Rapid growth programme open for ambitious digital and tech businesses
Ambitious digital and technology businesses looking to achieve rapid growth can once again access support from key industry figures and innovators through a proven Accelerator Programme run by Nottingham Business School (NBS).
By Helen Breese | Published on 2 September 2020
Categories: Press office; Business; Nottingham Business School;
The Big House Accelerator Programme, now in its second year, is open to talented and passionate founders and entrepreneurs from the digital and technology sectors in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire who want to fast-track their ideas and businesses.
The programme offers high-quality, high-value, bespoke learning, regular mentoring and support worth over £10k, including access to deep-dive diagnostics, focused workshops, academic research and expertise, peer learning and meaningful networking.
Successful applicants will be guided through the Accelerator by experts from NBS and a carefully selected group of emerging and experienced digital CEOs.
Last year’s participants are now implementing what they’ve learned, with many already on a positive growth trajectory.
Ty Burridge-Oakland, co-founder and director of Product Development at artificial intelligence solutions company, Cognitive.Business, said: "As a result of the programme, we’re more prepared for the future. We’ve got a strong business plan in place, we’ve achieved Innovate UK funding, and are exploring phased equity investment. We’re more ‘business’ now – we interact better with people, position what we do with greater clarity and know better how to engage customers at different levels. Thanks to the Accelerator, we’ve been able to hit the ground sprinting.
“Conversations with other businesses have given us the opportunity to talk about different ways to develop our business. We even phoned one of our cohort for advice and feedback before an important business meeting – that kind of real-life peer support is invaluable.
“Our mentor was really good at balancing challenges with encouragement. This pushed us to think about things we’d not previously considered, helping us make the right decisions at the right time. For example, after prompting, providing consultancy services sooner in our business plan to open up opportunities for product development.”
Georgina Fairhall, whose business, Work and Communications Ltd (WAC), helps workers to track hours, keep on top of wages and manage bills, said: “The programme has helped me do things in the right order and talk to the right people which has saved me a great deal of time. I feel calmer and have a more systematic way of working, with a clear checklist to work through.
“People have noticed a difference in me and I couldn’t have anticipated how far I’ve come, so quickly. The Accelerator was just what I needed, when I needed it and WAC wouldn’t be at the standard it is now without the programme.”
Dr Lynn Oxborrow, Associate Professor in Small Business and Supply Chain Management at Nottingham Business School, said: “We have seen the participants from 2019 gain clarity in their strategies, grow in confidence and take great strides in growing their businesses.
“Now more than ever it’s important for businesses to be able to access the right support and this programme is designed to challenge participants, leaving them in optimum shape to achieve their plans for growth.”
For further information, contact The Big House team via email: or Tel: +44 (0)115 848 4042.
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Helen Breese, Public Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8751, or via email.
The Big House
Supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the East Midlands Engine, The Big House programme is made up of a consortium of partners, who are best placed to help lift potential ideas off the ground, support the start-up process, all the way to working with established businesses ambitious for growth.
Funding from the European Regional Development Fund means that most services provided as part of this programme are of no cost to eligible businesses.
The Big House is one of many projects which D2N2 has supported with European funding. Further details of these projects and much more, can be found on the D2N2 Growth Hub site.
About Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students.
NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.
The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.
It is one of the largest UK universities. With nearly 32,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. With an international student population of more than 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook.
The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was awarded University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards 2019.
A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 87% satisfaction score in the 2020 National Student Survey, above the sector average of 83%.