Exeter Velocities is open to all relevant startup teams, although if you are under 18 you will need permission from a parent or guardian. You cannot currently be employed by Exeter City Futures, Exeter City Council or any programme sponsors (if applicable) and you must be able to live and work in the UK for the duration of the programme.
The Applications Process
Applications for both Nurture and Advance accelerator programmes are open until 16 January 2019. Applications can be made via our online application form. Selection for interview will be by panel review of your application. We will be starting to interview applicants before our close date.
By making an application for our accelerator programme, we expect that you wish to test your Minimum Viable Proposition (MVP) in a live environment in Exeter. In part of your application, we will ask you to fulfil a Pilot Questionnaire about the ideal pilot you would like to run in Exeter. Following your application, if successful to interview, we will discuss your ideal pilot in further depth.
If we like your idea and you meet our eligibility criteria then we will invite you to pitch to us in our City Space in central Exeter.
If you want to discuss your idea with us before applying email us at hello@exetervelocities.com and we can arrange a time to talk.
The Assessment Panel
The assessment panel will be chosen specifically for each element of the programme and is likely to comprise representatives from the Exeter Velocities management team, the investor and sponsoring customer (if applicable). We may include a technical review of your application either as part of screening or by including a technical expert on the panel.
Our grant funding is made available by Exeter City Futures to support teams working on Exeter’s challenges, so the panel will also include Exeter City Council and a representative from the Exeter community.
FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for entry into the Accelerator?
Entry to the accelerator is open to all relevant startup teams of any age, although if you are under 18 you will need permission from a parent or guardian. The only real rules we have are that you can’t already be employed by Exeter City Futures or by Exeter City Council and you must be able to live and work in the UK for the duration of the programme.
Do I have to be from an established company?
No. A team may be made up of a group of individuals or can be from an existing legal entity, such as a company, LLP or CIC. If not already done then the team should be seeking to establish a new legal entity to deliver their solution.
I’m from a large corporate and we are interested to submit a solution, can we apply?
We know that lots of large organisations are considering the problems of urbanisation and you are welcome to participate in the programme and attend Demo Day. However, you won’t be eligible for financial support during the programme.
Your application form is really short, why?
Our challenges are complex and the solutions could be really varied; we want to appeal to those with early stage ideas as well as developed products. We just want to know a bit about who you are, what problem you are solving and how you intend to make impact on our goals.
I’m worried about sharing my idea, who will see my application?
We will only share details with members of our assessment panel and anyone helping us to administer the challenges so that we can make proper assessment and arrange interviews etc. You can read our privacy policy regarding information submitted through the website here.
The challenges are all related to Exeter, how does this relate to me?
Exeter is unique, but it also struggles with the same problems of urbanisation as many other cities across the globe. We are able to offer exclusive access to the City of Exeter for you to develop sustainable, impactful solutions that work, not only in Exeter, but across the globe.
Is this a full-time accelerator programme?
We want you to focus on getting your business or social enterprise going so we don’t expect you to spend all your time with us. Although you are welcome to use our hub space in the City, it is not a requirement. Delivering impact for the City and making sure the developed solutions solve our challenges is key, so teams will be expected to participate fully in the training and networking opportunities offered by Exeter City Futures as part of the accelerator programme. This will typically be once every fortnight. Without this level of engagement we won’t be able to take you through to Demo Day.
What support and training does the programme include?
They key offering of our programme is exclusive access to markets and buyers within the City of Exeter as well as access to data sets and assets that help you design and validate your product/advice. Our challenges are complex and varied and are likely to require solutions from a wide range of businesses and different stages of growth. Your team is unique and we will work with to determine a bespoke package of support depending on what you need, whether that’s marketing and branding, customer journey mapping, data analysis, or sorting out the legal and financial things.
If I enter the accelerator will I still own my IP?
Yes. Any information or data that you bring to, or develop while participating in, the accelerator programme will be owned by you or your team. We do ask that you make available to the accelerator any information or data that you derive so that we can build a better picture of energy use and vehicular mobility in the Greater Exeter area to support future challenges and cohorts. Our mission is to make impact on Exeter, so we want you to use your IP to benefit of the City, but if for any reason you chose not to do this then we may ask to be granted rights to use your IP to achieve the aims of the challenge.
How will I know if my application has been successful?
If you are offered a place in the accelerator programme (with or without funding) then we will issue you with an offer letter. This will outline our terms and conditions in respect of your participation in the challenges and the specific outputs that we will agree with you through the assessment process. Although we are unable to provide in-depth feedback on unsuitable applications, we are keen to ensure that we help you understand why you weren’t selected and to help you develop your ideas. Any rejected applications will be accompanied by a brief rationale and assessor feedback. The decision of the Exeter City Futures leadership team in all matters relating to a team’s application and participation in the accelerator programme, including their eligibility and suitability, is final.
Is there any other legal stuff I need to know?
The decision of the Exeter City Futures leadership team in all matters relating to a team’s application and participation in the accelerator programme, including their eligibility and suitability, is final.
If you are offered a place on the accelerator (with or without funding) then our legal team will send out an offer letter. This will outline the specific outputs that we will agree with you through the assessment process.
To apply fill in our online application form by following the link below.