Applications for Huckletree’s Alpha Accelerator are open

Co-workspace accelerator, Huckletree, has opened applications for their pre-seed Accelerator Programme for startups with at least one founder from an underrepresented background based in the UK and Ireland.

The ‘Urban Futures’ theme for 2022 centres around the future of urban living. Huckletree is calling for applications from pre-seed startups who are focused on building tech solutions that will help cities around the world run more efficiently and sustainably. This includes areas like energy, transportation, mobility, emissions, cloud based solutions for smart cities and building design and structure.

The current urban population around the world is 55%, with research by the UN showing this figure could rise by as much as 68% by 2050. These alarming data figures showcase the urgent need for urban innovation and re-thinking human existence in these areas, and Huckletree is focusing both their programming and events firmly towards addressing the challenge.

Alpha Accelerator

Huckletree’s Alpha Accelerator programme is a 12-week pre-seed programme that is exclusive to teams with at least one founding member from an underrepresented group based in the UK and Ireland. The intensive programme assembles industry-leading mentors and serial entrepreneurs to lead the cohort through rigorous preparation for series A funding, including weekly workshops, 1 to 1 sessions with investors, and group mentoring. Then, at the close of the 12-week programme, the cohort will pitch to 100+ investors at an investor expo.

The Urban Futures theme in 2022 will be Alpha’s ninth year running, this time focusing on building more sustainable cities. To date, the pro-bono programme has seen eight cohorts raise a combined £15m+ in funding, create 250+ jobs, and go through 2 acquisitions. Crunchbase recently named the programme as one of the top 100 accelerators in the world. Recent participants in the programme include Mary Liu and Caroline Williams, CEO and COO of junee who raised £250k at the end of 2021 to build a borrow-and-return system of reusable takeaway packaging which reduces the amount of single-use plastic used by restaurants.

Gabriela Hersham, CEO and Co-Founder, Huckletree, commented:

“At Huckletree, we’re committed to breaking down the barriers that underrepresented groups face when entering the entrepreneurial ecosystem. From gender and race to sexuality, education, and neurodivergence, Alpha supports a diverse cohort of entrepreneurs to access everything they need to supercharge their business. From FoodTech pioneers to FinTech challengers, since 2014, we have housed and supported  over 5,000 innovative companies and forward-thinking entrepreneurs looking to change our world for the better.”

Caroline Williams & Mary Liu, CEO and COO of junee commented:

“We took part in Huckletree’s Alpha Accelerator in 2021. The programme was great, and we really enjoyed the workshops focused on operations, commercials and hiring. The continued practice with Huckletree’s network of friendly investors really helped us with our pitch. We would definitely recommend the Alpha Accelerator to founders looking to raise funds in 2022.”

Aislinn Mahon, Alpha Accelerator Lead & General Manager, Huckletree Dublin, commented:

“This year, we will be supporting pre-seed startups who are focused on building tech solutions that will help cities around the world run more efficiently and sustainably. This includes areas like energy, transportation, mobility, emissions, cloud based solutions for smart cities and building design and structure. We’re excited to explore new ideas, and help support the next generation of entrepreneurs in Ireland and the UK.”

The Accelerator runs from 15th March – 3rd June 2022.

Applications are open until January 30th, and applicants can apply here.

See more Stories here.