Start-up accelerator picks Yorkshire to help supercharge mission-driven firms
London start up accelerator, Unrest, has picked Yorkshire as the base for its next programme to supercharge businesses.
The accelerator, which ran its first programme in London and helped develop 16 businesses with goals including green agendas, diversity, fertility, improved mental health, will run its next hub from Sheffield and is encouraging businesses from across Yorkshire to apply.
The South Yorkshire Unrest Programme will start in September, and annually aims to support up to 30 North England-based, consumer-driven start-ups which positively impact on people’s lives.
By supporting these start-ups in its first programme outside the capital, Unrest hopes to tip the scales of investment and growth, accelerating businesses forward through workshops, one-to-ones, access to a similar business community and through exclusive opportunities with its partners.
It will be delivered in partnership with Capital Enterprise (UK) Limited and Barnsley Council, and is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund.
Orr Vinegold, Unrest Founder, said: “We first started in London in 2021 to support and accelerate start-ups changing the world.
Orr Vinegold
“We champion diversity of thought, background, and geography to support more businesses that reflect the makeup of our communities. And this is why we have chosen to expand to build our next impact accelerator programmes within South Yorkshire.
“Consumer demand for impact-driven brands is growing at a record-breaking pace with investment in these companies increasing six-fold from 2011 to 2019 — reaching over £5bn a year by the end of the decade.
“Venture capital investors are looking for purposeful brands with high growth potential – but none of the existing players are moving into the impact and consumer territory with a clear brand message – resulting in a shortage of investable start-ups in this space.”
In 2021, over 68% of all UK investment went solely to companies based in London, with the next largest investment region (the South East), receiving only 10%. In contrast, less than 1% of all UK investment went to Yorkshire.
Laura Bennett, regional lead, Capital Enterprise (UK) Limited, added: “The city of Sheffield has been recognised by Social Enterprise UK as a Social Enterprise Place, building on a long-standing history of social enterprises here, alongside new start-ups that have a social or environmental mission.
“We are thrilled that Unrest are bringing their expertise, experience, and networks to the region to supercharge 30 mission-driven businesses to think big and act globally – taking Yorkshire ingenuity and passion for social good to a national and international audience.”
Councillor Robert Frost, cabinet spokesman for regeneration and culture at Barnsley Council, said: “This is a brilliant programme for our region and for the TeamSY project, and we hope to see a number of Barnsley
businesses benefit from this.
“The accelerator is great for supporting businesses already creating a positive impact and opening them up to better investment potential.”
Unrest will run the South Yorkshire Programme in tandem with its London programme, with crossover events.
At the end of the programme, start-ups from South Yorkshire will be invited to London to pitch alongside their London cohort counterparts at an investor-filled Demo Day.
