Incubator Hub Eligibility Criteria and Application
ACC INCUBATOR HUB APPLICATION PROCESS FOR AFRICAN HERITAGE BUSINESSES DELIVERED IN COLLABORATION WITH EMPOWER BIZ
BACKGROUND:
There is a wide range of business incubators in the UK catering to startups and more developed companies across a variety of sectors, with the majority focussing on early to mid-stage companies. Typically, incubators will be either private or government / University operated. Private Incubators charge rent for office space, ranging from £200 to £1,000 per month, depending on location and amenities. Government or University-Operated Incubators, often subsidized and sometimes free, usually require application and acceptance into their programs.
The African Caribbean Centre (‘ACC’) Business Hub is a first of kind for Leicester and has been developed through capital funds received through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Launched in February this year, this application process is for businesses wishing to apply to join one of our Incubator Business Cohorts, to be delivered over the coming year.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Please see process chart at Appendix A which depicts our Incubator Hub journey. To apply, businesses must be existing Empower Biz participants. The target group is African heritage businesses falling into one of the ‘eligibility criteria’ categories below:
- Startup incubators – For businesses starting, in an early stage or who have yet to set up. (In business for less than 5 years).
- Business incubators – For businesses at any stage from early to mid, looking to scale up or take business to another level/new direction and require support to do this. (In business for 5 years +).
HOW WILL IT WORK?
The process in Appendix A will be repeated for subsequent cohorts over the year. Successful Cohort 1 businesses incubators will be able to access the hub following an induction briefing with Empower Biz Advisors to formally confirm sign up to the programme. As indicated in Appendix A, we anticipate this will be from week beginning 5th May.
Incubator hub support will be for a period of 3-months, during which time you will receive tailored and bespoke support through Empower Biz Advisors. Details will be confirmed at your induction meeting and informed by your application. Business Advisors will monitor your progress against desired outcomes, to feed into your ‘Case Study Testimonial’ which is all that we ask of you for participating. On your first day working in the hub, you will receive an induction tour of the hub and wider ACC building, so you know your way around and understand key health & safety and wider building related requirements.
You will also receive a fob on loan to access the hub during your cohort period. Please note that this is for your personal use only and not to be shared or given to anyone else under any circumstances. Failure to adhere to this requirement could jeopardise your personal incubation tenancy period. There is also a £12.00 (refundable) deposit in case of loss of, which will need to be paid upfront, with the deposit retained until returned. You can still access the hub after your Cohort ends as a regular hub user. We hope that you will stay connected to share your success with others!
For any queries and to submit your completed form, please email: info@empowerbiz.org.uk. (Due by Midnight on 30/04/2025).
MEET OUR BUSINESS ADVISORS
CORNELIUS MUYUNDA
Cornelius is a trained financial profession with a career that spans several sectors and professions. Starting
his career in Operations Management after acquiring his accounting qualifications, Cornelius developed
into a practical and progressive professional, managed various franchises and organisations, coached and
trained middle management and executives, senior management and business owners. His MBA
qualification further enhanced his all rounded strategic approach to organisations.
Since 2008, working under East Midlands Business Ltd and later East Midlands Development Agency,
Cornelius has worked with several companies as part of the business recovery team and later as part of the
high growth team. These roles allowed him to work closely with company directors to develop and execute
the strategic growth plans, drive strategic financial inputs and processes to support continued growth,
manage and control financial activities including monthly, statutory & year-end accounting and deliver high
level commercial finance support including business performance reviews & analysis.
In addition, Cornelius has helped companies to refinance by coordinating financial institutions and
providing the necessary information required for attracting the finance. He also provides insightful analysis
and support regarding contract negotiations with major key clients. He also was involved in several
business start-ups and also worked with organisations requiring services including company restructuring,
sourcing finance, business growth analysis and researching into new market expansion.
This led to Cornelius being recognised as an Ethnic Minority Business Champion in Nottingham and sat on
the Loan Panel for Smalls Loans for Business. He later became an advocate for the economic benefit of
Ethnic Minority businesses in the UK, liaising with Government ministers and linking local policy with
organisations across the UK.
He led several research projects including one in 2012 in collaboration with Nottingham City Council to
investigate barriers to employment for Nottingham ethnic minority groups. The impact of this report
produced a trusted intermediary group as an intermediary and advocacy channel for ethnic minorities
group. It also impacted the decision to spearhead the Nottingham Job Fund initiative.
He later joined Octavian Security as Group Financial Controller, responsible for all aspects of the Group
financial management and monitoring of the internal control environment including the management of
the risk assessment process and embedding a risk management culture throughout the organisation,
development & execution of Group’s taxation strategy and ensuring returns for Corporation tax, VAT and
other relevant taxes are submitted, payments made on time and all relevant regulations are complied with.
He also plays an active role in driving Groups global growth strategy into the Middle East, Africa and the
USA.
Originally from Zambia, Cornelius has developed strategic international business relations within the
African continent and this has led to his appointment as Director of Africa, is responsible for developing
strategic partnerships in each country, developing and executing the corporate expansion strategy
for the region.
ALFRED BAWAK
Alfred is a dedicated, reliable and result-driven business consultant with a successful background in the achievement of profitable business growth.
He has plus 20 years’ experience working with small and medium sized businesses across various sectors (retail, manufacturing, food and drink, construction, automotive, enterprise technology and business services) diagnosing their business needs, leading to the implementation of action plans for growth.
His passion for providing funding solutions businesses, has given him the skills, knowledge and contacts to write and source funding from various funding bodies including, Universities, Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s), other private, public, and voluntary sector providers.