About the programme
FastForward, the UK's Pre-Accelerator Programme (FFWD for short) is an initiative backed by The Accelerator Network and Capital Enterprise to prepare startup teams for first funding and successful application and entry to leading accelerators.
D elivered in one-day sprints, over a 6-week period, this interactive, hands-on programme is designed to cover key topics such as Tech, Marketing, Finance, and much more, using a blend of expert speakers and professional industry mentors.
The programme runs twice a year, with a spring and summer intake, participating teams will come together once a week for an action-packed day of learning and doing. Over the course of the programme, participating teams will complete weekly business sprint sessions to fast track their ideas into viable startup ventures.
Our approach comprises of an eclectic toolkit which combines the best aspects of Lean Startup, Design Thinking, “MBA” analysis, common sense and street smarts. Ultimately, investors prefer evidence to talk, our programme will help you to build your credibility as a team by making sure you can show investors as much as the opportunity as possible instead of merely telling them.
From 2019 FastForward is part of the OneTech initiative with support from founding sponsor JP Morgan
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Week 1 | What’s your problem? | Sprint session: Define your minimum viable segment and the job you’ll do for them |
Week 2 | How are you going to solve it? | Sprint session: Design your value proposition and build a minimum viable product (MVP) |
Week 3 | How will you find customers? | Sprint session: Design and test your marketing channels |
Week 4 | What’s the plan of attack? | Sprint session: Design your operations and begin recruiting the resources and partners you need |
Week 5 | What are your financial drivers? | Sprint session: Identify the key financial drivers and metrics for your business |
Week 6 | How will you convince investors? | Sprint session: Learn the basics of venture funding and craft a compelling pitch |
SESSION STRUCTURE
8.30am – 10.30am | Pitch your progress | All companies pitch their solution to the cohort and receive tailored feedback on their progress each week |
10.30am – 12.00pm | KeyNote Speaker | Pragmatic and interactive presentations delivered by field experts |
1.00pm – 5.00pm | Mentoring Speed date | Each company spends 1:1 time with 4/5 mentors each week to receive guidance on specific challenges/needs |