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New incubator will support growing businesses in Peterborough with bespoke support and free workspace in the city.

Ambitious entrepreneurs in Peterborough and the wider area are invited to apply for a new Serious Impact incubator from Allia. Combining high quality one-to-one support, tailored to your venture, with free Hatchery work-space at Allia Future Business Centre Peterborough, the incubator is open to only a handful of applicants.

‘The programme is free to successful applicants, and we don’t take equity in the business, but entrepreneurs will need to show that they are ready and committed to growing their ventures’ said Paul Hughes, Director of Enterprise Support at Allia.

Businesses can be operating in any sector, from agriculture to healthcare, retail to manufacturing, although those businesses with the potential to make a positive impact on people, planet or place are especially encouraged to apply.

‘We’re looking for teams of two or more, with the potential to grow rapidly and create jobs and opportunities in Peterborough and the surrounding areas’ continued Paul. ‘Those who are selected will join a hand-picked group of like-minded entrepreneurs and ventures, and will be able to build, develop and consolidate their knowledge, skills and team, with bespoke help from our expert team of mentors and advisers.’

Included in the incubator:

• Free office space at Allia Future Business Centre for the duration of the 9 month programme
• One-to-one support from expert on-site advisors, who will work with you on all the key areas of your business, including sales and marketing, finance, product development, business scaling and much much more!
• Access to specialist mentors who have started and grown a huge range of ventures, and will share their experience with you to develop and action the right plans to make your business grow
• Access to all the other help and opportunities available from Serious Impact and Future Business Centre, including regular networking and training events

The Future Business Centre is already home to a number of growing and inspiring ventures, including Abax, Peterborough Reuse, Opportunity Peterborough and Paper Rhino. Also on site is the Innovation Lab, Peterborough’s only makerspace, and one of the best equipped rapid prototyping facilities in the UK.

The incubator is also supported by the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, which covers Peterborough, Stamford, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Ely, as well as Cambridge and South Cambridge.

‘We’re delighted to be supporting this exciting new programme, which will identify and support the region’s most promising ventures. We know that the addition of complementary Chamber of Commerce membership for the duration of the incubator will aid in their growth, offering access to important services and support for these businesses.’ Said John Bridge OBE DL, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce.

Entrepreneurs interested in joining this prestigious programme are now invited to apply online at www.seriousimpact.co.uk/incubate-peterborough by Friday 15 September. Finalists will be invited to pitch their idea on 26 September, where our judging panel will select a handful of ventures to accept onto the programme.