Entrepreneur Accelerator

We aim to #PowerUp your business whatever stage you are at.

Therefore we offer two separate core programmes for entrepreneurs:

·         Business Builder

·         Accelerator

Business Builder is a bespoke, self-serve digital learning journey for early stage start-ups. 

It offers entrepreneurs:

·         An online learning portal

·         Webinars and digital workshops

·         A Facebook community

Business Builder is also complemented by a variety of events, which are run by our Local Enterprise Managers and other local partners.

Accelerator is a six-month programme for entrepreneurs with high growth businesses who are looking to scale up.

Entrepreneurs can progress through the six month programme up to a maximum of three times, making 18 months in total.

Designed to ensure that businesses get the best chance to succeed, Accelerator entrepreneurs get:

·         Free office space in a state of the art environment

·         Wi-Fi and printing

·         1:1 coaching

·         Access to business mentors

·         Access to legal and tech advice from our partners

·         Access to our unrivalled networks and supply chains

·         Bespoke events

Both Accelerator and Business Builder are fully-funded for you. We do the funding, you do the growing and we don’t take any equity in any business.

In 2018 we launched our specialist Fintech Accelerator in four of our hubs: Bristol, Edinburgh, London and Manchester.

Like all our programmes the Fintech programme is fully funded and we take no equity in any business.

All we ask is that you work as hard as we do to make the most of this opportunity to grow your business.

Fintech Accelerator businesses get:

·         1:1 coaching with our experienced staff

·         A technology review and sales strategy analysis by Dell Technologies

·         A review of your IP from our legal partner, Pinsent Masons

·         Desk space in a Ulster Bank Accelerator hub with access to hot desking across 11 other UK locations

·         A product aligned Ulster Bank mentor

·         Bespoke webinars and Fintech networking events

·         An investment strategy review

·         International networking opportunities

·         Opportunities to pitch your business to Ulster Bank Innovation teams at a unique end of intake demo day

We have set criteria that we use to assess your suitability and that of your business to join the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator, Business Builder or Fintech Accelerator.

What we judge you on is simple and directly related to what will be asked of you on the programme. We want to make sure we can get the best out of you so that you can get the best out of us.

The kinds of things we consider are:

• Are you the owner or decision maker in your business?
• Are you working full time on this business?
• Do you know there are customers who want your product or service?
• Do you employ staff?
• Are you aiming to build your team?
• Are you looking to grow or scale your business?
• If your business is already growing are you committed to accelerating that growth?

Please note however that there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. These are just the principal things we need to know about. So please bear these things in mind if you apply.

They will also help us determine whether your business is better suited to our Business Builder, Accelerator or Fintech Accelerator.

If it's our Fintech Accelerator you're interested in, your business needs to be rooted in financial technology.

We have created a world-class entrepreneurship proposition with 12 hubs covering all four nations of the UK.

We realise that this does not cover every city or every part of the UK, but the hubs are also true centres of entrepreneurial activity for the regions they represent.

Applications are welcome from all over the regions where the hubs are based. We don’t require that entrepreneurs live within a certain distance of a hub, but we do expect commitment to the programme, which may be dictated by potential travelling times.

You don’t need any funding because all our programmes are completely free. Even better we don’t take any equity in any business we work with.

Our current Accelerator programmes are open to Ulster Bank business customers only (as at the programme start date). If you are not yet a customer but would like to learn more visit our Products and Services page.

If you have an idea for a business and are serious about putting it into action or you are looking to validate a business you have just started, our Business Builder can help you take your next crucial steps.

Business Builder is an intensive, eight-week programme.

It offers entrepreneurs:

·         An introductory ‘Ignition’ event

·         An online learning portal

·         Webinars and digital workshops

·         Celebratory wrap-up event

Address

Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator
Belfast Hub
1st Floor, Donegall Square East
Belfast
BT1 5UB

To book a hub tour visit - Hub Events