Birmingham Enterprise Community launches accelerator programme

4 years ago

Birmingham Enterprise Community (BEC), a social enterprise creating a community of young entrepreneurs across the Midlands from a variety of backgrounds, has launched an accelerator called FORWARD, aimed at being one of the leading programmes of its kind across the Midlands. 

The scheme, showing startups what business support is available, was launched at an event called Collaboration NOT Competition. 

BEC has teamed up with co-working space Alpha Works in the city’s Alpha Tower on the project. 

The six-month programme includes: 

• Coaching and mentoring

• Events 

• Help sourcing talent 

• Finance opportunities

• Virtual resources via virtual pre-seed venture support programme AGORA 

• Collaborative workspace in floors 20-22 of the Alpha Tower, an award-winning Grade II space in the heart of Birmingham 

Alex Hough, Community Manager of Alpha Works said: “We’re excited to welcome the next generation of entrepreneurs in Birmingham. Alpha Works is the perfect space to be inspired while surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals from an array of sectors at different stages of their development. Our community includes all industries and sizes of organisation, supporting each other through collaboration and innovation, making Alpha Works the perfect space to grow and succeed.”

BEC CEO Daniel Evans added: “FORWARD will be a game changer in supporting entrepreneurs in the West Midlands. Our partner Alpha Works shares our vision and is ready to open doors to this region's young entrepreneurs.”

Naomi Watts, Midlands Entrepreneur Engagement Manager at Tech Nation, commented: "The FORWARD accelerator programme is exactly what our region needs. Birmingham is Europe's youngest major city, with under 25s accounting for nearly 40% of the population, so this is a fantastic initiative to help young minds to succeed in business and entrepreneurship."

ENDS

Notes for Editors 

• For interviews, photos or more information, visit http://www.birminghamenterprisecommunity.co.uk/

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About Birmingham Enterprise Community

Birmingham Enterprise Community CIC (BEC) supports emerging entrepreneurs and changemakers from across the Midlands. Formed in 2018 after a group of enterprising students from all 5 Birmingham Universities came together to discuss ways of uniting their respective student communities, BEC looks to create opportunities for individuals to develop as entrepreneurs, work on their ideas, expand their networks, collaborate with others and turn the ideas that they have for a startup or to make an impact into a reality. This starts with a number of grassroots initiatives designed to drive aspiration including talks, events, experiences and development opportunities. BEC has worked on addressing barriers to entrepreneurship by understanding the needs of its community to find those factors that affect accessibility to engaging in entrepreneurial activity and then working with thought-leaders and members of the community to find actionable solutions that create opportunities that are open to all.

Press Contacts

Daniel Evans

CEO

07931 090419

hello@birminghamenterprisecommunity.co.uk