WE Accelerate
A six-month business coaching and peer mentoring programme focused on helping you get investment ready.
Applications for 2021/22 are now closed.
Sponsored by:
What is WE Accelerate?
Today, women entrepreneurs continue to face barriers in accessing capital to grow their business. There is a significant drop-off in support for founders at pre-seed stage and women’s average starting capital is 50% less than men.
Our brand-new programme, WE Accelerate, responds to these findings, and helps bridge the gap in support between pre-accelerator and seed stage.
Following the success of WE Innovate, Imperial Enterprise Lab continues to support women entrepreneurs in their next chapter. The programme will target women-led ventures working on cutting edge technology and innovative ideas that have demonstrated significant customer validation and tested prototypes.
Open to Imperial students, graduates and alumni. This programme will accelerate access to further investment through coaching and mentoring, open access content and investor networking events.
WE Alumni will gain access to £5K grant fund, 1:1 business coaching and expert support.
Women-led ventures from other Imperial accelerator programmes will gain support through facilitated peer coaching sessions and an opportunity to meet investors.
Learning outcomes
Validate problem-solution fit
Develop a structured business development / sales plan
Establish a complementary team in place with technology and business as well as team diversity
Enhance prototyping with technological components and features
Complete business model including pricing, customer feedback, marketing, sales and IP
Develop a pitch deck that is tested and fine-tuned which includes a focus on business potential and financials to attract investors
Entry requirements
- Founder/Co-Founder identifies as a women
- Team lead must be a current undergraduate and post-graduate student at Imperial College London OR must’ve graduated within the last three years (since October 2018).
- Ventures have to be at pre-seed looking to raise investment within the next 6 to 12 months with significant customer validation, prototyping track record and raised funds.
- STEM and consumer focused ventures.
- Team has previously participated in a pre-accelerator programme such as WE Innovate, VCC, Techcelerate or equivalent external programme.
- We strongly encourage underrepresented founders/co-founders to apply.
Key dates
December 2021
WE Innovate Alumni:
1:1 Business Coaching – you’ll need to book your 45-minute slot in advance.
Non-WE Innovate Alumni:
Group Peer Mentoring – book a 1.5 hour facilitated peer mentoring slot in advance.
February 2022
WE Innovate Alumni:
1:1 Business Coaching – you’ll need to book your 45-minute slot in advance.
1:1 Expert in Residence – book a 45-minute slot with an IP expert.
Non-WE Innovate Alumni:
Group Peer Mentoring – book a 1.5 hour facilitated peer mentoring slot in advance.
March 2022
WE Innovate Alumni:
1:1 Business Coaching – you’ll need to book your 45-minute slot in advance.
1:1 Expert in Residence – book a 45-minute slot with a sales and negotiation expert.
Non-WE Innovate Alumni:
Group Peer Mentoring – book a 1.5 hour facilitated peer mentoring slot in advance.
April 2022
WE Innovate Alumni:
1:1 Business Coaching – you’ll need to book your 45-minute slot in advance.
1:1 Expert in Residence – book a 45-minute slot with a team building expert.
Non-WE Innovate Alumni:
Group Peer Mentoring – book a 1.5 hour facilitated peer mentoring slot in advance.
May 2022
WE Innovate Alumni:
1:1 Business Coaching – you’ll need to book your 45-minute slot in advance.
1:1 Expert in Residence – book a 45-minute slot with a finance expert.
Non-WE Innovate Alumni:
Group Peer Mentoring – book a 1.5 hour facilitated peer mentoring slot in advance.
June 2022
WE Innovate Alumni:
1:1 Business Coaching – you’ll need to book your 45-minute slot in advance.
1:1 Expert in Residence – book a 45-minute slot with a finance expert.
Non-WE Innovate Alumni:
Group Peer Mentoring – book a 1.5 hour facilitated peer mentoring slot in advance.
All:
Final Showcase and Investment Fireside Chat with Investors event.
FAQs
Can I submit several projects?
Yes! As long as you’ve done the required research on them all (see our Entry Requirements 👆) you can submit several ideas.
I’ve submitted my application, but haven't received a confirmation email. Should I have?
When can I expect a reply regarding my application?
We aim to notify all applicants of their status by Monday 22 November 2021.
What are the Terms and Conditions?
You can find the programme Terms and Conditions here.
How to apply
Applications for the 2022 cohort are now closed.
