The Future 20 incubator launches for start-ups that change the world
The search is on for 20 of the UK’s most inspiring start-ups tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Allia Future Business Centres, experts in start-up business support, has launched The Future 20: a no-fee, no-equity incubator programme offering bespoke business support to 20 ventures that aim to address and solve global and local challenges in an innovative way.
The successful start-ups that are selected will receive a 12-18 month bespoke package of strategic support and practical business advice, from Allia and a network of partners from across the UK tech, innovation and professional service industries. This includes mentorship from select entrepreneurs and angel investors as well as introductions to funders and opportunities to raise capital, plus advice on product development, go-to-market roadmaps and access to testing sites, together with free workspace and prototyping facilities.
The aim of the programme is to support 20 inspiring UK start-ups that address the UN Sustainable Development Goals by tackling challenges such as climate action, clean water and sanitation, food poverty, clean energy, responsible consumption, gender equality and well-being – to help them develop into sustainable businesses, scale and create maximum impact.
Emma Mee, Allia’s Future 20 Programme Manager, said “The problems the world faces today need more than out-of-the-box solutions. The members of our Future 20 programme will bring new passion and innovation to meet these challenges, and we must help them succeed. We will curate a completely bespoke programme of support for each one over the next 12-18 months to help them achieve their impact. Allia will draw on its own experience and skills together with those of our partners, mentors and through our network in Cambridge’s incredible ecosystem to accelerate their pace of growth and development. This is an open, collaborative programme – we’re excited to get started!”
Caroline Hyde, CEO of Allia Future Business Centres, added “This builds on our extensive experience in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses that create positive change. Now, together with key strategic partners, we are launching The Future 20 to find those who we believe can change the world and inspire others to do so. We are looking to leverage everything we and our partners can provide to ensure their acceleration and success in their ambition. Our partners represent some of the best sector specific and professional support available and we are delighted to collaborate with them all in this programme.”
Key partners on board to provide a range of support, resources and advice are: AgeTech Accelerator, Agri-Tech East, Anglian water, Aurora Cambridge, Cambridge Cleantech, Cambridge Wireless, Enterprise Europe Network, The Health Foundry, Innovate UK, Oxford Greentech, Stone King, Water Innovation Network and the Wellcome Genome Campus.
The UK wide programme is inviting start-ups to apply now, with a closing date of 31 May, for the programme to start on 21 June 2019. Start-ups will be supported at one of Allia’s three Future Business Centres in east London, Cambridge or Peterborough or through its network of partner locations nationally.
Further information and applications can be found at https://futurebusinesscentre.co.uk/future-20
