2027 Programme Details
This programme, delivered by Mantle, aims to support early-stage social enterprises to build strong foundations for growth and long-term impact.
The accelerator's primary goal is to equip aspiring and emerging social entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to launch, grow, and sustain successful social enterprises.
Social Enterprise UK defines a social enterprise as:
"Social enterprises demonstrate a better way to do business, one that prioritises benefit to people and planet and uses the majority of any profit to further their mission. Social enterprises contribute to reducing economic inequality, improving social justice and to environmental sustainability."
Programme Format
A total cohort of 9 social entrepreneurs based across Oldham, Rochdale or Tameside.
Delivered across six online sessions, and two online one-to-ones:
- Monday 18 January 2027, 10am to 12:30pm
- Monday 25 January 2027, 10am to 12:30pm
- Monday 1 February 2027, 10am to 12:30pm
- w/c Monday 8 February 2027, (online one-to-ones)
- Monday 15 February 2027, 10am to 12:30pm
- Monday 22 February 2027, 10am to 12:30pm
- Monday 1 March 2027, 10am to 12:30pm
- w/c Monday 8 March 2027 (online one-to-ones)
Ideal Candidates
Passionate social entrepreneurs who:
- Have a business idea, or recently established social enterprise, that aims to create positive social, environmental, or community impact. See definition of a social enterprise
- Are in the early stages of developing their organisation and need support to strengthen their business model, plans, and approach
- Are facing common start-up challenges such as securing funding, refining their offer, building partnerships, or understanding their market
- Have a clear vision for growth and positive community impact
- Are committed to enhancing their technical skills in finance, strategy, marketing, and impact reporting
- Can commit to attending all online eight half-day sessions, and participating fully in the programme (dates above)
NB: As a candidate you must be either registered, or close to being registered, as a business with a clear idea of what you want to do. You'll be working on your idea throughout the sessions so you should be clear on this, with approval from any other directors etc. to be able to move it forward.
Application Process
Via an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, reviewed by a selection panel. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further information, or an interview. You'll find the link to apply at the bottom of this page.
Key Dates
Monday 2 November 2026 | Expression of Interest Applications Open |
Friday 11 December 2026 | Closing Date |
w/c 14 December 2026 | Selection Panel and decision to groups |
Monday 18 January 2027 | First Programme Session |
Topics Covered
- Social Enterprise and Business Models (including Legal Structures)
- Problem and Solution
- Social Impact
- Theory of Change
- Funding strategy
- Resilience and Risk
Target Participants
- Social Entreprise start-ups and early stage Social Enterprises
Benefits of the Accelerator Programme
- Develop a clearer understanding of what a social enterprise is and how it should function.
- Understand your social impact and how to measure it.
- Understand what a Theory of Change is, and how to develop one.
- Learn effective funding models and strategies to secure financial sustainability.
- Refine your business model to enhance resilience and scalability.
- Gain insights from experienced trainers and network with like-minded social entrepreneurs.
Challenges Faced by Ideal Candidates
- Turning an Idea into a Viable Enterprise: Uncertainty around how to develop a social enterprise idea into a sustainable business model with a clear value proposition and income streams
- Resource Constraints: Struggling with sustaining operations, strategy, and governance with inadequate resources
- Funding and Growth: Lack of funding to support growth and insufficient skills and knowledge to access this funding
- Capacity Building: Limited time, skills, organisational infrastructure, and capacity to deliver on ambitious growth and/or geographical expansion plans
- Operational Gaps: Gaps in understanding and implementing policies, HR, finance, governance, and other essential operational processes
- Impact Reporting: Challenges in capturing and reporting social impact effectively
- Marketing and Communications: Lack of understanding and capacity in marketing and communication strategies
- Legal and Compliance: Unfamiliarity with legal obligations such as health and safety, GDPR, safeguarding, and other regulatory requirements
Additional Characteristics
- Vision-Driven: An ambition and a vision for growth and positive community impact
- Committed Team: A dedicated founding team with enthusiastic commitment from external stakeholders including customers, delivery channels (e.g., public sector, schools), and corporate supporters
- Need for Skills Development: A desire to enhance technical skills in areas such as finance, strategy, marketing, fundraising, and impact reporting
How to apply
To submit your Expression of Interest for the Social Enterprise Accelerator Programme 2027, please complete the form using the link below. Your EOI will be reviewed by a selection panel, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further information or an interview.
Submission Deadline: Friday 11 December 2026
