What do entrepreneurs need from a bank?

Entrepreneurial Spark is the world’s largest free business accelerator for start-up, early stage and growing businesses. It encourages entrepreneurship though the development of the right mindset and behaviours. Over 80% of businesses which have been through the Entrepreneurial Spark programme are still trading after a year.  These businesses have created 1,000 jobs and have been awarded 386 patents. Over 2015/2016 our partnership with Entrepreneurial Spark will see eight new business accelerator hubs, in locations including Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester and Belfast, with other locations to follow.

Entrepreneurs, known as ‘chiclets’, are selected through a competitive process to take part in the programme which is designed to help their business become more investible. It focuses on developing an entrepreneur to grow a successful business. For more information, go to www.entrepreneurial-spark.com

Successful candidates get access to a hub, known as a ‘hatchery’; a physical workspaces for an initial six-month period, where they are supported and challenged daily. This collaborative environment offers start-ups access to office space, superfast internet, a ‘boot-camp’, mentoring, regular events, workshops and training from both Entrepreneurial Spark and bank employees – all free of charge. No equity stake is taken in any of the start-ups.