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Accelerator Programme Cohort 4   

MSDUK Accelerator’s mission is to develop the ethnic minority businesses of today, so they become the diverse suppliers and leaders of tomorrow. Our applications are now open for Cohort 4. We aim to educate, challenge and connect B2B early-stage ventures in order to help brilliant founders realise their full potential.   

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Since the programme’s inception in June 2021, the MSDUK Accelerator has successfully provided an extensive range of resources and support to 88 entrepreneurs from various ethnic minority backgrounds. Through our programme, we have provided interactive sessions, guest workshops, and masterclasses amounting to over 160 hours, alongside offering numerous hours of personalised mentoring and 1-2-1 support.  

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let us now look at how the MSDUK Accelerator empowered WorkFA, a mission-driven initiative for inclusive spaces and how their initial skepticism of tasks turned into appreciation for their immediate impact. 

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About  Work FA

Beez came into the MSDUK Accelerator with the purpose of taking part in a learning curriculum which covered areas he wanted to gain more knowledge in whilst being surrounded by founders who were on a similar journey. He came away from the programme with not only insightful learnings and resources but also a real sense of camaraderie shared amongst the cohort.  

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“Our mission is to create accessible spaces, places, and organisations, especially for disabled people. I applied to the MSDUK Accelerator for a few reasons because I was interested in the learnings the programme offered and I knew that I would be part of a cohort of peers from different backgrounds and experiences who were on a similar journey to myself. Also, I was interested in being part of the wider MSDUK network where we could meet and connect with corporate buyers and potential clients.  

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I was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience of being on the programme. The learning curriculum was insightful, and the cohort was full of varied and interesting businesses. There was a real sense of camaraderie among these founders who were from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and industries. As a result, the way I operate WorkFA following the programme has shifted in terms of how I want to communicate my offering, how I want people to perceive the business, and even how confident I feel as a founder in articulating my offering.” – Beez, Founder and CEO of WorkFA

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New Ways of Learning 

There were three modules that stood out to me on the programme: ‘Growth Marketing’, ‘Sales and Communication’, and ‘Pitching’. Each of these modules and the different styles each facilitator brought in allowed me to leave the sessions with practical tips, knowledge, and advice that I could implement.  

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Whilst I have previously come across a lot of the learnings and information in some form as an entrepreneur, the way they were presented by the facilitators was new and allowed me to see certain challenges and assumptions in a different light. For example, in ‘Sales and Communication’, the concept of selling was explained in a way that took away the fear of having to become a salesperson for my business. Rather than trying to sell to potential clients, I am instead offering value to them which they can benefit from. The idea of we are exchanging value rather than purely selling my services changed my perspective of sales being solely about money and profits. 

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Importance of Implementation 

Ironically, when starting the programme, the module tasks were an element I believed I wasn’t going to enjoy. However, when I began completing the tasks, I began to see the value in them. The tasks didn’t take up a lot of time and were practical so I could implement them into my business straightaway.  

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For example, the ‘Growth Marketing’ task was focused around making sure my website was offering relevant information and value so that it creates a good first impression. This made me step back and realise how important it is to ensure that first impressions are always good through communication and branding. Additionally, the ‘Sales and Communication’ task was focused on clarifying and summarising what my business does, and I enjoyed the process of understanding what I really want to communicate to my audience.  

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Beez’s Biggest Takeaway 

My biggest takeaway from the programme is knowing that there is always room to grow no matter what type of person you are or what stage your business is at. It is important to note that this programme was intensive so whatever efforts you put in, that is what you’ll get out of it. Whilst there is a lot of value that the programme offers, you must keep on top of it. Attending the sessions live as they are happening rather than catching up later means that you will have the opportunity to absorb the learnings and ask any relevant questions.  

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