Creative Business Accelerator

What the programme includes

Through the programme you will learn valuable skills including how to:

• plan strategically for growth
• assess your business model and make changes to improve it
• cost and price your work and plan financially
• manage cash flow and budget
• develop your brand and reach the clients you want
• understand and value your IP
• pitch and make a funding plan
• manage your time effectively.

The programme will offer you the opportunity to:

• develop your leadership skills
• gain confidence in making decisions about your business
• plan for business growth
• identify potential markets and how to develop your business with these
• increase your network of industry contacts.

A bursary will be awarded to allow participants to attend and take part fully in all aspects of the programme. The bursary will be paid at stages during the programme and is dependent on meeting key milestones.

Who else will be on the programme?

There will be around 10 UAL graduates on the programme, with a mixture of product and service businesses. They will reflect the many courses and practices at UAL and will be working in different creative disciplines which could include; fashion, tech, social enterprise, art, design and many more.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply you must:

• be a UAL graduate who has been awarded a Bachelor, Masters or PhD degree
• have graduated from UAL within the last 5 years (between 2019-2023)
• be a founder or co-founder of a business trading in the UK
• be based in UK and able to attend in person and participate fully in the programme.

For you application to be considered you must:

• already be running a creative business (which could be a social enterprise or commercial) or developing a product that has potential commercial intellectual property value
• have spent at least a year on enterprising activity to develop your business/product idea
• have developed some form of income generation for your business/product idea
• have an existing customer/client base.

We particularly welcome applications from those currently underrepresented in the creative and digital industries. This includes students and graduates who are: disabled or have a specific learning disability; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic; LGBTQ+; are the first in their family to attend university; or are from a low socio-economic background.

What we are looking for

We are looking for participants who:

• have plans for the growth of their business
• show how taking part in the Accelerator aligns with their business plans and will benefit them
• are committed to contributing to and learning from other Accelerator participants
• have a business that is innovative or offers a unique creative product or service.

You must agree to

• Commit to attending all sessions during the programme.
• Commit to being active in developing your business between sessions.
• Prepare for and follow up on all training and one-to-one sessions.
• Commit to actively engage in creating a supportive community with other participants.
• Complete all evaluation questionnaires.
• Give back a total of 6 hours to student enterprise learning at UAL.

How to apply and deadlines

Before you start your application make sure you have read all the information on this web page.

Key dates

• 20 May, 9am (BST) – deadline for applications.
• 28 May – you will be advised if you have been shortlisted.
• Week commencing 10 June – shortlisted applicants interview and presentation.
• 11 June – you will be advised if you have been selected for the programme.
• 11 July – Accelerator programme starts.
• Mid-November – Accelerator programme ends.

Step 1 – online application

Complete the Creative Business Accelerator Application (Word 53KB) form. You will be asked to talk about:

• your creative business
• your plans for developing and growing it
• how you will benefit from taking part in the Accelerator programme
• how you will contribute as an active member of the group.

If you would prefer to submit a filmed application, please read these filming your application guidelines (PDF 85KB) before you make your application

Step 2 – submitting your application

Complete the online Creative Business Accelerator submission form.

You will be asked to attach your application form and can include one document of additional materials i.e. visuals/designs of your work.

Step 3 - shortlisting

Applicants will be shortlisted by a panel and those that best meet the selection criteria will be invited to a panel presentation.

Step 4 – interview and panel pitch

To assess suitability for the programme, shortlisted applicants will be required to pitch their business to a panel.

Step 5 – selection

Successful applicants will be invited to join the Accelerator. Before the start of the programme there will be an onboarding process.

Please note that all decisions are final.