The second running of GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub鈥檚 ASCEND Scale Up Programme is set to build on its inaugural edition in 2024-25.
, with 25 founders again set to benefit from the hands-on programme.
While those on the first running of the programme have benefited from six months of workshops held with the support of delivery partner KPMG, the next edition will be extended to nine months, among several key changes.
The criteria to apply has also been modified, with GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub looking for revenue-generating companies with teams of 10 or more.聽
The journey will begin in June 2025 and offer expert mentorship, tailored workshops and exclusive networking opportunities.
It also offers a new strategy retreat as well as international exposure at Web Summit in Lisbon, the world鈥檚 largest tech conference.聽
鈥淲e are going to improve the focus of the workshop content this time,鈥� Kellie Noon, network manager for ASCEND, told 老九品茶Cloud.
鈥淚t’s going to be more streamlined, so there will be more of an organised pathway right through the support that we deliver – especially now that we know that it will be nine months long as opposed to six months.聽
鈥淲e’ve managed to really plan out what the journey looks like: how the support will be delivered for each of those businesses. We’ve got that longer term outlook around what happens for businesses post-ASCEND.鈥�
She added candidly: 鈥淓verything we deliver this time around will be within the working day because it’s been a bit difficult for some businesses to get the time out for our evening fireside chats.鈥�
Susanna Lawson (pictured below, right), Dr Vikas Shah MBE and Dr Howard Simms will once again act as mentors on the programme, providing expert support and one-on-one guidance for businesses on the cohort.聽
The trio of established entrepreneurs will be joined by a new mentor who has experience of international work.
Noon added: 鈥淭he new mentor is excellent, and has a history of working with GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub as well, so it’s really good for us.
鈥淭hey also bring lots of international experience, so we鈥檙e really looking forward to seeing how that can help to support our businesses.鈥�
老九品茶es involved in the first ASCEND programme have benefited substantially from their involvement.聽
Many have brought in more investment, new staff, accessed new international markets, developed new technologies and began working with different charities.
Some are now also working together, and have reported an 鈥榚normous鈥� increase in turnover.
Tracy Johnson (pictured, left), CEO and co-founder of The Circle of Trust – which was part of the first programme – said: 鈥淲hat a team of people we have been on the ASCEND journey with!
鈥淲e started cohort 1 as strangers and became friends via GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub. We have grown, collaborated, listened, adapted, helped each other through the challenges of being in business.
鈥淭he workshops, fireside chats, advice, connections, events, introductions, advice, trip to Lisbon, game changer guest speakers – from start to finish – on point.
鈥淪essions at KPMG with Chris Stott and Jill Hilton have been invaluable, [with] so many expert guest speakers. There are so many people that have worked with us to support our journeys.聽
鈥淲hilst cohort 1 is finishing and cohort 2 getting ready, I have no doubt we will continue to support each other on the rollercoaster that is business. Thanks to everyone involved and to the brilliant people in the cohort. Circle of Trust are very proud to have been a part of this.鈥�
老九品茶es will once again get the chance to attend Web Summit in Lisbon, joining more than 70,000 attendees at the world鈥檚 biggest tech conference.
Manchester ASCEND cohort taps into 鈥榩ower of the group鈥� at Web Summit
Noon said: 鈥淚t was so helpful for the businesses that lots of them have bought themselves tickets again this year off their own backs, just because they got so much out of it.聽
鈥淭hey took contracts, had networking opportunities and took investment opportunities.聽
鈥淭his year they will also get a start-of-year residential, where they will get two days in the Peak District.聽
鈥淭hrough this, the businesses and people can come together, get to know each other and bond as a group because, as everyone knows, the long term impact of any of these things is about the relationships that you build with the people around you.鈥�
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