Launching the ‘Accelerator’ Programme

The Accelerator programme is led by East Midlands Chamber and funded through a proportion of the District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation. The programme will enable businesses in Newark and Sherwood to access two separate strands of support through both the ‘Net Zero Accelerator’ and the ‘Innovation Accelerator’ .

The Net Zero Accelerator will support businesses to reduce the cost of their energy bills and improve energy efficiencies through access to a variety of workshops, training courses and 1-2-1 bespoke consultancy opportunities to support businesses at any stage or level of their sustainability journey. Topics will include themes such as energy efficiency, waste management and Investors in the Environment. The programme will also support businesses to develop comprehensive energy audits and de-carbonisation plans.

The Innovation Accelerator is targeted at new high-growth and scale-up businesses, providing advice and support from Innovation and Technology Specialists. Businesses will also have access to growth vouchers and advice on applying for and accessing potential capital grant funding.

The online information event, taking place on 27 September, will provide further details of how businesses can benefit from the programme and provide an opportunity to ask questions relevant to their Net Zero or Innovation goals.

Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am really excited that we are able to bring this Accelerator Programme to businesses across Newark and Sherwood in partnership with East Midlands Chamber.

“Businesses acknowledge the need to move to a more sustainable way of working; however, knowing where to begin and what steps are needed can be challenging. Through the Net Zero strand of the Programme, businesses will be able to receive specialist support to help them progress to their Net Zero targets.

“In addition, the Innovation Accelerator will provide an opportunity for those aspiring businesses in the district who could benefit from some support and advice from innovation specialists to take their businesses to the next level or to progress an exciting idea.

“I encourage anyone who would like to hear more about the exciting opportunities available through the Accelerator Programme to join our online information event on Wednesday, 27 September.”

Diane Beresford, Deputy Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, added,

“The Accelerator programme has been carefully designed to provide businesses across the district with the right support, at the right time. At the heart of the project is a team of locally based Advisers and Specialists, employed by the Chamber, who will offer high-intensity support to businesses seeking to grow, create new jobs or exploit technology to improve performance. Working with an adviser or specialist will be a key ingredient for businesses interested in taking advantage of Accelerator support and a diagnostics report will show them where best to point their energies.”

If you are unable to attend the information event and would like to learn more about the Accelerator Programme, please email: Hannah.Kerridge@emc-dnl.co.uk