We started transforming South Yorkshire!
After more than a year of researching, discussing and planning, our latest accelerator Transform SY officially started on Monday, January 10th. We welcomed 19 South Yorkshire entrepreneurs to our first Boot Camp in the region, starting a 6-month journey together.
It wasn’t an easy road since we joined TEAM SY as one of the accelerators on their project to create a viable tech ecosystem in South Yorkshire. Launching into a new market always feel slow to start with, and we were grateful to partners and supporters for spreading the word as application numbers picked up in the middle of December. We found a lot of confusion about what an accelerator is, how it differed from other support, and how it could help. However, a proactive marketing effort and a lot of help from local stakeholders helped fill our diaries with interviews with some great founders. After careful consideration and a rigorous decision-making process, we ended up selecting Transform SY’s first cohort, comprised of 19 entrepreneurs (17 solo + 2 from the same business).
We are starting with Boot Camp Week - the very important first experience where the entrepreneurs meet each other, and establish the rhythm of the programme. We get all foundations in place so the next 6 months are as productive and fulfilling as they can be.
Transform SY will immerse founders in an intensive 6-month experience, using techniques honed from 40,000 hours of deep interaction with entrepreneurs globally. The accelerator is free of charge and no equity will be taken, to remove any financial barriers to participation. Participants will improve their ability and performance based on 4 outcomes:
● Mindset – Developing the way they think to create ambitious leaders
● Business – Creating a sustainable growth engine
● Funding – Exploring opportunities within, but also beyond private investment
● Community – Nurturing a network that transcends geography and is formative for future success and collaboration
Here’s what Ceri Batchelder, Super Connector for Team SY and one of our most involved partners, said about Transform SY’s start: ‘Having seen the Transform SY programme develop, I can't wait to meet the 18 entrepreneurs who have successfully applied and will join this week. Through the experience of the Entrepreneurial Spark team and the mentors, the entrepreneurs will be guided on accelerated growth journeys to take their businesses to the next level. Transform SY brings an important new dimension to tech business support in South Yorkshire and I'm looking forward to seeing the impact.’
And here’s a quote from Steve Lyon, Regional Executive from UKSE - yet another great partner to Transform SY: ‘We are delighted that entrepreneurs across South Yorkshire have taken advantage of the accelerator scheme, Transform SY will further cement the region as the place to be for tech enabled businesses spanning a whole range of sectors.
We are proud at UKSE to be supporting the project and we are thrilled to see 18 entrepreneurs begin the 6-month programme, we can’t wait to see their progression.
Businesses have an increased optimism for 2022, as they look for avenues to facilitate their growth or kickstart operations – Transform SY is set to be a key player in this.’
We recognized the immense potential that South Yorkshire carries as a tech and entrepreneurial hub and believe that by bringing the experience and expertise of the Entrepreneurial Spark team, we can have a real impact on the business ecosystem in the region. Our goal is to create the next entrepreneurial leaders in South Yorkshire, and I am confident that any of the 18 founders that is joining us on the first cohort can and will become one. Stay tuned for updates!