IMPACT30
A cohort programme for young business leaders and entrepreneurs looking to develop the tools, skills and knowledge needed to enable growth.
Meet the team
Meet the highly skilled team delivering Pathfinder. During the course programme, they'll share their knowledge and guide you through the programme.
Jamie McCallum - Course Director
Jamie has over 10 years’ experience in the design and delivery of business innovation and growth. As a former tech CEO and as a business owner, he knows the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship but with his knowledge of business strategy, innovation and commercialisation he is excited to lead participants through the Pathfinder Programme.
Elizabeth Pirrie - Corporate Financing Expert
Elizabeth is a qualified accountant with over 20 years of experience, who has been using her skills and passion to support start-up businesses since 2012. As Chief Operating Officer at AccelerateHER she is privileged to work with female founders across many sectors enabling them to grow and scale their businesses.
Victoria McCallum - Project Manager
Victoria oversees the operational and project management of the Pathfinder Accelerator. Victoria was formerly Head of Marketing for Europe in a biotech multi-national where she led the team responsible for all marketing and communication across all of their European territories.
Evelyn Simpson - Expert Leadership Coach
Evelyn is a highly experienced business coach, trainer, mentor, and NXD. She is a self-confessed start-up geek and has worked extensively with high growth companies throughout the UK ecosystem. Evelyn has worked with start-ups and their founders on leadership, strategy and funding, advocating a disciplined and practical approach, and has a particular passion for supporting female founders.
Julia Shalet - Product Innovation Expert
Julia Shalet, Product Doctor, is an award-winning innovator, product consultant, qualitative researcher & trainer with more than 20 years experience. Her work has been recognised by the BBC, Guardian, Observer & Independent & her book, The Really Good Idea Test, was published by Pearson & won an Axiom Book Award in 2021.
Zach Sorrells - Programme Designer
Zach is the Head of Innovation and Product Development at Skillfluence. He’s been working at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development for over 20 years.His experiences range from supporting innovation with corporate teams to co-founder of a tech startup to startup sales coach. He believes in the power of storytelling, the transformative potential of great questions and approaches most challenges with systems mindset.
I went on it to be challenged and certainly was. I’m really glad I did, I wouldn’t have be online without it. Trialling the software was a real lightbulb moment that turned everything on its head for me and my business. I would 100% recommend Pathfinder.
The advice we received was invaluable and our business has gone from strength to strength thanks to the programme.
FAQs
Do you have a question about our Pathfinder programme? Find the answers to some of our frequently asked questions below
Two things. Speed and Action! By bringing together a highly experienced team of expert trainers, coaches and investors, Pathfinder Accelerator will help you to rapidly execute your venture in the shortest possible time. It will help you avoid costly pitfalls and rapidly increase your confidence as you evolve your ideas based on real-world action-orientated validation of your product, service, marketing, business model and more. You will have access to a network of experts and resources that you can tap into to bring your ideas to life. Plus, it's all designed so you can fit the programme around your busy schedule without the need to travel. You will be pushed to reach your goals and ensure your business is reaching its full potential.
The programme is open to small-medium size businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs related to the following industries: Life sciences, healthcare, animal health, aquaculture, technology, IT, or engineering.
This business should be based in the Highlands and Islands region and looking to launch a new product or service or changing your business model. This includes businesses using technology to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this.
Through a series of workshops, led by highly experienced trainers, the programme covers a range of business skills. These aim to help you boost your business and fast track the development, implementation and growth of new products, services, or business models. Topics covered in the programme include:
- Define and de-risk your venture
- Business model design
- Customer discovery
- Building and leading your team
- Funding your project
- Pitching to investors
- Scaling for growth
As part of the programme, you will have access to coaching, mentoring and the opportunity to work with experienced investors and roundtable events with subject experts.
We are recruiting for our programmes three times a year. If you have any questions, please contact the Pathfinder team.
Applications will usually close 2 weeks before the programme start date. The closing date for applications is 21 April 2023. If you have any questions, please contact the Pathfinder team.
The programme runs for 15 weeks. After this you will be invited to join our alumni events.
This programme is not additional work to squeeze into your already busy diary. It's designed to accelerate your existing commercialisation journey, helping you hit your goals sooner without wasting time going down rabbit-holes that you may have otherwise. It does this by taking you on a logical journey, with training and coaching from experts at every stage, giving you the confidence and accountability to encourage you to more rapidly set and execute key activities until you achieve your goals.
In practical terms, the programme is split into two three-month stages. In the first stage you will be required to attend one live online workshop for half a day per week. In the second stage you will be required to attend around one hour per week. Additional time will be required for 1-2-1 coaching and online learning activities throughout the programme.
The programme is free to attend. Funding will be provided by State Subsidy and you will receive a letter to notify you of the aid received.
After the programme you will have access to alumni resources including a news bulletin, roundtable events with industry and business experts.
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