Ulster Bank is preparing for the tenth intake of their successful Belfast Accelerator programme, and is encouraging more established businesses who want to grow and scale to sign up.
Since launching in 2016, over 700 businesses have come through the Belfast Accelerator, creating hundreds of jobs while raising millions of pounds in investment and funding along the way. A place on the programme can be transformative for existing companies, as well as those who are just beginning their entrepreneurial journey.
The programme provides fully funded support such as business coaching, expert mentorship and an environment of likeminded people. It can also be of benefit to businesses trying to scale, launch a new product or even invest in top line leadership. Throughout the time on the programme, successful applicants will have access to a wealth of support from partners of the Belfast Accelerator including Pinsent Masons, Dell Technologies, Hiscox , Deloitte, Free Agent and Equifax.
The bank invested £400k last year to take the programme to the next level, with their new collaborative work space for businesses known as the Belfast Hub proving to be a great success when it relaunched in February 2019.
Applications to the Accelerator programme close on August 24. Those successful can progress through the programme up to a maximum of three times over a period of 18 months. Information on how to apply can be found here.
John Ferris, Entrepreneur Development Manager with Ulster Bank, said: “Some of our accelerator alumni have gone on to achieve international recognition and are now trading on a global scale. We want to attract more companies into the programme and equip them with the tools, knowledge and funding they need to operate on this scale.”
Now in their second term with the Entrepreneur Accelerator programme, leading cycling tech and data company See.Sense has found the expertise access given to them through the Belfast hub to be invaluable. Philip McAleese, who co-founded the company with his wife Irene, stated that it had been a transformational experience: “We have been helped to grow and scale international markets which had been a goal for the company for some time. Beyond that, it has also been very beneficial for staff retention and engagement. Our employees love coming to work in the modern, centrally-located office facilities provided and being part of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem has helped to boost enthusiasm while sharing ideas with those around us.”
The bank’s entrepreneurship team will host an open drinks reception on Thursday 15th August from 5pm in the Belfast Hub and anyone thinking about applying to the programme is encouraged to come along, see the facilities and talk to some of the current businesses they are working with about their own experiences on the programme. There will also be chances to meet the team and enjoy food and beverages.
Source: Written from press release
