Scaleup programmes

Back to programmes

Programme

Entrepreneurs’ Forum: Scale-up Leaders’ Academy [2021]

Leadership Capacity

Key sectors

Impact ventures / Social Impact Life Sciences & Biotech Building & Construction Manufacturing / Advanced Manufacturing Creative, digital, film, games & media Professional services Defence & security Technology & Communications Engineering / Advanced Engineering Transport & Logistics Environmental Science & Technology Farming, fisheries & forestry Finance Food & drink Healthcare

The Scale-up Leader’s Academy is run by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum which is made up of 300 business leaders with a combined turnover of £2.6bn. The Academy, which was set up after attending SUI’s Driving Local Economic Growth through Scaleup Ecosystems course, brings together ambitious business owners from across the North East over six months to inspire, challenge, support and connect with each other in cohorts limited to 15 participants. It has since inception supported 49 scaling businesses.

In the cohorts, using a mix of scaleup coaching and peer mentoring, the Academy shares business expertise and provides inspiration. Themes covered include developing a high growth mindset, people, strategy and execution. The business leaders are supported to develop a one-page strategic plan.

In addition, participants are matched with an experienced entrepreneur who provides peer-to-peer mentoring support throughout the programme. In May of each year they are invited to attend the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s annual showcase Spring conference – Together We Can Take on the World – for a day of scaleup inspiration and can attend the Forum’s regular events programme.

The Academy programme has pivoted to online delivery during Covid restrictions but is now transitioning back to face-to-face delivery, providing there is no return to restrictions.

Entrepreneurs’ Forum: Scale-up Leaders’ Academy [2021] website