Introduction

Following the success of the past 3 CBA programmes, GLE is delighted to announce the commencement of the 4th Accelerator Programme

The CBA aims to support creative and innovative early stage businesses who are looking to raise finance and achieve substantial growth. The programme is funded by the London Development Agency and City of London, and is supported by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. It also has the support of UKTI, RBS, the Design Council, Harbottle & Lewis, and Kingston Smith. Thanks to these organisations, the CBA is free of charge to all participating companies.

Since its inception, the CBA programme has supported 180 entrepreneurs in the main workshop programmes and over 40 selected companies in the ongoing intensive support programme involving mini workshops and personal mentoring.

Who is it for…?

The programme is designed for early stage businesses with an established business plan and high growth potential, who are seeking relevant finance with a focus on equity.  All London-based companies are eligible to apply.

What are the benefits…?

As a result of the CBA, many paticipating companies have altered their business plan and strategy in order to improve their competitive positioning, and a number have achieved, or are in negotiations for, both equity and debt financing.

What to do next...

If after visiting this site you are interested in applying for the Accelerator programme, it is best to attend one of our awareness events (details can be found in the sub-section ‘Awareness Events’). Attendance to an awareness event is strongly advised, although not mandatory in order to apply for the programme. To apply, please return to the ‘Application’ section of this site in late August, when an online application form will be available.

 

LATEST INFORMATION ON THE ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME August 2007

We are delighted to announce additional support for the Accelerator programme from Google, Oracle and also BT. The 70 companies selected to attend the one-day workshop will have the opportunity to hear from David Rajan, Director of Emerging Business at Oracle, and Jeremy Ruston, Head of Open Source Innovation at BT. Those 15 taken onto the intensive support programme will also attend a workshop run by experts from all three companies.

 

“CBA is an invaluable tool – there are very few places for creative businesses to turn to when it comes to raising private equity and even fewer places that support and encourage creative business in such a focused, practical and helpful way. The workshops give you a structured programme to follow and useful tools in which to reassess your business. The mentoring is much needed one-on-one support and advice and the marketplace event is the culmination of the months of hard work where you get to (hopefully) reel in interested angel investors. We are so appreciative of all the advice and support we got from the CBA - we hope to stay in touch!”

Sascha Hecks, PIE Developments Ltd