Our programmes FAQs
Impact Accelerator and Climate Accelerator
Who should apply to the Accelerator?
Late pre-seed, or seed start-ups who have demonstrated traction and are addressing the most pressing local and global challenges. We welcome entrepreneurs who are looking to scale up their business with a real potential to generate jobs, growth and opportunities. We are also interested in founders who are addressing longstanding economic and social issues, especially those that have been or will be exacerbated by COVID-19. Your company must be operating in or benefiting the area of East London or Greater Cambridgeshire (Peterborough and Cambridge), or you must live in the local area.
Why should I apply to the Accelerator?
The programme is specifically designed with impact organisations in mind. We are intimately familiar with the challenges that both traditional start-ups and impact businesses face and have built a programme with you in mind. Our network of experts, mentors, and investors are committed to accelerating your business forward to address some of society’s greatest challenges. Our alumni have gone on to raise over £70m+ in funds to accelerate their impact.
How are the start-ups selected for the Accelerator?
Once you have completed the application form and we have reviewed your business, we’ll invite shortlisted candidates to an interview. Shortly after your interview, we’ll let you know whether your application has been successful.
Where do I need to be based for the Accelerator?
The cohorts for the Accelerators are based out of East London, Cambridge, or Peterborough, with delivery conducted in-person and online based on appropriate social distancing requirements and space availability. You or your company should be able to access one of our centres in the aforementioned cities.
Are you currently accepting applications for the Accelerator?
Yes! We have two major intakes throughout the year and are constantly looking for visionary founders who want to change the world.
What is the minimum commitment required for Accelerator?
You must be able to commit to attending, in-person or virtually, 75% (~20) of our workshops/sessions throughout the six-month programme. We are dedicated to following the appropriate public health guidance for COVID-19 and will maintain an ongoing awareness of the situation. Sessions will vary depending on topic but will on average occur twice per month. Dates for all workshops will be provided as early as possible, and additional one-to-one mentoring meetings (running throughout) can be virtual and scheduled at your convenience.
You must be able to share metrics around your progress during and after the programme for at least one calendar year.
What's in it for Allia?
We are dedicated to supporting founders and business owners amplify their impact. It’s what we do. Whether it be a local social entrepreneur or the next tech for good solution. Every venture’s work we support, goes towards our sponsors objectives of supporting a specific community or issue. Our partners are keen to see you make a difference in the world and have dedicated their resources to building out the various Allia programmes.
What types of businesses are accepted onto the Accelerator?
We look for businesses that are late pre-seed or seed stage, have demonstrated traction. They should be addressing local and global challenges, and looking to make an impact on people, planet or place. Maybe you’re tackling climate change, improving health and wellbeing, or addressing food waste. If your business is making positive change, then we’d love to hear from you.
Do you charge a fee or equity?
No. We are funded by various programmes including the European Union Regional Development Fund.
Grow Your Business
Who should apply to the 'Grow Your Business' Programme?
Local business owners who have moved past the idea phase and are actually trading. We do require that you are located in or serve the Greater Cambridgeshire (Peterborough programme) or East London area (East London programme).
Why should I apply for the 'Grow Your Business' Programme?
We provide 3 months of specialist support and the tools to help your local business thrive and grow. If you want to grow your business, we provide expert support to fit around your busy schedule to help you achieve growth.
What should I expect from the programme?
What you put in is what you get out. We aren’t able to Grow Your Business unless you apply the lessons learned in workshops and throughout our one-to-ones. If you are seriously dedicated to achieving something, we will be there all the way with you to help you accelerate your growth.
How are the businesses selected for the 'Grow Your Business' Programme?
We select businesses that are doing great things in their local area – and have a strong desire to grow, and (hopefully) create employment in the long run! You should ideally be located in Greater Cambridgeshire or East London, or have the intention of serving these communities.
Where do I need to be based for the Grow Your Business programme?
We run this programme both virtually and in-person depending on which Allia Future Business Centre is closest to you! Our programmes serve the Greater Cambridgeshire and East London communities. Our centres are based in Cambridge, Peterborough, and London.
Are you currently accepting applications for the Grow Your Business programme?
Our programmes accept applicants approximately 3 times per year (Spring, Summer & Autumn) so keep an eye on our news and social media for applications. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with when our applications open.
What is the minimum commitment required for the 'Grow Your Business' Programme?
You should expect to dedicate two ‘2 hour slots’ a week for the 3-month duration of the programme, as well as to be keen to do homework outside of this to scale up your business! The course time slots vary by location based on cohort availability.
We would also expect you to engage with your Business Advisor at least once a month, for one hour on a one-to-one basis to ensure you are getting the maximum benefits out of our experienced business coaches!
What types of businesses are accepted onto the Grow Your Business programme?
We welcome applications from all types of businesses – you could be running a café, a corner shop, a local garage, florist or photography business! You just need to want to grow.
Ideation and Validation
Who should apply to the Ideation and Validation programme?
Anyone who has an idea for a venture but doesn’t know where to start or just needs a helping hand in understanding the basics of building a business.
We would expect that you have not yet registered with any of the governmental bodies regulating the creation of enterprises, charities, and the like.
Why should I apply for the Ideation and Validation programme?
Building a venture is not easy, there are a whole host of challenges that will arise, and it helps to have someone by your side to give share an external perspective, give guidance on best practice and to help connect you with like-minded founders, mentors, and resources.
The programme is two months long and includes a series of workshops, a dedicated business advisor to help you navigate entrepreneurship, and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs all building creative solutions for Peterborough, Britain, and the world!
What should I expect from the programme?
The Allia enterprise support team will guide you through the tools and techniques to get a business idea out of your head, rapidly iterate on it and run it through some validation steps to see if it holds water. We will also give you helping hand to understand the basics of running a business.
How are applications selected to be accepted on to the programme?
We select applications from people with great ideas and the passion to turn them into a business. You should ideally be located in Greater Cambridgeshire area or have the intention of serving this community.
Where do I need to be based for the Ideation and Validation programme?
The cohorts for the Ideation and Validation programme are based out of Greater Peterborough/Greater Cambridgeshire area, with delivery conducted in-person and online based on appropriate social distancing requirements and space availability.
You should be able to access the Allia Future Business Centre Peterborough, London Road, Peterborough, PE2 8AN.
Are you currently accepting applications for the Ideation and Validation programme?
Yes – head over to the Ideation and Validation webpage for more information and get your applications in!
What is the minimum commitment required for the Ideation and Validation programme?
You should expect to dedicate 2-4 hours a week for the 2-month duration of the programme, except for the Minimum Viable product workshop in month 2, which will operate at a different time schedule. On occasion there will be homework tasks outside of the programme.
We would also expect you to engage with your Business Advisor to ensure you are getting the maximum benefit.
We expect you to attend at least 70% of the course content as it is critical to ensure you have a comprehensive picture of the issues entrepreneurs face.
What types of businesses are accepted onto the programme?
Open to all types of ventures emerging, whether they will be regular startups, charities, social ventures, or any other vehicle you can come up with!
We would expect that you have not yet registered with any of the governmental bodies regulating the creation of enterprises, charities, and the like.
Amplify
Will the programme take place in person or online?
We intend to hold the majority of sessions in person at the Future Business Centre, Cambridge, as we hope the face-to-face interactions between founders will be one of the most valuable parts of the programme. If regulations change, or for any reason it is required, sessions can also be hosted online via Zoom.
How much time commitment will the programme ask?
There will be a session held at the same time and day each week, for 2 hours once a week. We hope this is easier to accommodate in busy diaries! The programme lasts for 3 months, so will be a time commitment of 28 hours in total.
Do I have to be an impact business?
Yes, Allia supports all sorts of impact businesses, from med-tech to local charities. If your mission for positive impact matches ours, we’d love you to apply to join us.
How much is it?
Our programmes are completely free, and do not take any equity. How? We are funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and in return for their generous support, we agree to report on the impacts of our work, namely jobs that you go on to create, products and services launched to the market and money you raise through investment. Therefore, we do ask for this data from you as an update every 6 months – something we’re sure you’ll be willing to celebrate with us.