10×10 off to a cracking start!

After providing support and facilitating workshops in other regions for their Accelerator Programmes, Russell and Michelle both felt Lincoln was ready for their programme. But when we announced Lincoln’s first Business Accelerator Programme back in June 2018, we weren’t really sure how well it would be received, and more importantly, were not sure if there would be enough businesses willing to put in the time commitment for such a programme.

Luckily for us, we had no reason to worry.

In December 2018, the application deadline arrived, and the 10by10 team – made up of Russell, Michelle, Amy and Lesley Crane from Knowing How – sifted through the various applications to find the ten companies who would be invited to take part in such a programme. It was a long, and difficult shortlisting process – so many businesses had applied, and with only ten spaces to fill, it was not an easy task. However, on Wednesday, January 9, the 10by10 Programme officially launched with the “Meet the Mentors” event – providing the opportunity for the businesses to introduce themselves and their business – setting out their ambitions and what they hope to gain from the programme – and the chance to network with the expert mentors who we have on board. During the event, the 10by10 Team paired up mentors with the businesses based on what the businesses hope to achieve and what expert knowledge the mentors have.

There was a real buzz in the room – businesses were making connections, the plan for the following ten weeks was announced and businesses were all commenting on how they were keen to get started.

And it didn’t end there.

Today, 22 January 2019, we are back in work following the second workshop of the programme – Goal Setting by Andrew Bailey, following last week’s workshop on The Business Model by Stuart Hartley – and the businesses are cracking on with their ‘homework’.

Feedback from all businesses regarding the workshops has been incredibly positive – stating the sessions have been “thought provoking”  and that they “probed into various topics not previously considered”.

It’s an exciting time for us here at Greenborough – 10by10 is proving to be a huge success, with businesses already seeing the benefits from being involved in such a programme.