Y Combinator-like acceleration programme at Cambridge University (UK)

http://startuplift.com/springboard-accelerate-your-startup/

by pghimire • 16 years ago

20 5 16 years ago

evancaine• 16 years ago

direct link to the website for the accelerator programme: http://springboard.com/

auxbuss2• 16 years ago

5,000 GBP each over 13 weeks for 6% of the biz. 13 February 2011 deadline. Acceptance of single founders "highly improbable". Programme starts: 26 April 2011.

auxbuss2• 16 years ago

One possible problem for a 3 month programme is that most property rental in the UK is for a minimum of 6 months, and in Cambridge, will eat most of that £5k. They do say, however, that "We will team you up with someone who will help you find somewhere to live during the programme."

JonnieCache• 16 years ago

I'd suggest trying to convince them to let you live in the cambridge university accommodation. Worth a try.

Chris_Newton• 16 years ago

That seems vanishingly unlikely during university term time. Accommodation arrangements vary widely by college in Cambridge, but in-college facilities tend to be in high demand regardless.

More generally, does anyone know the story behind this organisation and programme? £5k/founder is nothing, particularly given the commitment for 13 weeks that the programme seems to require and the living costs in Cambridge, so the big question must be what is in it for the founders in terms of other value: advice, networking, etc. The site talks about how intensive the programme is, but is rather light on details, such as for example what the founders will really be doing for those three months and who is ultimately taking ownership of 6% of each company.

It sounds like this could be a valuable opportunity for young entrepreneurs to gain access to useful insights from those who have gone before, but from the limited information on the site and everything-newness of it all, I am at least slightly sceptical about the grandiose claims. 6% of a company is a lot to give up at such an early stage if you don't really know what you're getting into and there's no track record to consider...

Y Combinator-like acceleration programme at Cambridge University (UK)

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