 CONTENTStrengthen how your business communicates.
04 THE GUILDKeep learning, asking questions and moving forward.
APPLY FOR THE FIRST 20 DISCOVER DAY ONENOT YOUR MONEY. YOUR COMMITMENT.
A funded Growth Place doesn’t come with repayments, equity or hidden fees. But it does represent real time, resources and support being invested in you.
So there’s one thing we ask in return: give it a proper go.
THE DEAL IS PRETTY SIMPLE WE BRING THE SUPPORT. + YOU BRING THE EFFORT.SHOW UP
Engage with the process. Complete the information we need, take part in onboarding and make use of the support available to you.
COMMUNICATE
If we need something from you, respond. If you’re stuck, tell us. If life gets in the way, let us know. We can work with problems; we can’t work with silence.
DO THE WORK
We’ll provide tools, guidance, technology and support — but the business is still yours. You’ll need to make decisions, take action and keep moving.
BE OPEN TO LEARNING
You don’t need to know everything. That’s rather the point. Be willing to ask questions, receive feedback and try something new.
USE WHAT YOU’RE GIVEN
Your Growth Place exists to create progress. Use your website, Growth Content, Guild membership, Armoury resources and the support around you.
HELP US LEARN TOO
The First 20 are exactly that — the first. Tell us what works, what doesn’t and what could be better so TFDI can become stronger for the people who follow you.
WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR PERFECTION.
Businesses have bad weeks. People have bad weeks. Children get ill. Work gets busy. Things go wrong. Ideas change and sometimes the thing you were absolutely convinced would work… spectacularly doesn’t.
None of that means you’ve failed your Growth Place.
We care about progress, not perfection.
✓You can ask stupid questions.
✓You can change your mind.
✓You can get something wrong.
✓You can ask for help.
✓You can have a setback.
✓You can start again.
20 WHY COMMITMENT MATTERSEVERY FUNDED PLACE MATTERS.
There will be more people who want support than there are funded places available. If you’re selected, we’re asking you to respect the opportunity by genuinely engaging with it.
If your circumstances change and you can no longer take part, just talk to us. We’d much rather understand what’s happening than see a funded place quietly go unused.
THAT’S THE CATCH.EXCEPT IT ISN’T REALLY A CATCH.
We don’t want part of your company. We don’t want repayment. We don’t want to control what you build.
WE JUST WANT YOU TO USE THE OPPORTUNITY. I’M READY TO APPLYAPPLY FOR THE FIRST 20.
You’ve seen what the Growth Place includes, who we’re looking for, how selection works and what we ask from you.
If you’re thinking “this could genuinely help me move forward”, this is the bit that matters.
01 BE YOURSELFThere are no points for sounding corporate. Tell us what’s actually going on.
02 DON’T OVERTHINK ITYou don’t need the perfect answer. We want honest answers.
03 TAKE YOUR TIMEWe read every application properly. Give us enough to understand your story.
THE FIRST 20 APPLICATIONYOUR DAY ONE COULD START HERE.
£547 FUNDED SUPPORTWE’LL TAKE IT FROM THERE.
You’ll receive confirmation that your application has reached us. We’ll then review it properly and contact you if we need anything else or would like to arrange a conversation.
If you’re not selected for The First 20 and you’ve asked us to retain your application for TFDI 500, you won’t need to complete the whole process again when future funded places become available.
✓No application fee
✓No loan
✓No equity
✓No polished pitch required
THIS IS A FOXX DEN. NOT A DRAGON’S DEN.Your business stays yours.