Start-ups with ideas to make a positive impact on people, planet or place, are being offered the opportunity to join Allia’s next cohort for the Serious Impact Accelerator in Cambridge.
Successful applicants will receive up to 12 weeks structured advice and support, to launch and develop their ventures. Businesses and entrepreneurs interested in taking part in this free programme are asked to apply online via www.seriousimpact.co.uk/accelerate
Entrepreneurs will join a cohort of like-minded impact ventures to build, develop and consolidate their knowledge and skills, with expert help to launch new ideas and grow sustainable impact ventures.
As well as one-to-one support from Allia’s experienced business advisors, the Serious Impact Accelerator programme includes three 1-day ‘Pillar Sessions’, covering sales and marketing, operations, and finance, in addition to tactical short courses to develop skills and knowledge, and regular 2-hour review sessions with the group.
Now launching its fifth intake, the accelerator has had amazing feedback from previous participants, who were surprised to find that the group feedback sessions were one of the most helpful parts of the course. Others found the structured approach, with clear targets and objectives, helped them focus on launching their ventures.
Claire Button, from CB Partners, who hosted a Beanbag Session at last year’s Venturefest East, described the Accelerator as ‘Fun. Informative. Encouraging. Educational. Opens doors. New ideas. Great marketing approaches. Thought provoking. Inspiring.’
Rowan and William West, who are developing XOsuit Solutions said of the experience, ‘it was the best start we could have given our business.’ Their innovative venture is developing an advanced exoskeleton body armour for motor sports.
Paul Hughes, Director of Enterprise Support at Allia, said, ‘Serious Impact has been developed to give Startups the best possible foundations upon which to build their ventures and, as a result, to maximise the positive impact they can make. We’re excited about the quality of ventures in and around Cambridge and can’t wait to start working with the next cohort.’
A participant from the very first Accelerator, Simon Robinson, said ‘The programme has been very well thought out and fantastically implemented by talented and experienced staff. The Business Advisors are always prepared to go the extra distance to help my start up at this crucial stage.’
Startups especially encouraged to apply are those working in fields including (but not limited to):
- Cleantech, Energy & Environment
- Food, Agriculture & Agritech
- Smart Cities & IoT
- Healthcare & Wellbeing
- Ageing Population
- Community & Social Inclusion
- Education & EdTech
- Accessibility
Spaces are open to individuals and teams who can show that their idea has the potential to make a positive impact on people, planet or place, and that they are ready and committed to making their business a success.
The next Accelerator begins soon and applications are open until 15 January 2018.
Visit www.seriousimpact.co.uk/accelerate to apply.
What is Serious Impact?
Serious Impact is a £1.7m five-channel programme of training and support aimed specifically at impact entrepreneurs and ventures within the Greater Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough LEP area. Impact entrepreneurs and ventures seek to achieve a double bottom line – a financial return and social/environmental impact – from their activities. http://seriousimpact.co.uk/
@SeriousImpactUK
About Allia
Allia creates social impact through enterprise. It does this by providing access to finance, workspace and practical support to social and environmental businesses and charities, and by stimulating new ideas and collaborations among organisations that aim to address social challenges. www.allia.org.uk
About European Regional Development Fund
The project is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding