Introducing The Collective Accelerator 2019

By 2050, it is estimated that 70% of the world’s population will live in cities. With more pressure added to the urban environment, come increasing challenges. Widening wealth gaps, evolving health problems, growing social isolation and finite environmental resources require us to act. The Collective Foundation was created to tackle these challenges head on. It was set up by The Collective to extend its impact beyond its spaces, to the neighbourhoods and cities in which we are based.
The Collective Foundation’s mission is to create communities in cities where people can thrive. We believe that in order to achieve this, people should feel included and connected with each other, have strong bodies and minds, live in a healthy and sustainable environment, and have access to opportunities for economic development. With this in mind we decided to focus our work across four areas: Opportunity, Inclusion, Health and Environment.
We believe entrepreneurship can create positive solutions to the challenges faced by cities today. This notion is at the core of our flagship programme: The Collective Accelerator, a 3-month programme that supports London-based social ventures to grow their business and impact. We identify ventures that are community-driven, innovative, sustainable and can impact one of our focus areas.
Then, we do everything we can to support them. The cohort goes through an intensive 12-week curriculum, attending group workshops, 1–1 coaching sessions, and networking events — all tailored to their needs. They receive introductions to a personal mentor, and to our strategic partners and investors. They also get access to The Collective’s spaces. Every business has different needs, so we work with all founders individually to create their own growth journey. After the programme, they become lifelong Alumni, and continue to receive support where needed.
This year, we are fortunate to be working with 6 outstanding social ventures. To meet them click here or read their summaries below.
Nemi Teas
NEMI Teas is a tea brand that empowers refugees by providing them with employment and leadership opportunities through selling eco-friendly, plastic-free and biodegradable teabags and loose-tea across the UK.
The Ocean Bottle
The Ocean Bottle is a durable reusable water bottle with a twist. Each sale funds the collection of 45 kgs (1000 plastic bottles) of ocean bound plastic in selected impoverished communities that contribute the most plastic to our oceans.
BuddyHub
BuddyHub exists to reduce loneliness and isolation in older people (50+) and promote a more active lifestyle. Using smart technology, they match one senior ‘Member’ to three like-minded ‘Buddy’ volunteers living in their community, creating friendship circles that are rewarding for everyone.
House of Cinn/Street Café
Street Café hosts weekly breakfast and dinner sessions for the homeless community in and around London to help integrate them back into society through social connection and a sense of community. House of Cinn sells baked goods to fund the expansion of Street Café.
Doyenne
Doyenne is a professional network platform for women that provides peer-to-peer and professional support to help women progress their careers, bringing career breakers back into workforce. The platform also connects users with progressive companies that are looking to hire experienced female talent.
Project Access
Project Access fights inequalities in admissions to top universities through a tech-enabled mentoring program. Their online platform matches disadvantaged students with a peer-mentor from their own country studying at their dream university. Alongside mentoring, they provide personalised modules with advice and information on how to succeed in their application.
If you’re keen to learn more about our current cohort, join us on Demo Day at our HQ in Bedford Square from 08:30am on 21 November to meet our amazing entrepreneurs and hear them pitch over a light breakfast. Or visit our website to learn more about The Collective Foundation.
