The Accelerator Network launches today, bringing together a wide range of business resources aimed at helping ambitious entrepreneurs build scalable and investable British businesses. Created by the backers behind the successful Accelerator Academy, The Accelerator Network unites the services available to high growth tech and digital media start-ups under one organisation, built to support businesses all the way from idea to investment.
Funded with investment from White Horse Capital, and the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, The Accelerator Network aims to support 1,000 entrepreneurs every year with life-stage-appropriate support, whether that be providing business development training or seed investment via the affiliated Startup Funding Club.
The Accelerator Network will include the Accelerator Academy syllabus as part of it’s overall program providing access to: information resources, bootcamps, hackathons, corporate innovation challenges, industry coaching, high growth training plus clients and capital. Founded in 2011, the Accelerator Academy is a delivery partner for the UKTI’s Global Graduate Entrepreneur Sirius Programme, and the FFWD Programme. FFWD London, which launched in June 2014, is a joint venture with City University London, which sees chartered institutes in Marketing, Accounting and Technology provide support and mentoring to aspiring entrepreneurs at the pre-accelerator phase, on behalf of 18 of the UK’s top accelerator programmes and incubators.
Ian Merricks, Chair of The Accelerator Network and managing partner of its backer, White Horse Capital, said: “The UK is now a fantastic place to start a business – from world-class accelerator programmes, through to incubation, and access to angel investment and venture capital. We believe the next phase of growth will focus on uniting the entrepreneurial support ecosystem, and strengthening engagement with value-adding corporates, government departments and funding partners. Our plan is to create the most efficient connections to capital and clients for high growth tech startups in the UK. We’ve already attracted fantastic partnerships with the likes of NatWest, CrowdCube, Dell, Virgin and Visa, and we’re excited to launch officially today.”
Katie Lewis, The Accelerator Network’s Programme Director added: “The array of support services on offer can be difficult for entrepreneurs to navigate. The Accelerator Network will deliver joined up support for high growth tech and digital media start-ups, throughout the business’ lifecycle”.
Today’s launch comes just after the announcement that The Accelerator Network will be working with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to host a hackathon, bringing together 50 of the UK’s brightest young cyber-security minds to tackle critical cyber security issues. The high profile event will take place in June 2015 and will see participants working together on ideas designed to tackle the cybersecurity issues facing businesses and critical infrastructure providers.