Accelerator Programme

Our Accelerator Programmes provide a package of master-classes, mentor-led guidance, and access to people willing to share knowledge, contacts and experience - all designed to accelerate your business to the next level. In addition, there is an opportunity to pitch for seed-funding and learn about other sources of available funding.

 

If you’re committed to overcoming obstacles to success and finding out how to grow and accelerate your business, first check if you are eligible and then get in touch – we would love to hear from you!

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Location

Who is the Accelerator aimed at?

Our Accelerator programmes are ideally suited to businesses that have been running for about 1-3 years. They are aimed at entrepreneurs in Greater Lincolnshire (with priority given to those in/near Boston, Grimsby and Scunthorpe).  Businesses need to be involved with manufacturing, logistics or advanced engineering.

Manufacturing, Advanced Engineering & Logistics

Boston Accelerator

TBC

Manufacturing, Advanced Engineering & Logistics

Scunthorpe Accelerator

UCNL

Manufacturing, Advanced Engineering & Logistics

Grimsby Accelerator

E-factor Grimsby

Online Programme

Priority to those in/near Boston
Starts Sept 2021
Timetable or
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Online Programme

Priority to those in/near Scunthorpe
Starts Jan 2022
Timetable or
APPLY NOW

Grimsby Programme

Priority to those in/near Grimsby
Starts May 2022
 
Not open for applications yet
Location

Who is the Accelerator aimed at?

Our Accelerator Programmes are ideally suited to businesses that have been running for about 1-3 years.
They are aimed at entrepreneurs in Boston, Grimsby and Scunthorpe (and surrounding areas).

Manufacturing, Advanced Engineering & Logistics

Boston Accelerator

TBC

Online Programme

Priority to those in/near Boston
Starts Sept 2021
Timetable or
APPLY NOW
Manufacturing, Advanced Engineering & Logistics

Scunthorpe Accelerator

UCNL

Online Programme

Priority to those in/near Scunthorpe
Starts Jan 2022
Timetable or
APPLY NOW
Manufacturing, Advanced Engineering & Logistics

Grimsby Accelerator

E-factor Grimsby

Grimsby Programme

Priority to those in/near Grimsby
Starts May 2022
 
Not open for applications yet

Eligibility Criteria

  • Businesses based in Greater Lincolnshire 

  • Business that are ideally 1-3 years old

  • Business within the following industries: Logistics or Manufacturing & Advanced Engineering

  • An SME employing fewer than 250 people and with an annual turnover under €50m

  •  In receipt of less than €200k of De Minimis state aid in the past 3 years

  •  Primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, supported by EAFRD

  • Coal, steel and shipbuilding sectors

  • The synthetic fibres sector

  • Generalised (school age) education
    Banking and insurance companies

  • Retail business or retail service business such as restaurants, hairdressers etc.

  • The programme cannot support replacement/upgrade of existing like for like machinery or any activity/purchase which is considered as an every day business activity

Productivity Programme Logo

Not Eligible?

Find out about other University of Lincoln Programmes in Greater Lincolnshire that might be suitable for your business. 

PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMME

What can I expect from the Accelerator Programme?

Our mission is to provide a supportive environment where entrepreneurs get practical help to make significant improvements to their businesses. Businesses accepted onto the programme can expect to:

 

  •  Learn strategies to drive success and avoid failure
  •  Receive mentoring and advice from industry experts
  •  Have access to the resources of the University
  •  Develop connections with like-minded entrepreneurs
  •  Learn the art of presenting and articulating a business idea
  •  Pitch their businesses to a panel of experts – with the best businesses receiving funding
  •  Ongoing support via our alumni club.

How long is each Accelerator Programme?

Typically, the programme consists of 2 half day sessions a week – a sample programme is outlined below. In addition to these sessions, participants will have 1:1s with a business advisor during the programme.

Week 1 Tues: Induction
Week 1 Wed: Meet the entrepreneur

Week 2 Tues: Business strategy masterclass
Week 2 Wed: Business planning masterclass

Week 3 Tues: Marketing Strategy masterclass
Week 3 Wed: Marketing planning masterclass

Week 4 Tues: Effective business administration Meet the entrepreneur

Week 4 Wed: Effective communications

Week 5 Tues: Guide to Exporting
Week 5 Wed: Informal round-table discussion with industry leader(s)

Week 6 Tues: Funding opportunities
Week 6 Wed: Investor-readiness & pitching advice

Week 7 Tues: Perfecting the pitch 
Week 7 Wed: Perfecting the pitch

 

Week 8: Pitching to a panel for seed-funding (30 mins per business)

What we will expect in return

We take business growth acceleration very seriously. If you join our Accelerator programme, our team will be 100% committed to you and your business.

Before applying for a place, however, you need to ask if you are ready and able to provide the same level of commitment back to the programme:

  • Attend all training, coaching and mentoring sessions
  • Take full advantage of the networking opportunities on offer
  • Engage and interact with the other businesses in the cohort
  • Put time and effort into the development of your business

If you are eligible and committed to improving and accelerating your business, we would love to hear from you!

Obtain Funding

Businesses that successfully complete the Accelerator programme will have an opportunity to apply for seed-funding grants of up to £10,000. This seed-funding is designed to help pay for some costs associated with accelerating a business – for instance, capital items or consultancy services.

 

Seed-funding applications will be short-listed, with successful applicants invited to present their pitch to a panel of judges who will decide which businesses to award grants to.

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Male employee give flipchart presentation to smiling colleagues at negotiations, man present project or idea to happy coworkers at briefing, workers laugh at office meeting, having casual talk
Male employee give flipchart presentation to smiling colleagues at negotiations, man present project or idea to happy coworkers at briefing, workers laugh at office meeting, having casual talk

Obtain Funding

Businesses that successfully complete the Accelerator programme will have an opportunity to apply for seed-funding grants of up to £10,000. This seed-funding is designed to help pay for some costs associated with accelerating a business – for instance, capital items or consultancy services.

 

Seed-funding applications will be short-listed, with successful applicants invited to present their pitch to a panel of judges who will decide which businesses to award grants to.

APPLY NOW
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Case Study

“The programme made us realise the benefits of stopping to pause and refocus. Every quarter we schedule some time to take a step back and look at other niche areas we can target. This has completely overhauled our approach to marketing and our business strategy.”

Chris Wilson
Scape360
View case study
Headshot Gray

Case Study

“The programme made us realise the benefits of stopping to pause and refocus. Every quarter we schedule some time to take a step back and look at other niche areas we can target. This has completely overhauled our approach to marketing and our business strategy.”

Chris Wilson
Scape360
View case study

Companies we have supported

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Scape360-Logo (1)
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