Accelerators as Catalysts: How we built a national startup ecosystem

Written By Mike Stephens

With a mission to accelerate 1,000 more entrepreneurs by the end of 2028, we knew that this goal was going to be in part resting on the execution of the UK Space Agency Accelerator. We knew that building a thriving ecosystem that attracts as much potential talent as possible, meant accessibility, fostering innovation and bridging the gaps across the country, at national level. With an ambitious vision, this is how we used our expertise to transform the vision into a reality. 

The Starting Point: Identifying the Need for a National Ecosystem

Every great movement starts with a spark. Ours started with an opportunity to nurture emerging growth by partnering with a government agency known for its wide-reaching impact and influence, the UK Space Agency.

We recognised that while entrepreneurial talent and potential was abundant, our previous experience let us know that startup ecosystems as a whole are fragmented. This was confirmed once we had started working deep within the UK Space Sector ecosystem. We had to first identify the gaps in order to develop our accelerator strategy.

We identified the following opportunities:

  • Connectivity: Local ecosystems have tremendous potential for growth, and fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing between regions presents an exciting opportunity to unlock even greater innovation and impact.

  • Uneven Resource Distribution: Founders outside major cities struggled to access mentors, investors, and infrastructure.

  • More Opportunities for Scale: Many startups lacked the support needed to transition from local players to national or global contenders.

Then our goal was clear: to create an interconnected, supportive, and inclusive ecosystem that nurtures startups from every corner of the nation.

Building Blocks of Success: The Core Components of Our Accelerator Model

What’s our secret sauce? It’s the intentional combination of structure, support, and scale. Our accelerator model rests on these core pillars:

  1. Customised Programmes for Founders
    Understanding that every startup’s journey is unique, we designed three tailored programmes to address the distinct challenges founders face - from the early ideation phase to scaling and growth. Whether it’s refining MVPs or navigating the complexities of fundraising, each programme is crafted to meet startups exactly where they are. With a human-first approach at the core, we adapt to the specific needs of each founder, creating a truly personalised experience. The primary focus for us has always been to enhance self-reflective and growth-oriented behaviours by focusing on mindset. This differentiated offering, rarely available in most regions, has positioned us to attract participants to a national programme with broad appeal and impact. 

  2. Regional Reach, National Vision
    We created a hybrid programme to ensure it was location independent and accessible no matter where in the UK. In previous cohorts we attracted and admitted entrepreneurs from 11 of the 12 UK regions. Recognising the importance of nurturing human connection while managing the logistics of a weekly delivery schedule was a challenging balance we’ve refined over eight years of running virtual accelerators. The programme was punctuated with our in-person event, Trajectory: A UK roadshow event designed to run in various locations across the country, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs and stakeholders to network and share knowledge. 

  3. Unparalleled Access to Mentors and Networks
    Relationships are everything. We brought together a network of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to offer hands-on guidance. Equally important, we fostered connections between startups, sparking collaboration and innovation. 

  4. Secret Sauce

With over 12 years of experience running accelerator hubs across the UK and beyond, we’ve mastered the art of executing at pace. Building a sustainable national ecosystem takes time, but with a 2.5-year programme, every moment counts. Our track record across 27 accelerators has enabled us to mobilise networks and deliver impactful programmes quickly and effectively. Over the past 2.5 years, we’ve launched 13 cohorts, with this momentum helping to cultivate a thriving ecosystem. None of this would have been possible without our exceptional team, whose expertise and drive turn vision into reality.


Lessons Learned: Challenges and Breakthroughs in Scaling Nationwide

Scaling a national accelerator programme wasn’t without its hurdles and learnings. Here are the biggest realisations we made in our journey: 

1. The Impact of the Hybrid Model

We began with a virtual approach but quickly realised that incorporating in-person elements was essential for fostering deeper connections. This led us to make Boot Camps in-person experiences, introduce Industry Days at organisations like Airbus, and include Acceler8 as a mid-programme gathering. We also ensured that Trajectory events were packed with opportunities for meaningful networking!

2. Cross-Programme Collaboration Drives Learning

Whether it involves individuals just starting out gaining insights from those further along in their journey, or participants in our Geo programme learning from alumni, the value placed on peer-to-peer learning is immense. To support this, we introduced Entrepreneur Insight Panels at Trajectory, featuring entrepreneurs who are slightly ahead in their journey - offering inspiration that feels accessible, such as Katie King from BioOrbit. Additionally, we incorporated alumni guest speakers into Acceler8, such as Bianca Cefalo from SpaceDots and established monthly virtual networking events for alumni. Furthermore, we launched Circle, a dedicated community platform designed to facilitate collaboration and connection among participants, enabling connections across our national ecosystem.

3. Re-engaging Entrepreneurs

A significant proportion of entrepreneurs who began their journey with Explore, Leo, or Geo have subsequently progressed to programmes such as Fusion: Connect with Capital, and GovBridge. This highlights the considerable value they attribute to the UK Space Agency Accelerator programmes, meaning follow-on support is a great way to maintain and grow an ecosystem. 

4. A Tight Knit but Fragmented Ecosystem

Once you become involved in the ecosystem, the community is highly interconnected, and accessing it through initiatives such as those from the UKSAA or local space clusters is relatively straightforward. However, the sector remains somewhat fragmented despite ongoing improvements. Entrepreneurs in our programmes deeply appreciate the connections we facilitate through signposting to other organisations, which helps streamline their journey and fosters greater collaboration.


Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

As we reflect on the journey so far, we’re energised by what lies ahead. The national ecosystem we’ve built isn’t just about startups - it’s about creating a culture of innovation, resilience, and possibility. We look forward to continuing on our mission to accelerate 1,000 entrepreneurs, using our findings to deliver on current opportunities for growth, maximising our reach across the nation. 

To every founder, mentor, and partner who has been part of this journey: thank you. 🚀

Mike Stephens