Manchester entrepreneurs secure £10k funding boost

Six entrepreneurs have collectively picked up £10k in funding at the #GoDoAcceler8 event, held this week at the Entrepreneurial Spark hub in Manchester.

Winning startups at the business accelerator’s annual training and awards event included Bunting Software Ltd, a company that provides website personalisation software.

The firm scooped up £3000 after being identified as the best performing company of the 80 businesses, or ‘Chiclets’, that joined the Entrepreneurial Spark ‘hatchery’ on a six-month programme in February.

Elsewhere, Clever Cogs Learning Ltd and Foodinate both secured £2000. Clever Cogs provides pop-up early learning services, while Foodinate is a social enterprise that teams up with restaurants to reduce food poverty.

Working alongside partners KPMG and NatWest, Entrepreneurial Spark has so far provided support, office accommodation and mentoring services for more than 650 UK businesses.

Jim Duffy, the CEO of Entrepreneurial Spark, commented: “#GoDoAcceler8 is an exciting stage in the Entrepreneurial Spark programme.

“The progress we see is incredible and it’s hugely rewarding to watch entrepreneurs who joined us three months ago often unable to clearly articulate their business idea stand up and deliver a winning pitch.”

He added: “Our Chiclets have raised more than £45m in investment to date, and #GoDoAcceler8 is an important stage in each business’ growth as they look to scale up and build incredible businesses.”

Gentlemen Clothing Ltd was another winner at the event, taking in £1000. The firm, which trades as We Are Gntlmen, is a clothing retailer with a focus on smart and casual menswear.

NatWest’s entrepreneurial development manager, Gemma Kirby, said: “The Chiclets have shown a tremendous amount of passion, creativity and commitment to their businesses.

“It can be daunting starting your own business but the entrepreneurs working in the Manchester Hatchery have had fantastic support from all the partners involved and are proving to be a such a positive reflection of the city’s vibrant startup community.”

A further £1000 was awarded to surveying firm All Survey Ltd and social enterprise Women Climb.

KPMG’s head of enterprise for the North, Jonathan Boyers, said: “The #GoDoAcceler8 events are the first opportunity for Chiclets to really test their mettle and demonstrate the progress they have made since embarking on the Entrepreneurial Spark programme.

“Once again, we were not disappointed.”