Ernst & Young launches accelerator for high-potential entrepreneurs

Business services giant Ernst & Young (EY) has announced the launch of a new programme that will offer support to entrepreneurs with high potential.

Building on the success of their Ready, Set, Grow initiative, the firm’s redesigned programme is called Accelerating Entrepreneurs. It is intended support six entrepreneurs worldwide and help them scale their businesses upwards.

To apply, candidates need to be the owner, founder or chief executive of a private company that is two years old or more, with less than $50 million in sales over each of the last two financial years. They must also prove that they are ultimately responsible for their company’s recent successes.

Winners will receive support from EY and a dedicated speaking slot at their World Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The support available could make a real difference, as it includes a 90-minute session at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year event next June, where they will present their business plans to experts who will offer feedback and advice.

On top of that, they will also be able to network at the event through an all-expenses paid trip. One long-term benefit will be the chance to form ongoing mentoring relationships with winners and experts at the event.

The move also creates opportunities for EY to form relationships with promising businesses, enabling them to grow alongside each other.

Bryan Pearce, global leader of EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Venture Capital, says that Accelerating Entrepreneurs will give promising business people the chance to learn from industry leaders and take their businesses to the next stage.

“As enterprises scale up, they have a huge impact on their communities and the wider world through the jobs they create and the innovative products and services they offer. That’s why it’s so important we support them at this critical stage of their journey by opening up our network to them,” he added.

This programme is another example of the recent trend of big companies working closely with high-potential firms and effectively creating their own future customers.