University of Leicester - Growth Accelerator for Social Entrepreneurs
Product Description:
Growth Accelerator Programme for Social Entrepreneurs, funded by UK Government via Leicester City Council. Its objectives are to provide tailored support to keep you in business, protect and create jobs, and to help you grow.
The second cohort is now accepting applications until March 2026.
The programme includes:
* Onboarding and auditing your organisation's growth potential
* Five 'one to one' business coaching sessions
* Online programme workbook and ‘Social Entrepreneurs’ podcast series
* Access to in-person growth and implementation training workshops
* Connection with groups of social entrepreneur peers, creating a 'Growth Circle'
* VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) sector specific fairs and hackathon events
When onboarding you to the programme, we will work with you to discover what you have done so far, the stage you are at, the challenges you are facing, and what you want to achieve from the programme.
There is no cost to you to participate. The full £5,700 programme cost of the Growth Accelerator is paid for by Leicester City Council funded by the UK Government.
Area of Expertise:
Protect and create jobs, and to help you grow.
Eligibility:
The Growth Accelerator is available to social enterprises (Community Interest Company, not for profit company, cooperative or charity), that have been operating for one year or more, and are based within the Leicester City Boundary.
Our funding agreement uses the term 'social enterprise' to include the following types of business:
* Where the social or societal objective of the common good is the reason for the commercial activity, often in the form of a high level of social innovation
* Whose profits are mainly reinvested to achieve this social objective
* Where the method of organisation or the ownership system reflects the enterprise's mission, using democratic or participatory principles or focusing on social justice
There is no single legal form for social enterprises.
Many operate in the form of social cooperatives, some are registered as private companies limited by guarantee, some are mutual, and a lot of them are non-profit-distributing organisations like provident societies, associations, voluntary organisations, charities, or foundations.
Application Process:
Call us on 0116 454 2917 or email us Growthhub@llbsp.org.uk