Celebrating the Accelerator News

To celebrate its 15th anniversary, Accelerator are hosting a launch party to mark the occasion and unveil its new and improved spaces.

Date: 14 September 2018

Accelerator, London Metropolitan University’s specialist business incubator, has undergone a refurbishment project to improve the space and the quality of programmes it delivers.

Based in London’s Tech City, Accelerator offers high quality office spaces, business support, guidance and mentoring to University students, alumni and staff as well as 30 early stage tech startups. The companies supported raised £14m in investment last year and make £21m in revenue. Accelerator has helped create hundreds of jobs since its inception in 2003.

The business incubator was the first of its kind in the area and remains a unique addition to one of the most vibrant areas of London. This year is the 15th anniversary of the University’s business incubator.

“The refurbishment project has been both exciting and ambitious,” said Toby Kress, Head of Accelerator.

“Society is changing the way it works. People no longer want one fixed space – they crave the flexibility and agility to work in a space which is creative, fun and adaptable to their needs.

“This applies to how businesses are run nowadays. People often want an affordable space which allows for collaboration and co-working and that’s exactly what we offer here at Accelerator.”

Accelerator offers a wide range of programmes to University students, alumni and staff with the aim to help participants launch their business ideas. Programmes include Launchpad, Big Idea Challenge, Quickstart and Foodie Founder. The programmes help to generate ideas, think about sourcing funding and help with market research.

Accelerator is also home to many start-ups. “Accelerator is a place where the community actually does matter,” said Nick Miller, Founder of Buzzhire, one of the start-ups based at Accelerator.

“It's one big family. People help each other out, no matter what you need, more often than not there'll be someone who can help. You have lots of flexibility depending what size space you need and you’re in the hub of Tech City and the people are great.”

A launch party will be held on Tuesday 25 September to celebrate the work the Accelerator has achieved and to mark its new chapter. Refreshments will be provided by some of the food businesses launched through Accelerator programmes, including; Fabamallow (chocolate coated vegan marshmallows) and Arctic Power Berries (protein power shakes).

The new ground floor space will formally launch on Tuesday 25 September. Tickets are free but must be booked beforehand on Eventbrite.