GM Business Growth Hub has selected the 25 business leaders who will make up the first cohort for its ASCEND Scale Up Programme.
ASCEND is a personal development initiative tailored to help founders of high-growth businesses across Greater Manchester to scale rapidly and achieve their full potential.
Delivered in partnership with KPMG, ASCEND provides a unique combination of expert mentorship, co-working access in Manchester city centre and valuable industry exposure.
The first cohort of ASCEND will launch on September 24th 2024 and run through to March 2025. Over the course of six months, the entrepreneurs will receive in-depth support designed to propel their businesses to the next level.
Each participant will benefit from bespoke guidance, tailored growth strategies and individualised mentorship to foster business resilience and strategic scaling. They will be immersed in workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities that connect them with investors, industry experts, and business leaders.
In addition, as part of the programme, founders and their mentors will travel to the renowned Web Summit in Lisbon this November – one of the world’s largest tech conferences – offering a unique opportunity to connect with global thought leaders, partners and potential investors. BusinessCloud is set to report from Web Summit for the first time this year.
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The first cohort of the ASCEND programme showcases a diverse array of leading businesses across multiple sectors, including AI & robotics, cybersecurity, fashion & beauty, FinTech, renewable energy and Software as a Service.
Four of the standout businesses chosen to participate are Carrs Pasties, a renowned food manufacturer delivering high-quality, local bakery products founded in 1938; Nadine Merabi, a fast-growing fashion and retail company known for its ready-to-wear luxury fashion; Zally, a cutting-edge software development firm on a mission to eliminate passwords; and 30seconds Group, a dynamic PropTech and media company shaping the future of property technology and media industries.
The full cohort of 25 businesses will be announced ahead of the official launch on 24th September. The programme mentors – a group of seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts – will also be announced in due course.
“ASCEND is designed to transform Greater Manchester’s high-potential businesses into industry leaders. We are proud to be supporting this exceptional group of entrepreneurs as they embark on their scaling journeys,” said Kellie Noon (pictured), network manager for ASCEND.
“I’m confident that ASCEND will help them achieve their ambitions and contribute to the region’s future growth and innovation, and with such a fantastic group of founders joining us for this first ever cohort, I can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make on the region.”
The culmination of ASCEND will include a showcase of each business’s progress, highlighting the incredible growth and successes achieved throughout the programme.
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