This isn’t a sponsored post.
Via Daniel for Birmingham Enterprise Community
Birmingham Enterprise Community
launches FORWARD Accelerator
BEC creates the first student and graduate
centred accelerator in the region.
Birmingham Enterprise Community (BEC) have launched FORWARD, a six-month Accelerator programme. FORWARD aims to allow students, graduates and emerging entrepreneurs who have started a business to access the next stage of support they need to help them grow – creating a higher level of support for these entrepreneurs, not currently available to them. The name FORWARD is shared with the motto of the city of Birmingham.

Birmingham Enterprise Community Chair Daniel Evans said:
FORWARD has been designed specifically to fill the major gap we see in the region’s startup ecosystem when it comes to student/graduate entrepreneurship. The university-led programmes, such as BSEEN, do a great job of creating startups. FORWARD’s role is to help them thrive and grow!”
BEC have been working alongside partners including the National Association of College & University Entrepreneurs (NACUE).
NACUE CEO, Holly Knower says:
I am delighted to see the launch of FORWARD, an exceptional grass roots initiative to further enhance the development of entrepreneurs in the Midlands region. FORWARD will provide an innovative platform to foster innovation, collaboration and increased opportunities for early-stage ventures that wish to take their business to the next level”
FORWARD is a six-month programme covering a range of subjects including wellbeing, storytelling, finances, growth strategies and planning for the future. The package of support includes mentoring, coaching, co-working space, virtual resources, workshops and training, access to partner offers and finance opportunities. The programme ends with a demo day where the cohort will have an opportunity to pitch to investors.
The launch of the programme marks an exciting step for BEC and its mission of making the West Midlands one of the best plays to study and become an entrepreneur.
Applications run until 9th August with programme starting 9th September. Find out more here: birminghamenterprisecommunity.co.uk
About Birmingham Enterprise Community
Birmingham Enterprise Community is a student and graduate centred revolution creating a social enterprise and community of entrepreneurs and changemakers across the West Midlands. People from different backgrounds, experiences and cultures coming together to build on innovative ideas and building things that can change the world.