The second running of GM Business Growth Hub’s ASCEND Scale Up Programme is set to build on its inaugural edition in 2024-25.
Businesses are being urged to apply ahead of the deadline on Sunday 11th May, 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 Business Growth Hub looking for revenue-generating companies with teams of 10 or more.
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’s largest tech conference.
“We are going to improve the focus of the workshop content this time,” Kellie Noon, network manager for ASCEND, told BusinessCloud.
“It’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.
“We’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.”
She added candidly: “Everything 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.”
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.
The trio of established entrepreneurs will be joined by a new mentor who has experience of international work.
Noon added: “The new mentor is excellent, and has a history of working with GM Business Growth Hub as well, so it’s really good for us.
“They also bring lots of international experience, so we’re really looking forward to seeing how that can help to support our businesses.”
Businesses involved in the first ASCEND programme have benefited substantially from their involvement.
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 ‘enormous’ increase in turnover.
Tracy Johnson (pictured, left), CEO and co-founder of The Circle of Trust – which was part of the first programme – said: “What a team of people we have been on the ASCEND journey with!
“We started cohort 1 as strangers and became friends via GM Business Growth Hub. We have grown, collaborated, listened, adapted, helped each other through the challenges of being in business.
“The workshops, fireside chats, advice, connections, events, introductions, advice, trip to Lisbon, game changer guest speakers – from start to finish – on point.
“Sessions 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.
“Whilst 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.”
Businesses will once again get the chance to attend Web Summit in Lisbon, joining more than 70,000 attendees at the world’s biggest tech conference.
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Noon said: “It 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.
“They took contracts, had networking opportunities and took investment opportunities.
“This year they will also get a start-of-year residential, where they will get two days in the Peak District.
“Through 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.”
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