Last Friday we celebrated the final session of our first Female Founders Accelerator!
Hatch programmes have always been very diverse (54% women, as compared to the majority of business incubators and accelerators in the UK that have 10-36%) and it was through this that we became aware of the unique challenges that women entrepreneurs face. After listening to over 100 female founders, we designed a programme in partnership with J.P. Morgan, that offers impactful business and leadership skills, whilst addressing the obstacles that women are more likely to experience than their male counterparts.
Response from our cohort, facilitators, coaches, expert speakers and mentors has been far greater than we could have ever imagined!
“I leave every session highly motivated, with new ideas and new ways of looking at my business. I’m very much enjoying the 1 to 1 business coaching, the female entrepreneurs sharing their journeys, and the inspiring women in the group – and we’re having fun!”– Rosie Goode, Founder of Hypnobirthing Works
We are currently recruiting for our next cohort. Read about our Female Founders’ experiences on the programme below, and secure your place on the next FFA today!
Case studies:
Sarah Bennett, Owner of Make Do And Mend
When Sarah joined the Female Founders Accelerator in February 2017 she was struggling with deciding how she wanted to grow her business. During the course she was given the opportunity to relocate to a larger retail space and found the course extremely applicable to her move. Expanding her business alongside the course was helpful, as the workshops addressed the points of transition she was struggling with most. “I gained the confidence to make important business decisions that were coming up at that time.”
Sarah’s coaching allowed her to delve deeper into the topics most important to her and to set up good processes for sustainable growth.
“The FFA really helped me realise what areas of my business needed more attention. It also forced me to take time away from the shop and really look at my business. This was initially quite challenging, but I quickly learned how crucial it is if you want your business to grow. I’ve recently employed someone so I can dedicate time to continuing this practice!”
Debbie joined the FFA to gain important business and leadership skills, and to explore the potential to position her business in a different way. As one of the youngest entrepreneurs on the programme, Debbie experienced a great deal of personal growth throughout the course, and discovered how her specific strengths can make her a strong leader.
“For me, the most important thing I’ve learned is the importance of having a great team! When I first started, I felt alone and I put so much pressure on myself to ensure the business succeeded- I felt like I needed to be great at everything. I now know that in the near future I can lead a team to ultimate success with clear direction, empathy and a strong belief in my values.”
See the full bios of Cohort 1 here
