Creative Business Accelerator

Applications for the 2024 Creative Business Accelerator are now closed.

UAL’s Creative Business Accelerator is a development programme designed to support the needs of graduates who have an active business that is ready to grow.

The programme offers workshops and tailored support from industry professionals, mentoring, peer-to-peer coaching and a bursary to enable participation in the programme.

Originally developed by UAL Careers and Employability in partnership with Google for Startups, the Creative Business Accelerator will provide you with the tools you need to grow a sustainable and successful creative business and build professional networks.

Please read below for detailed information on how to apply.

What the programme includes

Through the programme you will learn valuable skills including how to:

plan strategically for growth
assess your business model and make changes to improve it
cost and price your work and plan financially
manage cash flow and budget
develop your brand and reach the clients you want
understand and value your IP
pitch and make a funding plan
manage your time effectively.

The programme will offer you the opportunity to:

develop your leadership skills
gain confidence in making decisions about your business
plan for business growth
identify potential markets and how to develop your business with these
increase your network of industry contacts.

A bursary will be awarded to allow participants to attend and take part fully in all aspects of the programme. The bursary will be paid at stages during the programme and is dependent on meeting key milestones.

Programme format

The programme will be delivered through a series of sessions which take place in person at London College of Fashion, Stratford East (some sessions may take place at other UAL campus sites).

Sessions include business development workshops, one-to-one tailored advice, peer coaching and pitch preparation. At the end of the series of workshops, there will be a pitch presentation with feedback from a panel of industry experts and investors.

You will also be matched with an industry mentor.

Dates and timings are to be finalised but sessions are likely to be in person every Thursday, 11 July – mid November, 11am - 3.30pm.

Who else will be on the programme?

There will be around 10 UAL graduates on the programme, with a mixture of product and service businesses. They will reflect the many courses and practices at UAL and will be working in different creative disciplines which could include; fashion, tech, social enterprise, art, design and many more.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply you must:

be a UAL graduate who has been awarded a Bachelor, Masters or PhD degree
have graduated from UAL within the last 5 years (between 2019-2023)
be a founder or co-founder of a business trading in the UK
be based in UK and able to attend in person and participate fully in the programme.

For you application to be considered you must:

already be running a creative business (which could be a social enterprise or commercial) or developing a product that has potential commercial intellectual property value
have spent at least a year on enterprising activity to develop your business/product idea
have developed some form of income generation for your business/product idea
have an existing customer/client base.

We particularly welcome applications from those currently underrepresented in the creative and digital industries. This includes students and graduates who are: disabled or have a specific learning disability; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic; LGBTQ+; are the first in their family to attend university; or are from a low socio-economic background.

What we are looking for

We are looking for participants who:

have plans for the growth of their business
show how taking part in the Accelerator aligns with their business plans and will benefit them
are committed to contributing to and learning from other Accelerator participants
have a business that is innovative or offers a unique creative product or service.

You must agree to

Commit to attending all sessions during the programme.
Commit to being active in developing your business between sessions.
Prepare for and follow up on all training and one-to-one sessions.
Commit to actively engage in creating a supportive community with other participants.
Complete all evaluation questionnaires.
Give back a total of 6 hours to student enterprise learning at UAL.

...it’s a new and very progressive way of learning business and it will take your understanding of your business and of yourself as entrepreneur to the next level

— 2023 participant

The sense of community within the accelerator was great. Being surrounded by fellow creative entrepreneurs, all passionate and driven, created an environment that was both inspiring and motivating.

— 2023 participant

How to apply and deadlines

Applications for the 2024 accelerator programme are now closed. Please sign up for the Careers and Employability newsletter to be informed of when applications open for the 2025 accelerator programme. Before you start your application make sure you have read all the information on this web page.

Step 1 – online application

Complete the application form. You will be asked to talk about:

your creative business
your plans for developing and growing it
how you will benefit from taking part in the Accelerator programme
how you will contribute as an active member of the group.

If you would prefer to submit a filmed application, please read these filming your application guidelines (PDF 85KB) before you make your application

Step 2 – submitting your application

Complete the online Creative Business Accelerator submission form.

You will be asked to attach your application form and can include one document of additional materials i.e. visuals/designs of your work.

Step 3 - shortlisting

Applicants will be shortlisted by a panel and those that best meet the selection criteria will be invited to a panel presentation.

Step 4 – interview and panel pitch

To assess suitability for the programme, shortlisted applicants will be required to pitch their business to a panel.

Step 5 – selection

Successful applicants will be invited to join the Accelerator. Before the start of the programme there will be an onboarding process.

Please note that all decisions are final.

Apply now using our application form (Word 53KB).

Supporting you

If you have any questions or believe there are any barriers to your participation in this opportunity or you have any access requirements you wish to discuss, we would be happy to talk to you. Please contact us in advance at enterprise@arts.ac.uk.

Meet the 2024 cohort

Antionette Yetunde Oni, AGREKA BUILD

AGREKA BUILD leads the regenerative material movement by converting agricultural byproducts into eco-conscious building solutions, advancing society towards zero waste and net-zero carbon goals.

Find out more on their website.

Cheuk Laam Wong, Looop Can

Looop Can is a frugal portable cleaning kit for reusable menstrual pads that empower menstruators to manage their periods confidently in the face of financial constraints, cultural taboos, and limited access to sanitation facilities.

Find out more about Looop Can on their website.

Hanan Tantush, Intotum

Intotum creates fashionable adaptive clothing with hidden functionalities that enables easier dressing and independence. We work collaboratively with the disabled community, including carers and medical professionals, to ensure their garments provide support and comfort without compromising on style.

Find out more about Intotum on their website.

Kyle Ho

At KYLE HO, we defy established norms and pioneer a progressive styling movement for men. Our design philosophy, rooted in an unconventional worldview, challenges the status quo and uncovers the extraordinary in the ordinary. This unique approach is the hallmark of KYLE HO's designs, setting us apart in the world of menswear.

Mariah Turner, Ms. Maskie

Ms. Maskie is a London based clothing brand created to reincarnate pre-loved (or pre-neglected) clothing items into beautiful, unusual, thought protecting headwear. Each maskie is one of one and handmade in London.

Find out more about Ms. Maskie on their website.

Mathushaa Sagthidas

An award-winning and London-based photographer/ director and set designer creating work and capturing culture and community.

Find out more about Mathushaa on their website.

Mohammed Samad, Kaam Kaaj

Kaam Kaaj is a typographic focused design studio based in London. We work with businesses and individuals to create visual identities for branding and campaigns. Clients and collaborations include Nike, Resident Advisor and University of the Arts London.

Find out more about Kaam Kaaj on their website.

Richard Farbey, Joshua Myszczynski

Joshua Myszczynski is a fine jewellery brand that champions contemporary renaissance, our pieces use technological innovations in combination with traditional jewellery making techniques to create detailed and figurative forms.

Find out more about Joshua Myszczynski on their website.

Sasha Grigorik, MOS

MOS uses natural materials to create one-of-a kind, immersive, botanical and floral experiences and concepts for brands, events and creatives that wish to evoke a deeper narrative and emotional connection.

Find out more about MOS on their website.

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