Become a member

Accelerator

Helping businesses across the East Midlands to sustain, grow and innovate.

The Accelerator Programme is a series of projects designed to offer impactful support that will leave a lasting effect on your business plan. These projects are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber and will run until 31 March 2026.

The umbrella programme includes:

  • Derbyshire Accelerator – Supporting businesses to adopt new-to-the-firm technologies or processes that drive innovation and efficiency.
  • Nottingham Accelerator – Helping businesses to create jobs and/or implement new-to-the-firm technologies or processes to boost competitiveness, with a particular focus on digital and decarbonisation support.
  • Export Accelerator – Aimed at both new and existing exporters, this EMCCA project provides specialist support and grants to businesses seeking to research or launch a product or service to a new overseas market. This includes support on export readiness audits and planning, workshops and webinars, and SWOT analyses.
  • High Growth Accelerator – Designed for high-performing businesses that have achieved at least 20% annual growth in revenue, employment, or market share over each of the past three years.  This EMCCA project provides specialist support and grants to help create jobs, enhance productivity, and adopt new or improved products or services.
  • Accelerator Workshops – This EMCCA project is aimed at managers and senior leaders and covers a wide range of business growth and digital topics.
  • Leicester Accelerator – Helping Leicester businesses to create jobs and/or implement new-to-the-firm technologies or processes to boost competitiveness, with a particular focus on digital and decarbonisation support.

How do I sign up?

To access any of the Accelerator projects outlined above, businesses must formally register by providing the following information on the Registration Form.

Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire based businesses should complete the Accelerator Registration Form.

 

 

 

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is providing £25.17 million of funding for local investment across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 2025/26. This funding, distributed by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), aims to boost pride in place and increase life chances in the region. The investment will focus on supporting communities and businesses, as well as developing skills for individuals.

For more information, visit: UK Shared Prosperity Fund: 2025/26 Technical Note – GOV.UK

Accelerator Registration Form

Leicester City based businesses should complete the Leicester Accelerator Registration Form.

Leicester Accelerator Registration Form

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.