We are excited to announce that Birmingham Enterprise Community (BEC) has launched a fund
raise that will support the growth of exciting early stage ventures looking for support within the
Midlands region by providing direct equity investment as part of the FORWARD Accelerator
programme!
FORWARD is a 6-month comprehensive package of support for early stage ventures to enable
growth and support the transition towards scaleup. Startups on FORWARD should have
demonstrated early traction, developed (or almost developed) an MVP and are working on an
idea that is innovative and scaleable.
The fund, which is to be raised through private investment under the Seed Enterprise
Investment Scheme (SEIS), will form part of a radical and comprehensive package of support
received by the businesses as they join the FORWARD Accelerator Programme, launched in
July 2019, which will also include access to a pool of international mentors, support from
partners such as IBM, Google & Amazon, workspace (powered by Alpha Works), coaching,
access to both local and global networks and support to gain follow on finance. Businesses will
be invited to apply to FORWARD from 2
nd January 2020 with the next programme commencing
in April 2020.
Since our official launch in January 2018 we have rapidly developed into a significant source of
support for startups within the Midlands region. The establishment of this fund signifies another
radical step forward for Birmingham Enterprise Community and the businesses that it serves. It
also sends out the signal that the Midlands is making serious moves in becoming a place where
you can both start and grow your business.
Anyone wishing to know more about opportunities to invest into the fund or who
is interested in joining the next cohort of FORWARD – please get in touch here.
