Cambridge’s Impact Accelerator seeks start-ups

Start-ups are invited to apply for the next cohort of Cambridge’s Impact Accelerator. Entrepreneurs who are creating new businesses that look to benefit people, planet or place can apply to join the three-month, equity free Allia Serious Impact programme.

Allia aligns its work to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to tackle global issues like poverty, climate change, and food waste. Allia Serious Impact has supported over 700 impact ventures to date; the next Accelerator cohort will support further entrepreneurs who are committed to addressing these global and local challenges.

New Accelerator Programme Manager Emma Mee says “We have seen a huge swell of impact ventures over the recent years that aim to improve the lives of others. Cambridge has a world-class ecosystem to nurture solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges; some may be simple, and others are at the pinnacle of technical innovation. We are keen to attract the very best of these entrepreneurs to the Accelerator Programme to support their entry to the markets and create the impact that is needed”.

Entrepreneurs will join an exclusive cohort of like-minded ventures with access to expert mentors. They will explore challenges that start-ups face such as securing funding, creating a sustainable business model and producing effective marketing. Most of all, participants of the Programme support each other and share experiences, facilitate introductions and champion each other’s success.  

Alex Murray, Managing Director & Co-founder of Hinton Bikes started his journey in the Allia Innovation Lab in Peterborough to create a prototype for his electric bike. After going through the Serious Impact Accelerator and Incubator programmes, he recently came 3rd in the finals of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship international competition in London, also winning a place to the international final in Shenzhen in mid-April.

Hinton Bikes create extremely light-weight, foldable electric bikes, contributing to a future with cleaner air in more liveable cities. These are the kinds of ventures that Allia strives to support, working to solve global and local challenges through effective solutions and transforming peoples’ lives.

Alex said: "Allia Serious Impact has been great for building really solid foundations for our business and creating opportunities for us to meet lots of interesting and varied businesses in Cambridge."

Startups especially encouraged to apply are those working in fields including (but not limited to):

  • Cleantech, Energy & Environment
  • Food, Agriculture & Agritech
  • Infrastructure, Smart Cities & IoT
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Ageing Population
  • Community & Social Inclusion
  • Education & EdTech
  • Accessibility

The Allia Serious Impact Programmes run in Cambridge, Peterborough and East London, hosting a community of successful start-ups all supporting each other in their endeavours to deliver positive impact.

Visit seriousimpact.co.uk/accelerate/ for more details and to apply. The deadline is 13th April.



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