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FAQ

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How do I join?
There are three stages to joining the Academy:
1.Complete your application at www.f6s.com/acceleratoracademysemester2

2.If shortlisted, you will be invited to take the Applicant Assessment test and supply a 100 word bio on your business / idea, if successful you will be invited into the Academy. We share your skill assessment results with you, and use them to “match make” you with the most appropriate Mentor(s).

3. Upon acceptance you will be sent a Welcome Pack and an invoice for the course fee (£600+vat). Training, Mentoring and Investment presentations are available to all Academy members through the 12 week Syllabus. Mentors agree to buy 3-5% options in your business, providing ongoing support from the successful Mentors and ongoing access to the Academy.

Is the programme established?

We successfully launched a pilot in London in 2011 with 15 businesses participating, 54% pass rate, 75% acheived investor interest upon conclusion. We are building on this with the second semester in early 2012.

Where is the Academy based?
The sessions are hosted in Central London with Monday evening sessions and flexible mentor time.

What is the cost of the course for participants screened and selected for the 3 month programme?
The course is subsidised. The course fee is £600+VAT (approx £50 pwk). The course costs £2,000 to deliver but is underwritten by White Horse Capital and our commercial sponsors.

How do the equity options work?
Participant companies agree to sell between 3-5% (5% if pre-revenue, 3% if trading – specifically generating sales before the semester start date) of their shares as Options to the Accelerator Academy, divided between the Academy, course leaders and the Personal Business Mentor(s). This also allows ongoing access to the Mentors and Academy resources as the business grows. The Options are granted at a valuation set by the next external investment round.

Are applicants selected from firms yet to launch or will start-ups that have launched also be able to participate?
The pilot included both, although the programme is now focussed on start-ups that have already launched or are just about to launch and businesses that are up to one year old (or lifetime revenues of £250k), as thereafter the growth challenges change.

Who will participate?
Around 25 founders / entrepreneurs from start-up to early stage, high growth TMT businesses, profiled for pre-acceptance using a Manchester Business School process. This includes tech, social, apps, ecommerce, digital media and marketing businesses. Co-founders can also attend.

How often will events be run?
There are Preview events, then a 12 week syllabus running Monday evenings 6-9pm, plus 4 review weeks (16 weeks in total, running Jan-Apr / Apr-Jul / Sep – Dec), with Personal Business Mentors providing additional tutoring, plus participant groups meeting at least once per week outside of scheduled sessions.

Who are the Mentors?
Their biogs are included under Course Leaders. They have collectively achieved exits in excess of £300M from businesses they have created, built and sold. Their Mentoring is provided to all Academy Members, and they have the option to build an equity stake in your business.